International Day of Forests photo contest
Thank you to everyone who entered! We received almost 200 entries from over 40 countries.
Click here to find out more about the winners.
Yuna Chitea – Fireguard
United States of America
A national park ranger monitors a firebreak during a prescribed fire in Congaree National Park, South Carolina.
©FAO/Yuna Chitea
Wilder Portillo - Aerial forest view
Honduras
An aerial image of the forests of Gracias, Lempira, taken from a drone, shows the fragility of this vital ecosystem in the western region of Honduras. Drones can play a key role in forest conservation, such as monitoring forests, combating illegal logging and reforesting degraded areas.
©FAO/Wilder Portillo
George Mitri - Monitoring seedling health
Lebanon
A handheld spectroradiometer is used to assess environmental stressors on a pine seedling in Menjez, Akkar. It monitors the seedling’s vitality to safeguard its development at critical growth stages.
©FAO/George Mitri
Hanns Kirchmeir - Tree scanner
Austria
Protected-area managers Tobias and Larissa use laser scanning technology to determine the volume of live and dead wood in a forest. This and other new technologies are aiding daily work in forest-protected areas and enabling exploration of the carbon storage potential of natural forests.
©FAO/Hanns Kirchmeir
Sofia Ilmonen - A dress made from wood
Finland
Wood-based textiles are replacing those manufactured using plastics, offering a new, sustainable approach to fashion.
©FAO/Sofia Ilmonen
Miroslav Šlafhauser - Seeding trees with drones
Slovenia
Slovenia was hit by the largest fire in its history in 2022, with 2 900 hectares of forests burnt in the Karst region. In 2023, the Slovenia Forest Service started reforestation in hard-to-reach areas with drones that drop seed balls. The balls contain the seeds of indigenous tree species.
©FAO/Miroslav Šlafhauser
What does forest innovation look like near you?
Help us show how innovative action, technology and knowledge are helping to protect forests and increase the benefits they bring by entering the International Day of Forests 2024 photo contest!
Forests provide many benefits and solutions including ecosystem services, biodiversity, climate action, livelihoods, shelter, food, fibre and fuel. Yet they are under threat from deforestation, climate change, pollution, wildfires and pests.
To celebrate the International Day of Forests on 21 March and this year’s theme of Forests and Innovation, we are looking for the best photos showcasing different types of innovation:
- new technology – for example drones or other digital tools helping to monitor illegal logging.
- new uses of sustainable wood, such as wooden credit cards, skyscrapers or drink bottles.
- the results of a ground-breaking policy or project or a new way of using Indigenous knowledge.
The five winning images - announced on March 21 – will be shared across FAO’s social media channels and will go on display as part of a photography exhibition at FAO HQ in Rome.
We will also send the winners a collection of FAO merchandise including an FAO water bottle, backpack and keep cup!
Submissions are now closed.
Entries will be judged for originality, relevance to the theme, artistic value and communication potential of the photo.