For International Day of Forests today, we’re looking at a baobab grove in Senegal. The indigenous cultures of sub-Saharan Africa, where baobabs grow wild, have long relied on the trees for a variety of uses. The fruit, seeds, and leaves are all edible, and in Tanzania, the wood pulp is a fermentation ingredient in local beers. Forests of all kinds provide many natural resources that humans use, and sometimes overuse. This year’s theme for International Day of Forests is ‘forests and education’; it’s an effort to get us all thinking about the more abstract benefits of healthy forests. A dense forest can clean both the air and water by pulling carbon compounds and other pollutants out of the ecosystem, and forests greatly reduce erosion.
The power of the forest
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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Summer winds down in the Southern Hemisphere
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In the Himalayas for International Mountain Day
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Happy Mother s Day
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Maloja, Switzerland
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Hello, spring!
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Diamond Beach, Iceland
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Happy Lunar New Year!
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Necropolis of Dargavs
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The Aomori Nebuta Festival parade, Japan
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Panda Day
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Independence Day
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Bangkok, Thailand
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The Bazaruto Archipelago of Mozambique
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Yarn bombing in the village of Gurnard, England
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Bryce Canyon National Park turns 100
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Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
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‘Fringe’ takes center stage as Edinburgh celebrates the arts
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Easter
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Put your flippers in the air…
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Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
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Blink and you ll miss it
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How lovely are your branches
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World Rhinoceros Day
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National Gardening Week
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The city of Osaka at night, Japan
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Honoring those who served
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Hanging out on a limb
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Think deep thoughts
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Celebrating Flag Day: ‘O long may it wave’
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Of moose and Maine