By Alex Rivera – Pet Care & Wellness Specialist

Did you know that conservation dogs can detect scents up to 40 times more effectively than humans, helping protect endangered species and ecosystems across the globe? As I lace up for weekend hikes with my rescue dogs in Colorado’s rugged trails, sharing stories of their playful scent games that mimic real conservation work, I’m reminded how these furry detectives are unsung heroes in our fight for the planet. National conservation dog day, celebrated every January 19, shines a spotlight on these remarkable canines who use their super sniffers to advance wildlife protection—detecting invasive species, tracking poachers, and locating rare animals with precision that tech can’t match. In 2026, as environmental challenges mount, embracing national conservation dog day isn’t just fun; it’s a call to action for pet lovers everywhere to support these paw-some contributors. Whether you’re in Phoenix dreaming of desert adventures with your pup or planning family outings, this guide to national conservation dog day explores its history, inspiring stories, celebration ideas, and ways to get involved—all while honoring our four-legged friends who make conservation possible. Let’s fetch some inspiration and celebrate these tail-wagging trailblazers!

wisconservation.org

Conservation Dogs Lend a Paw in Bumble Bee Surveys – Natural …

Caption: Conservation dog sniffing for scents in a forest, highlighting national conservation dog day heroes in action.

What Is National Conservation Dog Day and Why Does It Matter?

National conservation dog day is an annual celebration on January 19 dedicated to honoring dogs that aid conservation efforts through their exceptional scent detection abilities. These canines help scientists track endangered species, detect invasive plants or animals, and even locate illegal wildlife trade items, making them invaluable in protecting biodiversity.

Founded in 2022 by the Conservation Dogs Collective, a non-profit focused on training and supporting these teams, the day raises awareness about their low-impact, high-efficiency work. As ASPCA notes, conservation dogs provide data that’s faster and more accurate than traditional methods, emphasizing why national conservation dog day matters for global eco-health. For pet owners, it’s a reminder of dogs’ potential beyond companionship, tying into wellness like in reasons why your cat eats dirt and how to stop it.

The History Behind National Conservation Dog Day: From Idea to Celebration

National conservation dog day was launched by the Conservation Dogs Collective to spotlight the growing role of working dogs in environmental protection. Inspired by successful programs worldwide, it began as a way to celebrate these animals’ contributions and encourage public support.

Since 2022, it’s gained traction, with events like scent game challenges and donations to training orgs. The day coincides with broader animal welfare movements, as detailed by National Day Archives. This history underscores the evolution of dogs from hunters to eco-guardians, much like the adoption glow-ups in the ultimate adoption glow-ups: from squalor to splendor.

tpwmagazine.com

Conservation Dogs Help Detect Wildlife, Check for Invasives …

Caption: Historical photo of early conservation dogs at work, marking the roots of national conservation dog day.

Roles of Conservation Dogs: How They Protect Wildlife on National Conservation Dog Day

Conservation dogs excel in scent detection, locating endangered species like tigers or rare plants without disturbing habitats. They also sniff out invasives like weeds or pests, preventing ecological damage.

In poaching prevention, they detect ivory or rhino horn at borders. Texas Parks and Wildlife highlights their efficiency in wildlife surveys, saving time and resources. Celebrating national conservation dog day means appreciating these roles, similar to the wellness tracking in complete pet care & wellness tracker.

Famous Conservation Dogs: Heroes Honored on National Conservation Dog Day

Meet Hugo and Cricket, stars of Reddit’s dogswithjobs, who detect rare species in the field. Or Muon from Focusing on Wildlife, a detection pro in wildlife reserves.

These pups embody the spirit of national conservation dog day, inspiring stories like those in charming tiny cat stories for fall/winter 2025. Their feats show dogs’ impact, encouraging adoption from shelters.

How to Celebrate National Conservation Dog Day with Your Pet

Play scent games: Hide treats for your dog to find, mimicking conservation work—share on social with #makeasnifference. Donate to orgs like Conservation Dogs Collective or volunteer at local wildlife centers.

Host a pet playdate focused on eco-themes. For Phoenix families, trail walks with leashes promote awareness. This ties to fun like disney playlist for themed celebrations.

tpwmagazine.com

Conservation Dogs Help Detect Wildlife, Check for Invasives …

Caption: Dog and owner playing scent games to celebrate national conservation dog day at home.

