International Day of Forests

Today on March 21st it is considered International Day of Forests and has been an Official United Nations event since 2011. Today is a day to celebrate and raise awareness for the importance of all kinds of different forests and trees outside of forests.

The 2015 theme for the International Day of Forests #IntlForestDay is "Forests and climate change - Create a climate smart future." The over all goal today is to address climate change and highlight forest based solutions including sustainable development. 

Did you know that forests cover a third of the Earth's Land mass and are some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems on land & are home to more than 80% of Terrestrial species of Animals, plants, and insects. Roughly 1.6 billion people which includes more than 2,000 indigenous cultures depend on Forests for their survival & livelihood and provide them with things like shelter, jobs, and natural  security. 
Despite the many ecological, economical and social & health benefits  Deforestation accounts for 12 to 20 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.   Ultimately this accounts for 12-20% of Global greenhouse gas emissions.  

Ways that you can participate are by Joining the global celebration of forests on social media by following us on twitter @UNDESA #IntlForestDay and #action2015. You can also connect with us on Facebook.com/ joinUNDESA. You can get involved by creating your own International Forest Day exhibit on the lead up to the Day by using the design material available and by using the hashtag #IntlForestDay on social media.

Forests in British Columbia 

Forests have a deep impact on British Columbia and the Province is one of the most Biologically and Ecologically Diverse provinces in Canada. It is estimated  that forests cover 65% of BC's total land area and the Province owns an estimated 95% of the forested land in British Columbia. Available productive forest land covers 112 million acres and about 96% of that area is home to coniferous trees. Some example of coniferous trees found in British Columbia Include Douglas fir, Black Spruce, Western hemlock, Ponderosa Pine (Fun fact this tree species smells like cookies) and the Western Red Cedar which is the Provincial Tree.The other type of trees common to BC is the Deciduous trees which can include Trembling Aspen (most widespread & abundant tree) Big Leaf Maple, Water Birch and the Pacific Dogwood which is the Provincial Flower. 

British Columbia has 13.9 million Hectares of protected land and is home to roughly 1030 Provincial Parks, 156 conservancies, 2 ecological reserves and 3 protected areas! Each different Municipal, Provincial and even national parks are examples of the Unique environment. These parks and protected areas attract 20 million visitors each year with roughly 6 in 10 residents of BC using a Provincial Park annually. 

An estimated 1/10th of British Columbia's Parks are wilderness that is untouched for the most part.
80,000 species of Animals, plants, vertebrates, Invertebrates and fungi call British Columbia home and Protected areas in BC account for 2/3's of Canada's bird species and mammals. 
Tweedsmuir Park is BC's largest provincial park and Kitlope Heritage conservancy is the world's largest intact Coastal temperate rain forest. 
My hometown of Osoyoos is home to the provincial Park - Haynes Point. 

By the Law in BC all public lands that are harvested must be reforested. Since 1930, the British Columbia Forestry Service has planted over three billion seedlings and annually more than 200 million seedlings from 19 species are planted to replace trees that have been harvested, destroyed by fire, or damaged by pests.

 
Sources used: 
http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/canada/Alberta-to-Nova-Scotia/British-Columbia.html
http://www.un.org/en/events/forestsday/
http://www.un.org/esa/forests/international-day-of-forests/index.html
https://www.facebook.com/joinundesa?fref=photo