Climate Biodiversity

Arbor Day Foundation Joins United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

Uniting for a Healthier Planet: How a New Partnership Is Advancing Global Restoration Goals

February 15, 2023

Sunlight filters through tall trees with colorful autumn leaves, creating a serene forest scene.

As the world faces mounting environmental challenges, the need for bold, collaborative action has never been more important.

That’s why the Arbor Day Foundation is honored to be named a supporting partner of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration — a global movement focused on revitalizing the planet’s most threatened ecosystems.

Launched in 2021, the U.N.’s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration is a 10-year initiative designed to restore natural landscapes and strengthen the resilience of communities around the world. It’s a call to action for governments, nonprofits, scientists, and everyday citizens to work together to secure a healthier future for people and the planet.

Two children in hats pour water from a bucket into a hole in the ground, surrounded by planting materials in a sunny outdoor setting.

For the Arbor Day Foundation, this partnership is a natural extension of its mission.

“The large-scale scope of the U.N.’s commitment requires a bold group of environmental stakeholders all working together, and the Arbor Day Foundation is excited to do its part,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “We hope our learnings from having planted trees in communities and forests around the world for more than 50 years can help this critical campaign as it seeks to create a better world for future generations.”

Trees are one of nature’s most powerful tools in addressing global challenges. They improve air and water quality, support biodiversity, stabilize soil, and contribute to healthier communities. But their benefits are maximized when planted in the right places — where ecosystems are under threat and people are most vulnerable.

That’s why the Arbor Day Foundation has committed to planting 500 million trees in forests of greatest need. This ambitious goal is more than a number — it’s a promise to future generations and a step toward a more sustainable future.

Aerial view of lush green rainforest with winding rivers, reflecting light, nestled among dense foliage and patches of open land.

A shared vision for impact

The U.N.’s flagship restoration efforts focus on regions where ecological degradation is most severe — and where restoration can have the greatest impact. These areas include Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest and the Central American Dry Corridor, both of which are also priority reforestation regions for the Arbor Day Foundation.

By aligning its conservation priorities with the U.N.’s strategy, the Foundation is helping to amplify the reach and effectiveness of restoration efforts. This includes contributing evidence-based recommendations to guide global environmental policy and leveraging its network of partners to mobilize tree planting at scale.

As a supporting partner of the U.N. Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the Arbor Day Foundation is helping to shape a global movement rooted in science, collaboration, and hope. Together, we can restore ecosystems, strengthen communities, and build a more resilient planet.