Forestry

Piloting interactive teaching modules in Tanzania ©FAO IR Media

Forest education

Why forest education is important

People are increasingly disconnected from nature, and there is a widespread lack of awareness and understanding of forests and their benefits. By educating people about forests and sustainability, we can create a pathway towards a greener, more resilient future.

But a global assessment by FAO, the International Tropical Timber Organization (ITTO) and the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) found that, in many countries, forest education in primary and secondary schools is insufficient.

Those who work in forests, from private owners and companies to local communities, need information and training to manage the many challenges arising in the sector. Forest education can help create a generation capable of managing forests sustainably and thereby foster more inclusive, resilient and sustainable societies and a healthier planet.

FAO's work

FAO, supported by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), has promoted forest education through two recent projects:

The Global Forest Education Project

Led by FAO, ITTO and IUFRO, this project focused on enhancing efforts in forest education at the national and local levels in developing countries, including through regional assessments and a global assessment of the status of forest education.

Forests for a Sustainable Future: Educating Children

The aim of this project, which is expected to finish in 2024, is to improve forest literacy among children aged 9–12 years through interactive forest teaching modules for primary schools.

Publications

Forests for a sustainable future
Forests for a sustainable future: Teacher's book – Module 2 Forests, health and well-being
2024

Designed for primary school children in Grades 3–5 in the United Republic of Tanzania, these education modules use an innovative teaching method, involving...

Forests for a sustainable future: education modules for primary schools
Forests for a sustainable future: Pupil's book – Module 1 Forest products, plants and animals
2024

Designed for primary school children in Grades 3–5 in the United Republic of Tanzania, these education modules use an innovative teaching method, involving...

Forests for a sustainable future
Forests for a sustainable future: Pupil's book –  Module 3 Forests and the climate
2024

Designed for primary school children in Grades 3–5 in the United Republic of Tanzania, these education modules use an innovative teaching method, involving...

Forests for a sustainable future
Forests for a sustainable future: Teacher's book – Module 1 Forest products, plants and animals
2024

Designed for primary school children in Grades 3–5 in the United Republic of Tanzania, these education modules use an innovative teaching method, involving...

Forests for a sustainable future
Forests for a sustainable future: Pupil's book – Module 2 Forests, health and well-being
2024

Designed for primary school children in Grades 3–5 in the United Republic of Tanzania, these education modules use an innovative teaching method, involving...

Module 3 Forests and the climate
Forests for a sustainable future: Teacher's book – Module 3 Forests and the climate
2024

Designed for primary school children in Grades 3–5 in the United Republic of Tanzania, these education modules use an innovative teaching method, involving...

Guidance on developing forest education programmes for primary schools
Guidance on developing forest education programmes for primary schools
2023

New guidance from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations sets out how countries can introduce an innovative programme in primary...

Global assessment of forest education
2022

This report reveals some overarching actions that would benefit forest education, including ameliorating a negative public image of professional forest-related...

Videos

Forests for a sustainable future: educating children — testing lessons in the Philippines
01/03/2024

Children in primary school today will play a significant role in bringing about the changes needed to ensure a sustainable future for forests.

Forests for a sustainable future: Educating children in Tanzania
01/07/2023

FAO is teaching children in Tanzania about the importance of managing forests sustainably. A three-year-project funded by Germany has developed forest...

Forests for a sustainable future: educating children — testing lessons in Tanzania
01/05/2023

Children in primary school today will play a significant role in bringing about the changes needed to ensure a sustainable future for forests. “Forests...

Forests and education
25/02/2021

Learning to understand our forests and providing children with a foundation to better understand their importance is a critical step to safeguarding...

New initiative to scale up forest education worldwide
31/12/2019

Failing to make bigger investments in forest education will have economic, social and environmental consequences, particularly with regard to nature...

Investing in forest education for a sustainable future
21/09/2018

Providing students with a foundation to better understand the vital role of forests is a critical step to safeguarding natural resources for future...