21 March 2013: On the occasion of the first International Day of Forests, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) has released a 360° view of forests based on information gathered during the International Year of Forests in 2011.

The report, titled “Joint Press Releases: An initiative of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests in the International Year of Forests 2011,” contains press releases issued by CPF members during the Year including: stories released on World Wetlands Day that highlight the links between forests, wetlands, water and people; stories released on the occasion of International Women’s Day on the need to prioritize the increased participation of women in forest decision-making; and stories for Earth Day on the importance of community participation in forest management. Additional releases on the value of dry forests are presented for the World Day to Combat Desertification, while for the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, stories focus on indigenous peoples’ participation in REDD+.

The report also presents press releases on the role of forests in the provision of clean water, the importance of sustainable forest management for development, risks to forests from extreme weather events and threats from wildfires in lands adjacent to forests. Additional discussions on the role of ecotourism in forest conservation and the protection of trees in cities are also cited.

Finally, the report contains stories emphasizing the potential of forests in addressing food security, increasing renewable energy demands and market growth. [Publication: Joint Press Releases: An Initiative of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests in the International Year of Forests 2011]