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
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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.
*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.
*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.
The World’s Best Forest Guardians: Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous peoples and local communities have an unsurpassed connection to the Earth's forests. ... Continue Reading
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
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.... Continue Reading
All resources for Forests & Biodiversity
Protecting Wildlife by Conserving Habitat
The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve or enrich wildlife habitat—the destruction of which is the gravest threat to nearly all species.... Continue Reading
Public Consultation Period Opens on New Accountability Framework
Ten leading environmental and social NGOs are collaborating to develop a global Accountability Framework to accelerate and guide the implementation of ethical supply chain commitments related to reducing deforestation and protecting human rights.
Smallholder Forestry Creating Benefits at Scale: The Case of the Quiché Forestry Association, Guatemala
Guatemala is a global leader in community forestry, having devolved control over forest resources to local actors in many parts of the country. While the Maya Biosphere Reserve’s community forestry concessions are well-known, a host of smaller forest-based enterprises in other parts of the country is taking on increasing importance. These enterprises, though incipient, are […]
Your Clothes Might Be Destroying the Rainforest
Rayon might seem like a better alternative to petroleum-based synthetic fabrics, but it’s often made from trees in old-growth forests.
Project Profile: Meso-American Sustainable Forestry Program
Using traditional indigenous knowledge, data, and best practices for a sustainable tamshi harvest... Continue Reading
Project Profile: Transforming Indigenous Economies
After decades of struggle for land rights, Peru’s indigenous communities now own approximately 15 million hectares of the country’s roughly 70 million hectares of mega-diverse Amazon forestlands. While securing rights is a key first step, tenure alone will not keep forests standing. Growing global demand for gold, petroleum, cocoa, timber, and oil palm is causing widespread deforestation and environmental degradation in indigenous territories. Expansion of these industries–typically without...... Continue Reading