Training Your Dog for Conservation Work on National Conservation Dog Day

Start with basic nose work: Use boxes with treats to build scent skills. Programs like those from Wisconsin Conservation offer training tips for aspiring teams.

Professional certification through orgs like Working Dogs for Conservation can lead to real roles. For everyday pets, this enhances bonding, as AKC advises in breed guides. Link to 80 names for cats with spots and speckles for fun naming if adopting.

Benefits of Conservation Dogs Highlighted on National Conservation Dog Day

These dogs provide non-invasive data collection, covering vast areas quickly—up to 10 times faster than humans. They detect species like bumble bees or horned lizards with 95% accuracy, per Texas Parks Magazine.

On national conservation dog day, we recognize their role in biodiversity, inspiring pet wellness like in raw feeding basics for pets.

Get Involved: Support Organizations on National Conservation Dog Day

Donate to Conservation Dogs Collective or adopt from shelters to aid the cause. Volunteer for scent training workshops or advocate for wildlife protection.

Phoenix events might include local parks demos—check ASPCA for opportunities. This involvement fosters community, similar to books for cat lovers: connie’s book club.

tpwmagazine.com

Conservation Dogs Help Detect Wildlife, Check for Invasives …

Caption: Conservation dog detecting invasives, embodying the spirit of national conservation dog day efforts.

National Conservation Dog Day Activities for Families and Kids

Create DIY scent trails in your backyard or park—hide eco-friendly toys for dogs to find. Share drawings of conservation pups on social.

Educational crafts teach kids about wildlife, as suggested by Daily Dodge. For Phoenix families, tie to desert hikes, promoting pet safety like in the delicate subject of dingleberries.

Breed Spotlight: Best Dogs for Conservation on National Conservation Dog Day

Labradors and German Shepherds excel in scent work due to their drive and noses. Border Collies add agility for field tasks.

AKC recommends these for training, inspiring choices like best orthopedic dog beds for rest after “missions.”

Inspiring Stories: Conservation Dogs Making a Difference on National Conservation Dog Day

From Texas bee dogs sniffing pollinators to Wisconsin teams tracking endangered species, these tales showcase impact.

One pup located a rare lizard nest, saving a habitat—stories like these fuel national conservation dog day celebrations, echoing can cats carry bed bugs.

focusingonwildlife.com

The Unlikely Conservationists: How Dogs Are Transforming Wildlife …

Caption: Inspiring conservation dog story in action for national conservation dog day tribute.

FAQ: National Conservation Dog Day

What is national conservation dog day? An annual celebration on January 19 honoring dogs that aid conservation through scent detection of endangered and invasive species.

When was national conservation dog day created? In 2022 by the Conservation Dogs Collective to highlight these canines’ work.

How can I celebrate national conservation dog day with my pet? Play scent games, share on social with #makeasnifference, or donate to conservation orgs.

What roles do dogs play on national conservation dog day? They detect scents for wildlife protection, tracking poachers and locating rare species.

Can my dog become a conservation dog for national conservation dog day? Yes, with training in nose work—start basic and seek professional programs.

Must-Read Books for Dog Lovers on National Conservation Dog Day

1. “The Genius of Dogs” by Brian Hare – Unlocking canine intelligence for tasks like conservation.
2. “Dog Is Love” by Clive Wynne – Why dogs bond and contribute to human causes.
3. “Inside of a Dog” by Alexandra Horowitz – What dogs see, smell, and know in their world.
4. “Scent of the Missing” by Susannah Charleson – Search and rescue dogs’ stories, akin to conservation work.
5. “The Art of Racing in the Rain” by Garth Stein – A dog’s perspective on life and loyalty.

Essentials List: 7 Must-Have Items for Celebrating National Conservation Dog Day

• Big Barker Large Orthopedic Dog Bed for comfy rest after adventures.
• Casper Memory Foam Dog Bed (Medium) for joint support during training.
• Furhaven Orthopedic Dog Bed for Large Dogs with Removable Bolsters for cozy recovery spots.
• Optimum Nutrition Micronized Creatine Monohydrate Powder (Unflavored) to mix in food for energy boosts.
• Dog Supplements for overall health during active days.
• Dog Oil for shiny coats post-hikes.
• Dog Spay Suit for post-adventure care if needed.

P.S. Ready to track your pet’s adventures? Sign up for our free complete pet care & wellness tracker and get personalized tips straight to your inbox.

