Forests & Biodiversity

A force for planetary health

What's at Stake

Forests are critical to every living thing on Earth. Not only do they give us clean air, shelter, and rain, they house 80 percent of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity. Alarmingly, humans have destroyed half of the world’s tropical forests and driven extinction rates up thousands of times higher than what is natural.

Climate & Nature

Forests are a powerful natural climate solution. As trees grow, they absorb and store carbon emissions, while releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. 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

Strong Forests

0.4% deforestation rate

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

In Guatemala’s Maya Biosphere Reserve, twelve community forestry concessions safeguard around 417,269 hectares of the largest and most important tropical forest north of the Amazon. These community-run concessions boast a near-zero deforestation rate—a remarkable feat given that adjacent areas suffer some of the highest deforestation rates in the Americas.

Learn more

*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.

Thriving Biodiversity

45,000 trees

80 elephant-friendly farms*

From 2020 through 2021, farmers we work with in the buffer zone of Indonesia’s Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park planted 45,000 trees in the area directly bordering the park. In addition, we identified 80 farms that sit in a wildlife corridor used by the critically endangered Sumatran elephant. We supported these farmers in planting species that suit the elephants’ diet.

Learn more

*Data accurate as of December 2022

Our Work: Forests & Biodiversity

Together with forest and farming communities, Indigenous leaders, companies, governments, and global citizens, the Rainforest Alliance works in 58 countries to promote more sustainable land management practices while cultivating thriving rural economies—the most widely proven strategy to restore biodiversity and keep our tropical forests standing.

All resources for Forests & Biodiversity

Filter by

Announcing the Smallholder Access Program, an Innovative Approach to Responsible Forest Certification

The Smallholder Access Program seeks to make Forest Stewardship Council® certification more accessible to private landowners of 250 or fewer acres. The Rainforest Alliance, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and a consortium of forward-minded forestry corporations announce the launch of the Smallholder Access Program. FSC, long considered the gold standard of ecologically-responsible, socially-conscious forest management, has […]

Press Release
July 16, 2019

The Rainforest Alliance Recognizes Bold Commitments to a More Sustainable Future

The Rainforest Alliance has dedicated more than three decades to amplifying the voices of farmers and forest communities, improving livelihoods, protecting biodiversity, and helping people mitigate and adapt to climate change in bold and effective ways. In partnership with these communities, as well as companies large and small, the Rainforest Alliance works to affect change […]

Press Release
May 7, 2019