International Day of Forest

Forests cover one-third of the earth land mass, perform vital functions, and support the livelihoods of

1.6 billion people. They are essential for human survival, but human activity has damaged them. Every

year, approximately 12 million hectares of forest are destroyed.

Forests are home to more than half of the world’s land-based animals, plants, and insects. They combat

climate change because of their capacity to remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it, which is

called forest mitigation. Forests also buffer the impacts of storms and floods. By feeding our rivers,

forests supply drinking water for nearly half of the world’s largest cities. They also provide shelter, jobs,

and security for forest-dependent populations.

Every March 21st is International Day of the Forest. The 2025 International Day of Forests theme was

"Forests and Foods", a theme chosen to highlight the role of forests in food security, nutrition, and

sustainable livelihoods, especially in host communities living closer to forests. This year’s theme

promotes biodiversity and climate change mitigation due to forest protection.

The first weekly wildlife episode will speak to the project coordinator at the Olokemeji Forest Reserve

Restoration project - managed by IITA Forest Centre. Situated between the Nigerian mega-cities of

Abeokuta and Ibadan, the Olokemeji Forest Reserve spans about 5,900 hectares and is one of southwest

Africa's largest forest reserves that has suffered severe degradation due to unsustainable exploitation

and farming practices.

But with the restoration project, which involves replanting trees and enforcement efforts that have

reduced illegal logging inside the forest reserve.

In addition, and most importantly, IITA forest centre launched sustainable socio-economic programmes

like bee-keeping, empowering former loggers and hunters to participate in the project.

This episode will speak with the Olokemeji Forest Reserve project coordinator to discuss the intersection

between forest, food and wildlife protection.