Related Posts for Pet Lovers

• Best Orthopedic Dog Beds: Top Picks Black Friday Deals 2025
• Reasons Why Your Cat Eats Dirt and How to Stop It
• The Ultimate Adoption Glow-Ups: From Squalor to Splendor
• The Delicate Subject of Dingleberries (or Pseudocoprostasis)
• Books for Cat Lovers: Connie’s Book Club

What You Will Learn

• The core principles of eco-tourism: conservation, education, community involvement, and responsible travel.
• How eco-tourism supports sustainable travel by reducing carbon footprints and funding conservation efforts.
• The positive impact of eco-tourism on local economies, cultural heritage, and biodiversity.
• Essential tips for creating your eco-travel checklist to prepare for sustainable adventures.
• Ways to engage with local communities and learn about traditional ecological knowledge during your travels.
• How to be a responsible traveler by minimizing your environmental impact and supporting local businesses.
• Opportunities to participate in eco-tourism conferences and community initiatives to deepen your understanding and impact.

We Want to Hear From You!

What has been your most memorable eco-tourism experience? Share your thoughts below:

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Recap of Key Points

Here is a quick recap of the important points discussed in the article:

• Eco-tourism Principles: Emphasizes conservation, education, community involvement, and responsible travel.
• Sustainable Practices: Reduces carbon footprint, supports local economies, and funds conservation efforts.
• Community Benefits: Creates jobs, preserves cultural heritage, and protects wildlife through eco-tourism initiatives.
• Eco-Travel Checklist: Include reusable items, eco-friendly toiletries, and nature-friendly gadgets for a sustainable journey.
• Engagement with Local Culture: Participate in workshops and connect with indigenous communities to enrich your travel experience.
• Being a Responsible Traveler: Leave no trace, support local businesses, and respect wildlife during your travels.

It’s 6 am, and I’m not at all keen to get out of bed. I drag myself out from under the warm duvet and head to the dining room to grab some coffee and make my way to the waiting game drive vehicle. We head out on our drive, warmly tucked up under blankets and with a flask of hot coffee in hand.

The early morning light shines over the reserve as our guide steers down the rugged dirt tracks of the reserve. Within what feels like minutes, we come across a breeding herd of elephants. The young calves play while the matriarch watches over them, stripping branches from a spekboom as she waits. A few decades ago, this scene would have been unimaginable. The land was overgrazed farmland, stripped of both wildlife and vegetation. But today, thanks to a bold experiment in rewilding, it’s home to the full array of safari animals, from antelope to apex predators, and has become one of the country’s most inspiring conservation success stories.

At the heart of this transformation are two properties: Shamwari Private Game Reserve and the smaller, adjacent, Founders Lodge by Mantis. Together, they represent not just a top safari destination, but also a living case study of what happens when ecology, vision, dedication, and tourism come together.

Shamwari’s story is legend in African conservation circles. In the early 1990s, farms exhausted by the overgrazing of livestock were purchased; with the plan being to restore the land. Fences came down. Grasslands and Albany thickets were nursed back to health. Then came the wildlife. Elephants, white rhinos, and hippos were the first to return, their browsing helping to regenerate the soil and disperse seeds. Black rhinos and buffalo followed. Then came predators, lion, cheetah, brown hyena, and eventually leopard. Within a decade, Shamwari had become the first Big Five game reserve in the Eastern Cape. “We wanted to show that conservation could be profitable, sustainable, and deeply human,” says Adrian Gardiner, the man behind Shamwari and Founders.

Gardiner insists he never saw this as a ‘quick fix’, nor did he see it as a short-term project. “Conservation does not have an end date. It’s a lifelong commitment,” he tells me, and the evidence is all around us. Shamwari now spans more than 60,000 hectares, and is home to healthy wildlife populations, including several endangered species. What’s more, the reserve has become a model for similar projects across the province. Shamwari’s success has inspired neighbouring landowners to rewild, too; creating a corridor of wildlife reserves where once there was only farmland.

Founders Lodge represents a more personal side to this story. Originally Gardiner’s family home, the lodge sits on 400 hectares of rolling hills, adjacent to the Shamwari reserve. Today it operates as a boutique eco-lodge, with seven suites, plus a 5-berth restored railway carriage, perched on a hill a short distance away.

