The Reforestation Interactive Map

The Nature Conservancy has released a new interactive map identifying 195 million hectares around the world where forest cover could be restored.

"Reforesting these areas could capture 2.2 billion tonnes of CO₂ per year, equivalent to removing 481 million passenger vehicles driven for one year."

Click on a country on the Reforestation Hub map to see how much land could be reforested, how many tonnes of CO₂ this would capture annually, and how that compares to the annual emissions from passenger vehicles.

The map is based on new research conducted by the Future Ecosystems for Africa program at the University of the Witwatersrand. The study identified areas where tree restoration could deliver maximum climate benefits without harming communities or ecosystems. All land selected for reforestation had to meet three key criteria:

• High Tree Cover Potential - Only areas capable of supporting 60% or more tree cover were considered.
• Current Land Use - Areas already forested or permanently covered by water (as of 2020) were excluded.
• Precautionary Safeguards - Agricultural land was excluded to avoid impacts on food security.

By selecting the View US Site button, you can explore the reforestation potential in each U.S. county. This version of the map is based on studies conducted by The Nature Conservancy. More information on the methodology used for the U.S. map can be found on its About page.