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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.
What's at Stake
Source of air, water, food, shelter, medicine: Forests are critical to the survival of every living thing on Earth. They also provide livelihoods for 1.6 billion people. Yet, alarmingly, deforestation rates are accelerating—triggering a global chain reaction of increased greenhouse gas emissions, rising temperatures, and devastating forest fires.
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, 11 forestry concessions safeguard around 500,000 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.
*11 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.
*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.
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Why Our Forests Are Burning
The answer is complex, but at the root of it all: a destructive combination of climate change and reckless land use.
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Our 360 Approach to Stopping Rainforest Destruction
Our proven approach to protecting forests puts communities and livelihoods first.
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Community: The Secret to Stopping Deforestation in Guatemala
Learn how communities have achieved a near-zero deforestation rate for the last 14 years.
All resources for Forests
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Media Coverage
What are nature-based solutions and how can they be harnessed to tackle climate change?
Santiago Gowland, Chief Executive Officer at Rainforest Alliance, describes why nature-based solutions are so important, what is needed to scale them up, and how can policymakers make the most of them.
Project Profile: Stopping deforestation and improving livelihoods with community forestry in the Congo Basin
Sitting in the heart of the Congo Basin, the 36,000 square kilometer Salonga National Park (SNP) is the largest protected area of dense rainforest on the African continent.[Read more...]
Topics: In the Field
CEO Santiago Gowland on CNN’s Call to Earth Broadcast
CNN’s Julia Chatterley spoke with the Rainforest Alliance’s CEO Santiago Gowland about what our frog seal represents, the connection between thriving nature and livelihoods, and the importance of climate adaptation.[Read more...]
Topics: Insights
Case Study
2020-2025 Strategy: Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve
For rural, isolated communities in Guatemala, natural capital is the people’s greatest wealth. Since 1997, the Rainforest Alliance has worked with community forestry concessions to strengthen their
View: 2020-2025 Strategy: Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve
One-sheets
Natural Climate Solutions
To prevent a global climate catastrophe, we must cut worldwide carbon emissions nearly in half by 2030. The good news is that we know what needs to be done. Natural climate solutions—such as forest
View: Natural Climate Solutions
Topics: Insights
Media Coverage
OPINION: Let’s show our children we can do more than talk on climate change
Santiago Gowland, Chief Executive Officer of the Rainforest Alliance, explains that investing in nature can help shift the climate crisis.