The main building retains a classic farmhouse feel, with wide verandas, stone walls, and open lawns. The outdoor fire pit and shaded terrace invite sun-soaked lunches and quiet evenings sitting out under the stars, while the swimming pool and gym give you a place to stretch your body between game drives. What sets the lodge apart, however, is not just its design or décor, but rather its direct link to the wider Shamwari landscape and the conservation journey that began here.

Back at Founders, after our morning game drive, I sit on the verandah outside my room. I can see rhinos grazing just a few metres away, the only thing between us, a knee-high electric fence. Over the years Founders has become a sanctuary for rhinos, with many of the rhinos here being survivors of the horrific poaching trade – indeed, some still carry bullet fragments in their bodies. Poaching remains a constant threat, and both reserves invest heavily in round-the-clock monitoring, dehorning programs, and anti-poaching units. So seeing them here, grazing so peacefully, is wonderful.

Beyond the lawn and the rhinos, but within the lodge’s grounds, zebras graze, and in the distance I can see a magnificent male kudu, with his stunning corkscrew horns. After lunch I head to the underground photographic hide, positioned at the lodge’s waterhole. I’m just in time to see a giraffe bending awkwardly down to drink. Shortly afterwards, a rhino and her calf arrive for a mud bath and general wallow in the waterhole.

Afternoon comes, and we head out on another game drive. The distinctive roar of a lion reverberates from somewhere in the reserve. We head in the direction of the sound, one synonymous with the African bush, and after many twists and turns, and a detour past a cheetah who’s using the top of a termite mound as a lookout point, we’re rewarded with the sight of a thick-maned male lion patrolling his territory, and announcing his presence for all to hear. We sit and watch for a while, transfixed by the size and strength of this powerful predator.

What makes both Shamwari and Founders unique though, is that game drives here are not just about ticking lists of animals seen. Yes, the ‘Big Five’ are here, but what’s special about this place is that it’s more than just the animals, it’s the entire story behind the reserve – the removal of the fences, the regeneration of the vegetation, the reintroduction of the wildlife. Community partnerships are also central to the model. Right from the beginning, both Shamwari and Founders have prioritised training and employing local people, along with supporting local schools and running conservation education programmes. This has shifted attitudes towards wildlife. What was once seen as competition for land is now a source of livelihood and pride.  

Today, South Africa’s Eastern Cape is firmly on the safari map. Once overlooked in favour of Kruger or KwaZulu-Natal, it now offers a malaria-free safari experience, milder weather, and a landscape that’s been completely regenerated. Shamwari has become a global name, welcoming celebrities and conservationists alike, while Founders offers a smaller-scale, but still very personal way to connect with the same legacy.

Practical information

Founders Lodge by Mantis is located in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, around 75km from Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha) airport, which is well connected to Johannesburg and Cape Town. The region is malaria-free, making it great for families, and private use options are available for multi-generational families or small groups.

Sarah Kingdom

Sarah Kingdom is a travel writer from Sydney, Australia. When she is not climbing or traveling, she lives on a cattle ranch in central Zambia.

Dr. Jane Goodall
Dead at 91

Published October 1, 2025 11:05 AM PDT

Pressed between the pages of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland — a favorite book of my childhood, which my grandmother used to read to me and which still dwells in her immense library — is a single yellow leaf, its curved fan almost glowing against a faded illustration of the White Rabbit gazing anxiously at his pocket watch.

I still remember the afternoon I picked it up from under the four majestic ginkgo trees standing sentinel at the northern entrance of Varna’s Sea Garden — the iconic park perched on the cliffs of the Black Sea in my father’s hometown, where my grandparents took me each summer; I still remember the shock of seeing something so strange and beautiful, so unlike my notion of a leaf, and then the gasp of revelation: I suddenly realized that anything — a leaf, a life — can take myriad shapes beyond the standard template, can bend and broaden the Platonic ideal.

The improbable presence of four ancient trees native to Asia in Communist Bulgaria is a microcosm of the story of the ginkgo itself.

Earth’s oldest surviving tree genus, ginkgos were there before the dinosaurs existed, before Africa and South America parted. But after a long epoch of triumph over droughts and floods and mass extinctions, they came teetering on the brink of extinction for reasons entombed in mystery.

