2011 has been designated the International Year of Forests by the United Nations with the aim of raising awareness about sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests.
The International Year of Forests 2011 logo is designed to convey the theme of “Forests for People”, celebrating the central role of people in the sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of our world’s forests.
The iconographic elements in the design depict some of the multiple values of forests and the need for a 360 degree perspective: forests provide shelter to people and habitat to biodiversity; are a source of food, medicine and clean water; and play a vital role in maintaining a stable global climate and environment. All of these elements taken together reinforce the message that forests are vital to the survival and well-being of people everywhere, all 7 billion of us.
The website www.un.org/en/events/iyof2011/ has been created as a global platform to celebrate people’s action to sustainably manage the world’s forests. It includes information regarding events being organised throughout the International Year as well as interactive web tools and resources to promote dialogue on forests.