People and forests

Indigenous Peoples and traditional forest-related knowledge

FAO/Brent Stirton Getty images for FAO CIRAD CIFOR WCS

Micro, small and medium-scale forest enterprises

News

Indonesia’s social forestry programme, now supported by FAO-UNEP, has turned once barren and unproductive land into thriving forests dotted with agricultural fields. ©UNEP/Taufany Eriz

Social forestry creates lush landscapes in place of barren land in Indonesia

28/08/2023

Communities take on the management of their forests, reversing deforestation and securing livelihoods.

Felled logs are inspected and numbered before loading at Chetumal in Quintana Roo

Forest work must be made safer and healthier, says new FAO-ILO-UNECE report

04/07/2023

A systemic change is needed to provide a safe and healthy working environment for the estimated 33 million people working in the forest sector worldwide.

FAO initiative validates new advocacy strategy to boost women’s capacities to scale up gender-responsive policy making

25/05/2023

A new advocacy strategy to scale up dryland women’s participation in climate change policy discussions was officially validated by WeCaN members at the initiative’s first Global Gathering today.

Publications

Occupational safety and health in the future of forestry work

2023

Forests continue to be one of the most hazardous industrial workplaces, with those working in forests exposed to considerable occupational safety and health risks. This report identifies trends and opportunities as well as challenges to promote safe and healthy working conditions in the forest sector.

Enabling farmer-led ecosystem restoration

2023

Farmer field schools on forestry and agroforestry can enable smallholders to advance the understanding, skills and social organization needed for more regenerative natural resource stewardship.

Building sustainable capacity to manage impacts between huumans and wildlife for different stakeholder groups

Building sustainable capacity to manage impacts between humans and wildlife for different stakeholder groups

2023

In northwest Zimbabwe, the Hurungwe district experiences high levels of human-wildlife conflict. This case study highlights innovative human-wildlife conflict prevention and mitigation strategies, alternative livelihood options and livestock disease management approaches.

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.

Grass charcoal production in Ghana

01/08/2023

In Ghana, small producers are revolutionizing the production of charcoal. By using savanna grasses to make charcoal briquettes producers promote renewable...

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...

Restoring land and livelihoods with beekeeping in Tanzania

20/05/2023

In northern Tanzania, recurring drought in recent years caused by climate change has put pressure on communities who make their livelihoods by keeping...

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...

Sustainable wood: Climate-friendly cities

01/12/2022

Find more videos on the FAO Forestry YouTube playlist

Sustainable wood: Housing a growing population

27/10/2022

A growing population means more buildings to fit everyone. By 2030, we will have to house an additional 3 billion people. Using wood from sustainably...

Sustainable Wood: Building the future

13/10/2022

Wood can be a material of the future, helping to build a bio-economy for the planet's health and economic recovery. Durable “cross-laminated timber”...

Indigenous Peoples’ food systems

06/08/2021

This video provides an overview on the common and unique sustainability elements of Indigenous Peoples' food systems.

International Day of Forests 2021: Forest restoration – a path to recovery and well-being

21/03/2021

Restoring forests helps build a healthier world for ourselves and for future generations. By replanting and managing forests sustainably, we can help...