Forests of Hope The world's natural forests are of critical importance for birds and biodiversity. Over 1.6 billion people rely heavily on these natural habitats and the ecosystem services they provide. Yet despite global efforts, rates of forest loss remain alarmingly high with an estimated 13 million hectares lost annually.

Key Facts

• We focus on forest areas that are of high importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services
• We work with local communities, government, private sector and other important stakeholders to implement locally appropriate approaches to forest governance, management and finance
• We complement action on the ground with policy engagement at national and international levels to address the underlying drivers of forest degradation and loss
• We commit long-term (e.g. 20 years and more) to selected sites to overcome deep-rooted challenges and promote sustainable solutions
• We are already working at major forest sites in more than 50 countries across four continents
• Our innovative approaches to management, governance and finance are bringing benefits to forest people as well as wildlife

The world's natural forests are of critical importance for birds and other biodiversity, natural habitats and ecosystem services. Furthermore, over 1.6 billion people rely heavily on forests for subsistence, livelihoods, employment and income. Yet despite global efforts, rates of natural forest loss remain alarmingly high with the FAO estimating that 13 million hectares of forest are lost annually. 

BirdLife’s Forests of Hope Programme aims to prevent deforestation and to restore natural forests in the tropics. The programme’s effectiveness is maximised by linking forest conservation on the ground to policy and advocacy work at national and international levels. 

The programme's name was inspired by BirdLife's first Forests of Hope site: Hutan Harapan or the Rainforest of Hope. Harapan is Indonesia's first Ecosystem Restoration Concession and covers over 98,000 ha of threatened lowland forest in Sumatra. Despite being logged in the past, Harapan still has tapirs, tigers, elephants and many other species.

http://www.birdlife.org/worldwide/programmes/forests-hope