International Year of Forests 2011

A tribute to the late Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai

To commemorate and honor the life and work of Professor Wangari Maathai, the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) opened Forest Day 5, one of the most intensive and influential annual global events on forests in 2011, with a short video about the Nobel Laureate.

This film was commissioned by UNEP, ICRAF and CIFOR on behalf of the CPF.

Special thanks to Isabelle Pierrard from UNEP for her work on the production. Also thanks to Abbie Sharp from Tin Roof Productions.

Forests for people

2011 was declared by the UN General Assembly the International Year of the Forests with special focus on Forests for People. In this film, we explore the work being done by FAO and its partners across the globe to involve local communities in the protection of their forests. From the tropical forests of the Amazon and South East Asia to the drylands of Africa and the boreal forests of North America and Eurasia, forests cover a third of our planet. This film explores what's already being done to protect this essential resource as well as what still needs to be done.

Video spot: International Year of Forests 2011

A 30 second and 60 second video is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish
and Russian (the 6 official FAO languages), as well as in Portuguese, Japanese (30 second only), German and Italian.

For broadcast quality versions, please contact the communications officer
Maria De Cristofaro.

Video feature: Forest regeneration in the Philippines

FAO's 2011 State of the World's Forests report, published to coincide with the International Year of Forests, highlights some positive and encouraging trends. Asia and the Near East are showing an increase in forest regeneration and replanting projects. One such project in the Philippines uses an ingenious, low-cost method of forest regeneration that eliminates competition from undesirable species. This 11 minute video features a current FAO project and illustrates the benefits of assisted natural regeneration of forests to the local population of the Philippine island of Bohol. There is also a 2 minute version video.

For broadcast quality versions, please contact the communications officer
Maria De Cristofaro.

Sections of the film include archival material that may not be used or broadcast outside the context of this video. The content found at the following time codes may not be resold, sublicensed, assigned, transferred or otherwise made available to third parties: 00:00 - 00:25, 02:29 - 02:32, 06:12 - 6:49, 7:37 - 7:40, 10:07-10:18 and 10:47 -10:55. All other portions of the video are rights-free.

Video feature: Turning the tide on desertification in Africa

In Senegal, the Acacia project has involved the planting and managing of Acacia forests in arid lands helping combat desertification while providing life-changing benefits to local communities. With two thirds of the African continent now classified as desert or drylands and desertification affecting a quarter of the world's population, the breakthrough has the potential to transform the lives of vulnerable populations. This 7 minute video features the project, supported by the Italian Government and FAO.  There is also a 3 minute version video.

Video feature: Protecting Mongolia's forests

Almost 12% of Mongolia is covered by forests, providing important resources for people and wildlife. Through a participatory forest management pilot project in 5 provinces, local people have received training on forest assessment, marketing of forest products, management planning, mapping and fire prevention. Funded by the Royal Government of the Netherlands and implemented by FAO through the Mongolian Ministry of Nature and Environment, this project has successfully reduced illegal logging, hunting and enabled more sustainable management of community woodland resources.  There is also a three minute version.

Wildlife in a changing climate

In this video, FAO Wildlife and Protected Area officer Edgar Kaeslin highlights the case of mountain gorillas in Rwanda (the original 'gorillas in the mist') who are under threat due to climate change. The film showcases one of thousands of species that are predicted to come under greater threat of extinction due to climate change according to a new report Wildlife in a Changing Climate from FAO's forestry department.