In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests (IDF). It's a day to celebrate and and raise awareness of the huge importance of all kinds of forests around the world.
Every year, people across the planet are encouraged to co-ordinate and take part in local, national, and international efforts to organise actions involving forests, for example tree planting .
The theme for each International Day of Forests is chosen by the Collaborative Partnership on Forests. Last year it was "Forests and Biodiversity: too precious to lose", for 2021 it is "Forest restoration: a path to recovery and well-being".
Take a Treefie
One fun way to be a part of IDF 2021 that you can do right now is to take part in the photo contest. The theme of this year's competition is: Celebrate a tree that supports your well-being!
You don't even have to go on a long adventure into the depths of the forest for this one, the point is to take photos of the closest tree to your home that makes you feel better. It can be any tree that you feel adds to your wellbeing: perhaps It bears delicious fruit, or it has bark or leaves that can be used in a traditional remedy, or maybe it’s a tree you like to climb or that simply cheers you up with its colourful leaves or blossoms.
Healthy trees and forests mean healthy people. Forests provide health benefits for everyone on the planet, from fresh air and nutritious foods and ingredients for medicine to clean water and space for recreation.
Take a picture, tell them why you’ve chosen that tree, send it in and you could win a tablet computer, though of course you aren't in this just for the prize, right?
The deadline for entries is 12 March 2021 at 12:00 CET.
Entries will be judged in three categories and the prize for each category will be a tablet computer.
- Children from 6 to 14 years old
- Youth aged 15 to 24 years old
- Adults over the age of 24 years old
How do you enter?
To enter the contest, just follow these three steps:
- Take a photo of the closest tree to your home that makes you feel better or adds to your wellbeing.
- Fill in the online entry form and explain what your photo shows and why you have chosen that particular tree.
- Don’t forget to post your photo on social media using the International Forest Day hashtag: #IntlForestDay.
You can get all of the info, read all of the terms and conditions, and submit your entry on the FAO website: International Day of Forests
