International Day of Forests | 21 March

Photo contest credit ©fabrikasimf ©OMPstock ©dslrno

Winners of International Day of Forests photo contest announced 

21/03/05

Rome – Five photographs from across the world have been selected as the winning entries of the 2025 International Day of Forests ‘Forests and foods’ photo contest.

Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the contest asked participants to share images that capture the vital role that forests and trees play in global food security, nutrition and livelihoods.

A total of 700 entries were received from across 92 countries.  

The winning images will be featured on FAO’s social media platforms and displayed in a special exhibition at FAO headquarters in Rome on 21 March, while winners will receive a collection of FAO merchandise.

Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all who entered.

Chosen by a panel of experts, the winners are:

Photo credit: FAO/Jianxing Zhu
Jianxing Zhu - Riches in a bamboo forest 

China

Villagers harvest Phallus indusiatus, an edible fungus, in a bamboo forest in Xiashai village,
Guangdong Province, China. Economic activities using bamboo forests help local farmers
improve their lives. 

Photo credit: FAO/Jianxing Zhu

Photo credit FAO Glen Muwayira
Glen Muwayira - Along the Batwa trail  

Uganda

A Mutwa tour guide snacks on forest food as he walks on the Batwa trail in Mgahinga
National Park (formerly Mgahinga forest). 

Photo credit: FAO/Glen Muwayira 

Belize Photo credit FAO LouisPena
Louis Peña - Essence of life 

Belize

A stingless bee flies towards flowers of a vine in the legume family. Pollination is a crucial process for ensuring that all other natural cycles can continue to sustain life. 

Photo credit: FAO/Louis Peña 

Russian Federation Photo credit FAO Anastasia Yashina
Anastasia Yashina - The forest as a source of life and nutrition   

Russian Federation

This image of mushrooms and lingonberries illustrates the relationship between trees, forests and food, highlighting the importance of conserving forest ecosystems for future generations.

Photo credit: FAO/Anastasia Yashina 

Philippines photo credit FAO Clinton Aniversario
Clinton Aniversario - Morning harvest

Philippines

A woman gathers rambutan, a sweet forest fruit, accompanied by her dog. Many forest
foods are highly nutritious, and they are important components of the diets of millions of
people.

Photo credit: FAO/Clinton Aniversario