According to Popular Science (March/April 2016 Issue) the Food and Agriculture Organization released some good news stating that “The global rate of forest loss has dropped 50% in five years.” While this sounds like great news, which it is, there are still of few issues to take into account when we hear a statement like this.

First let’s commend all those utilizing sustainable forestry practices with replanting and selective harvesting. It is also important that those tree farmers that raise trees for specific purposes (think all those Amazon boxes), are helping ease the need for harvesting on old growth forests. We have also seen an increase here in the USA of urban forests. This means that more and more people are choosing to grow and nurture their own mini forests, or even their own bonsai tree on their apartment terrace. You too can now be a part of that growing movement by starting your own forest or bonsai with a Tree In A Box.

Certain parts of the world are doing better than others, but it is important to note that we currently have an actual loss of about 10 billion trees, which is still enough to have scientists worried. One of the biggest impacts to our global tree count is the deforestation for agriculture, industry, or housing. Unfortunately, the area that this is the biggest problem is in tropical areas where the majority of trees are concentrated. Drought, wildfires, invasive species, insects, and disease outbreaks have also taken a toll on some of our nation’s forests in recent years.

Knowing this, it is that much more important that we have plans for reforestation and we all take an active role in planting and caring for these global wonders. While we can’t control climate, we can do our best to mitigate wildfires, invasive species, insects and disease outbreaks. This reminds me of the old saying that it takes a village to raise a child, or “your mom is not your maid” which to me it means that we all have to do our part to keep our “outdoor space” clean and healthy so that we have something to pass along to generations beyond us.