World Rainforest Day
June 22
About World Rainforest Day
World Rainforest Day takes place every year on 22 June, with the 2026 event falling on Monday, 22 June. Convened by the non-profit Rainforest Partnership since 2017, it is a global day of collaborative action that draws attention to the importance of healthy, standing rainforests for the climate, biodiversity, and the millions of people who depend on them.
What is World Rainforest Day?
World Rainforest Day is an annual awareness day dedicated to protecting and restoring the world’s rainforests. It was created and is convened by Rainforest Partnership, an environmental organisation based in Austin, Texas, that works directly with rainforest communities in countries such as Ecuador and Peru. The day brings together conservation organisations, activists, businesses, and members of the public around a single goal: keeping rainforests standing. Rather than promoting one organisation, World Rainforest Day acts as a shared platform that anyone can join to learn, advocate, and take practical steps for forest protection.
When is World Rainforest Day?
World Rainforest Day is held on 22 June each year. In 2026 it falls on Monday, 22 June. The date is fixed and does not change from year to year, which makes it easy to plan events, campaigns, and classroom activities around it. Because rainforests span the globe, the day is marked internationally, with online summits, community events, and social media campaigns running across multiple time zones throughout the 24 hours.
Why World Rainforest Day Matters
Rainforests cover only around 6 per cent of the Earth’s land surface, yet they are home to roughly half of all the world’s terrestrial plant and animal species. They regulate rainfall, store vast amounts of carbon, and provide food, medicine, and livelihoods for tens of millions of people, with more than 30 million depending on the Amazon alone. When rainforests are cleared, the consequences are felt far beyond the tropics.
The scale of loss remains alarming. According to the World Resources Institute, the world lost 4.3 million hectares of tropical primary rainforest in 2025, an area roughly the size of Denmark. While that figure represented a 36 per cent fall on the record loss of the previous year, it still left forest loss well above the level needed to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030. Days like this one keep the issue visible and remind decision-makers that progress, while welcome, is not yet fast enough. The connection between rainforests and the wider natural world is explored further on International Day of the Tropics, which falls just a week later.
How to Get Involved in World Rainforest Day
There are many ways to take part, whether you have five minutes or a whole day to give:
- Join an online summit or event – Rainforest Partnership and its partners host talks, panels, and live streams on the day. Registering is free and lets you hear directly from scientists, Indigenous leaders, and campaigners.
- Take the pledge – Visit the official website and commit to a personal action, such as reducing your consumption of products linked to deforestation, like unsustainable palm oil, beef, or soy.
- Share on social media – Use the official hashtag to amplify the day’s message. In past years the #WorldRainforestDay campaign has reached tens of millions of people worldwide.
- Support a rainforest charity – A donation to Rainforest Partnership or a similar organisation funds conservation projects that keep forests standing and support local communities.
- Volunteer your skills – Many rainforest organisations welcome remote volunteers for research, translation, design, and outreach. Even a few hours can make a difference to a small team.
- Learn and teach – Use the day to read about a rainforest you have never heard of, or run a lesson or assembly for children. Education is one of the most powerful long-term tools for conservation.
- Shop more thoughtfully – Look for certified sustainable products and check labels for ingredients that drive deforestation. Small consumer choices, multiplied across millions of people, shift markets.
- Host a local event – Organise a film screening, a nature walk, or a fundraiser in your community to bring the global message home.
History of World Rainforest Day
World Rainforest Day was launched in 2017 by Rainforest Partnership, which itself was founded a decade earlier in 2007 by Niyanta Spelman and colleagues. The idea for the organisation took shape after extensive research and conversations with around 200 people, and it grew into a non-profit focused on protecting standing tropical forests through on-the-ground projects and global engagement.
By 2017, the founders recognised that while many environmental days existed, there was no single global moment dedicated specifically to rainforests. They created 22 June as a date for collaborative action, designed not as a one-organisation campaign but as an open platform that any group or individual could rally behind. The first year drew support from dozens of partner organisations, and the day has grown steadily ever since.
In the years since, World Rainforest Day has expanded into online summits drawing registrants from more than 70 countries, with social media campaigns reaching tens of millions of people. Rainforest Partnership has described 2026 as a “year of action” focused on rainforest and biodiversity protection, reflecting a shift from simply raising awareness towards mobilising concrete commitments from individuals, communities, and industry.
Noteworthy Facts About World Rainforest Day
- The day was first held on 22 June 2017 and has been observed annually on the same date ever since.
- It is convened by Rainforest Partnership, a non-profit founded in 2007 and based in Austin, Texas.
- Rainforests cover about 6 per cent of the Earth’s land surface but contain an estimated 50 per cent of its terrestrial biodiversity.
- The world lost 4.3 million hectares of tropical primary rainforest in 2025, an area roughly the size of Denmark.
- Past #WorldRainforestDay campaigns have reached audiences numbering in the tens of millions across more than 70 countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is World Rainforest Day?
World Rainforest Day is a global awareness day held each year on 22 June. Convened by Rainforest Partnership since 2017, it unites organisations, businesses, and individuals to protect and restore the world’s rainforests through education, advocacy, and practical action.
When is World Rainforest Day in 2026?
World Rainforest Day 2026 takes place on Monday, 22 June. The date is fixed and is observed on 22 June every year.
Who started World Rainforest Day?
It was launched in 2017 by Rainforest Partnership, an environmental non-profit founded in 2007 by Niyanta Spelman and colleagues, based in Austin, Texas. The organisation created the day as an open platform for collaborative rainforest conservation.
Spread the Word
Help raise awareness by sharing World Rainforest Day with your friends, family, and followers. Use the hashtags #WorldRainforestDay and #WorldRainforestDay2026 on social media. The more people who know about World Rainforest Day, the bigger the impact for forests and the communities that depend on them.
Related Awareness Days
- International Day of the Tropics – Held on 29 June, this day celebrates the tropical regions that contain most of the world’s rainforests and biodiversity.
- International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystems – Focuses on protecting another vital, threatened forest habitat that stores carbon and shelters wildlife.
- World Nature Conservation Day – A broader call to protect natural resources, closely connected to the goals of rainforest preservation.
Links
2026 Awareness Days Wall Planner
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