National Afforestation Day

National Afforestation Day is observed annually in Türkiye on 11 November, with simultaneous tree planting activities held across the country. This day was officially proclaimed on 6 November 2019 through Presidential Decree No. 2019/24, with the aim of preserving forest resources, managing them sustainably, and leaving a healthy environment for future generations. Activities are coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the General Directorate of Forestry and involve participation from public institutions, civil society organizations, and citizens.

The primary purpose of National Afforestation Day is to increase Türkiye’s forest cover, control erosion, enhance biodiversity, and protect environmental values. The day also serves as a tool to promote public appreciation for trees and forests, raise environmental awareness, and enable citizens to establish meaningful connections with nature. It is organized as an annual event targeting the simultaneous planting of millions of saplings across the country at 11:11 on 11 November. Beyond expanding green cover in public spaces, the activities contribute to wildlife nutrition, support honey production, and create recreational areas that allow all segments of society to access green spaces.

^{Tree Planting} (Anadolu Agency)

Between 2008 and 2012, Türkiye implemented the “Afforestation Campaign”, which developed and expanded forests over an area of 2,429,000 hectares—equivalent to the size of Thrace—during which two billion saplings were planted. Building on these efforts, in 2019, in response to increasing forest fires in recent years, the “Breath to the Future” afforestation project was launched to reforest damaged areas and strengthen public appreciation for forests. The first activities were carried out simultaneously in all 81 provinces, with 13,791,435 saplings planted across 5,223 locations. The planted species include both coniferous and deciduous trees such as fir, cedar, black pine, Scots pine, stone pine, hornbeam, walnut, almond, mulberry, wild pear, dog rose, lavender, and lilac, as well as fruit-bearing species that provide food for wildlife.^【1】

In 2020, the project expanded internationally under the name “Breath to the Future, Breath to the World.” A total of 4,446,803 saplings were planted across 5,230 hectares in 1,052 locations, with representatives from over 50 countries participating and approximately 50,000 saplings planted in 28 countries. In 2021, the main event took place on the AOÇ land in Ankara, with approximately 5.2 million saplings planted across all 81 provinces, involving 300,000 participants, and by year-end a total of 252 million saplings had been planted.^【2】

In 2022, in commemoration of Türkiye’s second century, the project was carried out under the motto “Breath to Türkiye’s Century,” with approximately 4.2 million saplings planted across 81 provinces and 922 districts in 1,023 locations. Leaders of Turkic World states participated via live connections. In 2023, under the centennial of the Republic, the theme “Breath to the Future, Breath to the Republic” was adopted, with 5,002,023 saplings planted simultaneously across all 81 provinces and “Republic Forests” established in 2,023 locations. For the 2025 events, planting sites were designated in various cities, allowing participants to select their preferred locations via maps and lists.^【3】

^{Tree Planting} (Anadolu Agency)

Afforestation activities under National Afforestation Day have enhanced Türkiye’s international visibility. In 2019, 303,150 saplings were planted in one hour by 3,000 people on a 150-hectare site in Çorum-Celilkırı, an achievement officially recognized by Guinness World Records as the “Most Trees Planted in One Hour by an Unlimited Number of People at a Single Location.” In 2020, in Ankara’s Çubuk district, 452,023 saplings were planted across an area of 21,826 square meters to create “The World’s Largest Tree Pattern”, which was also certified as a Guinness World Record. In 2022, a digital photo album comprising 383,783 images of participants in the tree planting activities was certified by Guinness as the “World’s Largest Digital Photo Album” on 21 March 2022. These records have elevated Türkiye’s afforestation initiatives on the global stage.^【4】

National Afforestation Day and the Breath to the Future projects aim not only to increase forest cover nationwide but also to raise environmental awareness, foster appreciation for trees and forests, cultivate environmentally conscious generations, and encourage participation in nature across all age groups. The planted saplings help preserve soil, prevent erosion, enhance green infrastructure, and create recreational areas, while also contributing to wildlife nutrition and offering social and economic benefits such as supporting honey production and generating income through valuable tree species.

National Afforestation Day activities have been conducted under evolving annual themes and mottos. In 2019, the theme was “Breath to the Future”; in 2020, “Breath to the Future, Breath to the World”; in 2021, “Breath to the World”; in 2022, “Breath to Türkiye’s Century”; in 2023, “Breath to the Future, Breath to the Republic”; and in 2025, “Breath to the Future, Breath to Humanity.” These themes emphasize both the national and international dimensions of the initiative and its goal of building environmental consciousness within society.

^{Breath to the Future, Breath to the World} (Ministry of National Education of the Republic of Türkiye)

Activities are coordinated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the General Directorate of Forestry, with participation from public institutions, civil society organizations, and citizens. Participants can engage in sapling adoption and donation processes through online platforms, which play a vital role in organizing the events and raising public awareness.

^{Tree Planting} (Anadolu Agency)

National Afforestation Day and the Breath to the Future projects have received numerous national and international awards. Nationally, they have been recognized among the best social responsibility initiatives, and internationally, the General Directorate of Forestry was honored with the “Institutional Excellence Award” by the Mediterranean Parliamentary Assembly. The project is regarded as a vital platform for showcasing Türkiye’s environmental efforts both domestically and globally and for demonstrating exemplary practices.