Green spaces, trees, and forests are essential for cities and their citizens, as they offer a multitude of benefits and bring nature into the city. Trees purify the air, provide a home for wildlife even in the city, and provide a local recreational opportunity for people that is simply good for them. At the same time, parks and forests in and around cities provide a connection to forests farther afield. They remind us of the global added value of large forest areas in the tropics, but also in northern latitudes, which regulate our climate and contribute to the preservation of biodiversity.
What is Cities4Forests?
Cities4Forests aims to harness the political, social, and economic support of city governments and citizens to integrate inner, near, and far forests into urban development plans and programs. All participating cities and citizens share a common goal of reducing deforestation, reforesting, and managing forest habitats more sustainably.
The focus is on the inner forests: the forests within the city, but also in the surrounding areas. Inner forests are the trees in the city. Avenue trees and parks. Shade trees, cooling groups of trees, small woods. They all block the sun, purify the air, and provide city dwellers with plenty of oxygen. And they remind us that there is much more forest outside the city – forest worth preserving. If we succeed in making city dwellers aware of how important forests are, even in big cities, and how valuable they are for people's health and regeneration, then the step towards protecting "distant" forests on other continents won't be so difficult after all.
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Preserving forests – in the city and beyond
As forests become more valuable in cities, there are increasing numbers of supporters of the restoration and sustainable management of forests worldwide.
Nevertheless, forest areas are shrinking everywhere. Approximately 5 million hectares of forest are cleared every year. This has terrible consequences for the species living there, as well as for the increase in greenhouse gases. To raise awareness of the value and beauty of forests, forests must be brought back into cities. Only in this way will it be possible to awaken and maintain a connection with the forest in people.
Who participates in Cities4Forests?
Cities4Forests is a voluntary coalition of city governments from around the world, supported by water utilities and sustainability organizations. Cities from all over the world are now participating, some with ambitious and innovative projects such as Milan's "Vertical Forest," a green skyscraper. The organization promotes learning, awareness, and inspiration. At the same time, the organization offers technical support in the areas of forests and water, climate change, communication, and policy.
These are just a few of the many cities that are participating.
In addition, training sessions are offered to help overcome challenges and establish a solid scientific foundation for future work. Cities4Forests also provides one-on-one consultations as needed. Participating cities can participate in one or more working groups to jointly develop a deeper understanding of thematic issues, challenges, and opportunities.
We are committed to forests
At NIKIN, we donate to planting a tree with every product purchased through our partner OneTreePlanted, thus contributing to the preservation of the world's forests. The work of organizations like OneTreePlanted contributes to the more sustainable management of the world's forests and the restoration of lost areas.
You can find more information about the projects here: Cities4Forests
