One Tree Planted Receives FAO Global Technical Recognition for Its Work in Sustainable Forest Production and Protection  

One Tree Planted is proud to receive Global Technical Recognition from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for our contributions to Sustainable Forest Production and Protection. This recognition underscores the excellence we uphold in our global programs—grounded in responsibility, designed for lasting impact, and built to endure.

What is the FAO Global Forestry Recognition? 

In honor of its 80th anniversary, FAO is celebrating eight decades of working towards global food security and sustainable development. To commemorate this anniversary, FAO launched a call for nominations to recognize best practices and innovative solutions that are driving progress in global food security, sustainable development, and agrifood systems transformation across six technical areas. 

In the area of Sustainable Forest Production and Protection, the organization recognized 24 global forestry champions who have made outstanding contributions to sustainable forest management and the transformation of agrifood systems—as well as other global processes. 

What This Recognition Means 

This recognition from FAO underscores the critical importance of global collaboration, scientific rigor, and long-term vision. It also signals to the world that community-led, verifiable, and resilient reforestation is no longer optional; it’s the way forward. 

We’re in Great Company

We’re honored to be recognized, but even more honored that it’s in the company of great partners. This is a testament to the interconnected nature of reforestation and land restoration, and we’re proud to work with organizations that are leading the world forward. 

We first want to congratulate the Smallholder Farmers Alliance, an organization that plants an average of one million trees a year with its farmer-members in Haiti. Founded by One Tree Planted Board Member Hugh Locke, it’s doing critical work with its 7,200 farmer members, who grow and look after trees to earn “tree-currency” to exchange for other agricultural services. 

We also want to congratulate two of our planting partners, who have earned well-deserved recognition for their exceptional work. We’re proud to have supported their award-winning programs.

Paran Women Group of Kenya is engaging communities to plant trees within the Mau Forest complex, an initiative we support via TerraFund for AFR100, which we co-founded. They work with marginalized communities in this critical ecosystem by educating them about Indigenous rights, training them on forest conservation, and providing energy efficient cookstoves to reduce their reliance on firewood for cooking fuel.

Mountain Hazelnuts of Bhutan, who we have been partnered with since 2023, is working with vulnerable smallholder farming families and communities to create long-term livelihood and environmental benefits—all by growing hazelnut trees on fallow, degraded Himalayan mountain slopes.

Finally, we’d like to congratulate the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve, which was recognized with support from ALTERNARE A.C. The Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage site that lies about 100km northwest of Mexico City. Every fall, millions of butterflies migrate from North America to overwinter in their ancestral nesting grounds at the reserve. We have supported several projects that restore critical montane oyamel fir and pine forest habitat in and around the reserve. 

Thank You to Our Community

This recognition belongs to every person who has walked alongside us—from local tree nursery managers to global supporters who believe in the power of trees to foster a more sustainable and resilient future. 

A special thank you to:

• Our planting partners, who make it happen. 
• Our donors and supporters around the world, who believe in our mission. 
• Our team, who works tirelessly to drive global reforestation. 

We’re honored to be recognized by the FAO for our impact over the last 10 years, but our work is far from done. The planet needs bold action and global collaboration to restore ecosystems, mitigate climate change, and protect biodiversity.