Jared Farmer chronicles their evolutionary trajectory in his altogether fascinating book Elderflora: A Modern History of Ancient Trees (public library):

These ginkgophytes were, in their evolutionary heyday, the foremost innovators of the plant kingdom. They could shed leaves in winter, go dormant in low-light seasons, switch between stub growth and branch growth depending on conditions, and resprout from lignotubers — energy-storing roots — after disturbances. On a prior planet with relatively few tall plants and no fast-growing angiosperms, ginkgophytes achieved dominance as generalists.

As Darwin said, “rarity precedes extinction,” but the duration of rarity varies greatly. Ginkgo is a temporal outlier. Ginkgophytes survived multiple mass extinction events and outlived their original seed dispersers, which might have been carrion-eating animals attracted by the sweet-rotten smell of the fleshy seedcoats. After a long period of glory in the Mesozoic era, ginkgophytes declined in the Cenozoic and dwindled to one species by the ice ages. Ginkgoes disappeared from North America, then Europe, and finally Japan, becoming, by the Pleistocene epoch, mountain refugees in China.

It was there that itinerant Buddhist monks discovered them. Taken both by the trees’ medicinal properties, which had become a staple of Chinese medicine, and by their uncommon beauty, the monks began landscaping Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines all over Japan with ginkgos.

In 1683, the polymathic German naturalist Engelbert Kaempfer set out for Japan under the auspices of the Dutch East India Company. He spent a decade there, then another decade writing the first Western study of Japan’s history, culture, and flora, which included the first botanical description of this singular tree he had encountered in Nagasaki. He gave it the awkward name Ginkgo, likely in error, as the original Japanese name should have been transliterated as ginkio, ginkjo, or ginkyo.

The printed word, like the Internet that succeeded it, is a copying machine for error. The spelling spread across botany until Linnaeus himself adopted it in his taxonomical Bible, relegating Ginkgo biloba — which he had never seen or studied himself — to the appendix of “obscure plants.”

Still, the ginkgo captivated the Western imagination with its striking geometry and its dramatic dance with chlorophyll, casting its spell on masses and monarchs alike.

Among the enchanted was the Duke of Weimer.

When Goethe — the Duke’s personal adviser — encountered the ginkgo at the royal gardens in 1815, it lit him up with a metaphor for the nature of love and the nature of the self, which he rendered in a poem penned in a letter to a friend he may or may not have been in love with, signed with a pressed ginkgo leaf.

GINKGO BILOBA
by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

In my garden’s care and favor
From the East this tree’s leaf shows
Secret sense for us to savor
And uplifts the one who knows.

Is it but one being single
Which as same itself divides?
Are there two which choose to mingle
So that each as one now hides?

As the answer to such question
I have found a sense that’s true:
Is it not my songs’ suggestion
That I’m one and also two?

Goethe was by then Europe’s most eminent poet, his verses the era’s equivalent of viral. Just as he had popularized the cloud names we use today, his poem contributed to the ginkgo craze that overtook Europe, then spread to America. Soon, horticulturalists and urban planners all over the Western hemisphere were saturating botanical gardens and city parks with ginkgos. Among them was Anton Novak — the Czech visionary who spent forty-two years dreaming up Bulgaria’s Sea Garden and building it into the most admired urban wilderness of the Balkans, so that a six-year-old girl can pick up a ginkgo leaf a century later and have a revelation that lasts a lifetime.

Meanwhile, geology was in its heyday and evolutionary theory was taking root. Scientists were unearthing ginkgo fossils hundreds of millions of years old, beginning to wonder how the first land plants evolved, beginning to suspect the ancient trees might hold a key to the enigma.

In 1894, Japanese botanist Sakugorō Hirase set out to study the reproduction of ginkgos, which are not “perfect flowers” and therefore produce male and female gametes on separate trees. Under a microscope, Hirase discovered the ginkgo spermatozoid and, with surprise, watched it arrive at the ovum by swimming through the fluid — motility inherited from the marine past of plants, establishing the ginkgo as a primordial species, the missing link between ferns and conifers, and a living fossil, like the dawn redwood, reaching across deep time to bridge our stratum of being with that of the dinosaurs.

Today, ginkgos line the streets of countless cities and rustle in parks all over the world. The oldest survivors in the wild have witnessed the births of major religions and the deaths of massive civilizations. Six ginkgos were among the handful of organisms that survived the bombing of Hiroshima. Long after Hitler and Openheimer have been pressed between the pages of history, the ginkgos are still alive, rising from the ruins of our capacity for destruction by hate as an emblem of our capacity for salvation by love.

