Global Forest Watch Blog

Stay atop the latest forest research and news! The Global Forest Watch blog uses data to illuminate the state of forests worldwide and tells the stories of people dedicated to protecting them. Read about rainforests, deforestation, fires, sustainable agriculture, forest management and other topics critical to the future of forests.

Forests Near or Far can Protect Water for Cities

Forests, whether they are growing within cities or far away in other countries, are crucial to regulating urban clean water supplies.

Young Forests Capture Carbon Quicker than Previously Thought

New research shows natural forest regrowth, as opposed to reforestation by tree planting, can capture more carbon dioxide from the air than previously thought.

6 Graphics Explain the Climate Feedback Loop Fueling US Fires

Increased emissions lead to higher temperatures and more fire-prone conditions. More fires mean more emissions, fueling rapid climate change.

Latest articles

Indigenous community in Peru tests out the Forest Watcher Mobile App

Forest Watcher Improves Offline Functions for Frontline Forest Defenders

Forest Watcher is designed to serve forest monitors at work in the field. New updates to the app make that easier than ever.

GLAD Deforestation Alerts, Explained

GLAD deforestation alerts update weekly, showing areas of recent lost to forest defenders across the tropics to encourage action.

satellite view of fires in southern california

Tracking Wildfire Trends as Fire Seasons Heat Up

Fire seasons are complicating the COVID-19 pandemic. GFW fire data provides daily updates on where fires are burning around the world.

A farm landscape sits near a national park in Costa Rica

Climate Change Will Alter Forests as We Know Them

Fires, pest infestations and stunted tree growth— climate change could have big negative impacts on the forests we know and depend upon.

Introducing Global Forest Watch’s 2020 Small Grants Fund Recipients

This year’s SGF recipients will bring GFW tools and data to more people who can take action against deforestation.

Landscape mosaic in the bale mountain, Ethiopia. Photo by Aaron Minnick / World Resources Institute

The Challenge of Tracking How a Trillion Trees Grow

Tracking tree growth will help us understand whether those trillion trees are growing and whether our efforts to fight climate change are on the right track.