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Home » Issues » Forests

Forests

A force for planetary health

What's at Stake

Source of air, water, food, shelter, medicine: Forests are critical to the survival of every living thing on Earth. 1.6 billion people live near forests and depend on them to live. Yet, alarmingly, deforestation rates are accelerating—triggering a global chain reaction of increased greenhouse gas emissions, rising temperatures, and devastating forest fires.

Learn more about...


  • Biodiversity
  • Community forestry
  • Deforestation

Trees: Our Best Defense Against Climate Change

Forests are a powerful natural climate solution. As they grow, trees absorb carbon emissions, converting them into clean oxygen. In fact, conserving forests could cut an estimated 7 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide each year—the equivalent of getting rid of every car on the planet.

Our Impact


The Rainforest Alliance has developed innovative, farm and landscape-level strategies to tackle tropical deforestation—a proven, 360-degree approach that addresses not only immediate environmental threats, but also the underlying economic pressures that contribute to them.

Strong Forests

0.4% deforestation rate

in the forest concessions of the Maya Biosphere Reserve, Guatemala*

In Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve, nine forestry concessions safeguard around 353,000 hectares of the largest and most important tropical forest north of the Amazon. These community-run concessions have boasted a near-zero deforestation rate since 2004—a remarkable feat given that adjacent areas suffer some of the highest deforestation rates in the Americas.

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*Community forestry concessions in Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve have demonstrated a near-zero deforestation rate, since data collection began in 2000. Data accurate as of December 2019.

Our Crisis Mobilization to the Amazon Fires

USD $1.2 million

raised in emergency funds*

Following the catastrophic fires that engulfed the Amazon in 2019, we raised more than US $1.2 million to help scale up the crisis mobilization of frontline organizations across the region—including essential fire-combat equipment for community fire brigades, and efforts to tackle the root cause of the fires: deforestation.

Learn more

*Data accurate as of May 2020

Our Work: Forests


Together with forest and farming communities, Indigenous leaders, companies, governments, and global citizens, the Rainforest Alliance works in 70 countries to promote more sustainable land management practices and cultivate thriving rural economies—the most widely proven strategy to keep our tropical forests standing.

aerial view of tropical forest canopy
Article

Our Mission to Protect the World’s Forests

We are working in 60+ countries to build sustainable, rural economies—a proven strategy to keep our forests standing.... Continue Reading
Learn More
Article

The World’s Best Forest Guardians: Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous peoples and local communities have an unsurpassed connection to the Earth's forests. ... Continue Reading
Learn More
The Maya Biosphere reserve, in Guatemala, is one of the leading examples of community forestry success worldwide
Article

Community: The Secret to Stopping Deforestation in Guatemala

The forest concessions of the Maya Biosphere Reserve have boasted a near-zero deforestation rate for 20 years.... Continue Reading
Learn More
rainforest destruction in guatemala
Article

Our 360 Approach to Stopping Rainforest Destruction

Our proven approach to protecting forests puts communities and livelihoods first.... Continue Reading
Learn More

All resources for Forests


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Article

Where Wildlife and Farming Thrive Together: A Photo Essay

Tea gardens are rich in biodiversity. Check out some of the beautiful images of wildlife that Sandeepan Bhattacharjee has captured while working on tea estates.

Published on December 21, 2022

Article

Indonesian Coffee Farmers Help Conserve Biodiversity in Iconic National Park

We're training coffee farmers in the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park buffer zone to help them conserve biodiversity and improve their livelihoods.

Published on December 17, 2022

Article

Our Work to Prevent Forest Fires

Protecting forests is at the heart of the Rainforest Alliance’s mission, which is why our interventions work to prevent forest fires in precious tropical landscapes.

Published on December 16, 2022

insects could vanish altogether within a century. It’s urgent that we do all we can to save insects.
Article

Stopping the Insect Apocalypse: Tips on How You Can Help Save Insects

Here are some things you can do in your daily life to support our many-legged friends.

Published on December 13, 2022

Al Jazeera
Media Coverage

Can a new triple alliance save rainforests from ruin?

Published on December 6, 2022 | Al Jazeera

Brazil, Indonesia, and DR Congo have now formed a tripartite alliance aimed at better preserving tropical rainforests amid the worsening global climate emergency.

The secret to successful landscape management lies in the local communities
Article

Thriving Communities, Healthy Landscapes

We're helping more than two million farmers embrace more sustainable growing practices that can help build resilience to climate change and boost yields.

Published on November 29, 2022

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The Rainforest Alliance is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit registered in the US under EIN: 13-3377893.

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In 2021, 77% of our income supported sustainability programs. Learn More »

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