Salvation, be it of a species or of a soul, is always anchored in some act of love, and every act of love is at bottom an act of salvation. “Fearlessness is what love seeks,” Hannah Arendt wrote in balancing the equation between love and loss. “Such fearlessness exists only in the complete calm that can no longer be shaken by events expected of the future… Hence the only valid tense is the present, the Now.” Nearly two centuries after Goethe, poet Howard Nemerov lenses this elemental unit of aliveness through the ginkgos:

THE CONSENT
by Howard Nemerov

Late in November, on a single night
Not even near to freezing, the ginkgo trees
That stand along the walk drop all their leaves
In one consent, and neither to rain nor to wind
But as though to time alone: the golden and green
Leaves litter the lawn today, that yesterday
Had spread aloft their fluttering fans of light.

What signal from the stars? What senses took it in?
What in those wooden motives so decided
To strike their leaves, to down their leaves,
Rebellion or surrender? and if this
Can happen thus, what race shall be exempt?
What use to learn the lessons taught by time,
If a star at any time may tell us: Now.

Throughout history, environmentalists have had a great impact not only on natural spaces, but also on individual lives. Environmentalists have been founders of public lands, the brains behind regenerative agriculture, authors of seminal literature, and voices of people, wildlife, and centuries-old trees.

Here’s a list of 17 influential scientists, conservationists, ecologists, and other rabble-rousing leaders who’ve been central to the ever-growing green movement.

Most plants that have gone extinct did so due to events beyond human control. But for the past two centuries, many plants have been victims of habitat destruction that caused their extinction.

Here are 10 historic plants that have gone extinct—whether recently or long, long ago.

Forests cover nearly a third of all land on Earth, providing vital organic infrastructure for some of the planet’s densest, most diverse collections of life. They support countless species, yet humans clear millions of acres from natural forests every year, especially in the tropics, letting deforestation threaten some of Earth’s most valuable ecosystems.

We tend to take forests for granted, underestimating how indispensable they are for everyone on the planet. That would quickly change if all the forests on Earth disappeared, but since humanity might not survive that scenario, the lesson wouldn’t be useful then.

Indifference, in turn, often depends on ignorance. So to help the situation get better for woodlands around the world, we’d all be wise to learn more about the benefits of forests — and to share that knowledge with others. In hopes of shedding more light on why forests are so important, and how little we can afford to lose them, here are 20 things forests do for us.

1. Help Us Breathe

Forests pump out the oxygen we need to live and absorb the carbon dioxide we exhale (emit). A single mature, leafy tree is estimated to produce a day’s supply of oxygen for anywhere from two to 10 people. Phytoplankton in the ocean are more prolific, providing half of Earth’s oxygen, but forests are still a key source of quality air.

2. Home to Nearly Half of All Species

Nearly half of Earth’s known species live in forests, including nearly 80% of biodiversity on land. That variety is especially rich in tropical rainforests, but forests around the planet teem with life; insects and worms work nutrients into soil, bees and birds spread pollen and seeds, and keystone species like wolves and big cats keep hungry herbivores in check. Biodiversity is a big deal for ecosystems and human economies, yet it’s increasingly threatened around the world by deforestation.

3. Benefit Millions of Humans

Some 300 million people live in forests worldwide, including an estimated 60 million indigenous people whose survival depends almost entirely on native woodlands. Many millions more live along or near forest fringes, but even just a scattering of urban trees can provide benefits to humans, such as increased property values and reduced crime.

4. Keep Us Cool

By growing a canopy to hog sunlight, trees also create vital oases of shade on the ground. Urban trees help buildings stay cool, reducing the need for electric fans or air conditioners, while large forests tackle daunting tasks like curbing a city’s “heat island” effect or regulating regional temperatures.

5. Keep Earth Cool

Trees also have another way to beat the heat—absorb CO2 that fuels global warming. Plants always need some CO2 for photosynthesis, but Earth’s air is now so thick with extra emissions that forests fight global warming just by breathing. CO2 is stored in wood, leaves, and soil, often for centuries.

6. Make It Rain

Large forests can influence regional weather patterns and even create their own microclimates. The Amazon rainforest, for example, generates atmospheric conditions that not only promote regular rainfall in that forest and nearby farmland but potentially as far away as the Great Plains of North America.

