On March 21, the world celebrates International Forest Day, officially established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2012. Every year, this day is held under different themes. In 2018, the theme was "Forests and Sustainable Cities." Ukraine also participates in this event with various initiatives. Traditionally, on March 21, the State Forest Resources Agency of Ukraine launches the national campaign "The Future of the Forest in Your Hands," which lasts until Earth Day (April 21 this year). The goal of this campaign is to instill respect for nature in younger generations, raise awareness about forest conservation, and engage students and the public in afforestation efforts.

Ukraine's forests play a crucial role in environmental protection. They cover approximately 10.4 million hectares, with 9.6 million hectares densely forested. The country ranks ninth in Europe by forest area and sixth by timber reserves. Over the past 50 years, forest cover has increased by 1.5 times. More than half of the forests in Ukraine were artificially created and require intensive care. Trees help mitigate climate change, improve air quality, and regulate water resources, making them essential for urban and suburban environments.