Forests
To avert climate disaster, look to land: study
New research will help tropical countries protect and restore their lands — while averting climate disaster.
1 in 4 people depend directly on forests for their livelihoods.
Forests make life possible
As many as 120 prescription drugs worldwide derive directly from plants found in forests.
Deforestation accounts for 11 percent of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.
What we do
The challenge
The world has lost nearly half its forests for agriculture, development or resource extraction. Yet the value of the benefits that standing forests provide is immense: Tropical forests alone account for at least 30 percent of the global mitigation action needed to halt climate change. Yet this value remains largely invisible.
The vision
Conservation International strives to protect tropical forests around the world, working directly with the communities who live in, and depend on, these forests. Through science, policy and partnerships, we work to show that forests are worth more standing than cut down.
Help Protect Forests
People need forests. Protect an acre for $25, and you help create a healthier, more productive planet for nature and for people.
How we work
Conservation International uses a science-based approach to prioritize the most important forests and the benefits they provide; to quantify the value of those benefits for decision-makers; to protect them sustainably for the long term; and to monitor their ongoing protection and health.
© Benjamin Drummond
Prioritize
Conservation International teams with local partners, communities and experts to identify and map the world’s “natural capital” — the ecosystems that provide the most benefits to humanity. The world’s forests are key stores of this natural capital, as they regulate climate, harbor biodiversity and regulate water flows.
Read more:
© Adrián Portugal
Value
Knowing the economic value of the benefits that forests provide can make forests’ contribution to livelihoods and economies visible, enabling smarter decisions. Conservation International has developed innovative ways to quantify the value of forests so that countries and companies can measure their impact — and reliance — on forests.
Read more:
© Charlie Shoemaker
Protect
Conservation International employs an array of tools and approaches to create long-term protections for forest ecosystems and the benefits they provide, including livelihoods and community well-being.
Read more:
© Benjamin Drummond
Monitor
Around the world, Conservation International monitors forests to both ensure their health and to ensure the long-term success of our work. Monitoring serves as an early-warning system for destructive trends and helps us target conservation efforts.
Read more:
News from the CI Blog
Forests
Expert: To restore Earth’s forests, ‘help nature run its course’
In a recent article, Conservation International's restoration expert extolled the effectiveness of an innovative scientific technique to help forests grow: leaving them alone.
Forests
2019 in review: The Amazon burned. What happened — and what happens now?
This month, Conservation News is revisiting some of the most interesting and significant stories and issues we covered in 2019.
Forests
This holiday, give gifts that give back to nature
Here the 6 top picks from Conservation International's 2019 holiday gift guide.
Forests
What on Earth are 'natural climate solutions'?
In this installment of "What on Earth?" we explore the importance of "natural climate solutions" — and why nature has a p.r. problem.
Forests
Spider sleepovers, shark sightings and other spooky tales from the field
Are your eyes deceiving you — or is that spot on the wall crawling toward you? In honor of Halloween, Conservation International staff share some wild encounters with the natural world that still give them goosebumps.
Offset Your Carbon Footprint
You can assess your household’s annual carbon footprint — or a single trip or event — and offset your impact.© Trond Larsen
‘I’ve seen just about everything.’
The Redwood speaks for all trees. Why are they disappearing?© Gary Weathers
Spread the Word
Tell the world that protecting valuable forests is vital to human well-being.© William Crosse
Stay Informed
Stay up to date on our work protecting the most critical forest around the globe.