7. Prevent Flooding

Tree roots are our allies in heavy rainfall, especially when it rains in low-lying areas like river plains. They help the ground absorb more of a flash flood, reducing soil loss and property damage by slowing the flow.

8. Soak Up Runoff, Protecting Other Ecosystems

In addition to controlling flooding, trees’ ability to soak up surface runoff also protects ecosystems downstream. Modern stormwater increasingly carries toxic chemicals, from gasoline and lawn fertilizer to pesticides and pig manure, that accumulate through watersheds and eventually create low-oxygen “dead zones.”

9. Refill Aquifers

Forests are like giant sponges, catching runoff rather than letting it roll across the surface. But they can’t absorb all of it. Water that gets past their roots trickles down into aquifers, replenishing groundwater supplies that are important for drinking, sanitation, and irrigation around the world.

10. Block Wind

Farming near a forest provides many benefits, such as bats and songbirds who come out of their forest home to eat insects that threaten crops. Owls and foxes that live in forests also often venture out to eat rats on farms. But forests can also serve as a windbreak for farmers, providing a buffer for wind-sensitive fruits and vegetables. And beyond protecting those plants from the wind itself, forests’ ability to block wind makes it easier for bees to pollinate the crops.

11. Keep Dirt in Its Place

A forest’s root network stabilizes huge amounts of soil, bracing the entire ecosystem’s foundation against erosion by wind or water. Not only does deforestation disrupt all that, but the ensuing soil erosion can trigger new, life-threatening problems like landslides and dust storms.

12. Clean Up Dirty Soil

In addition to holding soil in place, forests may also use phytoremediation to clean out certain pollutants. Trees can either sequester the toxins away or degrade them to be less dangerous. This is a helpful skill, letting trees absorb sewage overflows, roadside spills or contaminated runoff.

13. Clean Up Dirty Air

Forests can clean up air pollution on a large scale, and not just CO2. Trees absorb a wide range of airborne pollutants, including carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. In the U.S. alone, urban trees are estimated to save 850 lives per year and $6.8 billion in total health care costs just by removing pollutants from the air.

14. Muffle Noise Pollution

Sound fades in forests, making trees a popular natural noise barrier. The muffling effect is largely due to rustling leaves — plus other woodland white noise, like bird songs — and just a few well-placed trees can cut background sound by 5 to 10 decibels, or about 50% as heard by human ears.

15. Feed Us

Not only do trees produce fruits, nuts, seeds and sap, but they also enable a cornucopia near the forest floor, from edible mushrooms, berries and beetles to larger game like deer, turkeys, rabbits and fish.

16. Help Us Make Things

Where would humans be without timber and resin? We’ve long used these renewable resources to make everything from paper and furniture to homes and clothing, but we also have a history of getting carried away, leading to overuse and deforestation. Thanks to the growth of tree farming and sustainable forestry, though, it’s becoming easier to find responsibly sourced tree products.

17. Create Jobs

More than 1.6 billion people rely on forests to some extent for their livelihoods, according to the U.N., and 10 million are directly employed in forest management or conservation. Forests contribute about 1% of the global gross domestic product through timber production and non-timber products, the latter of which alone support up to 80% of the population in many developing countries.

18. Create Majesty

Natural beauty may be the most obvious and yet least tangible benefit a forest offers. The abstract blend of shade, greenery, activity and tranquility can yield concrete advantages for people, however, like convincing us to appreciate and preserve old-growth forests for future generations.

19. Help Us Explore and Relax

Our innate attraction to forests, part of a phenomenon known as biophilia, is still in the relatively early stages of scientific explanation. We know biophilia draws us to woods and other natural scenery, though, encouraging us to rejuvenate ourselves by exploring, wandering or just unwinding in the wilderness. They give us a sense of mystery and wonder, evoking the kinds of wild frontiers that molded our distant ancestors. And thanks to our growing awareness that spending time in forests is good for our health, many people now seek out those benefits with the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku, commonly translated to English as “forest bathing.”

20. Are Pillars of Their Communities

Like the famous rug in “The Big Lebowski,” forests really tie everything together — and we often don’t appreciate them until they’re gone. Beyond all their specific ecological perks (which can’t even fit in a list this long), they’ve reigned for eons as Earth’s most successful setting for life on land. Our species probably couldn’t live without them, but it’s up to us to make sure we never have to try. The more we enjoy and understand forests, the less likely we are to miss them for the trees.