National Afforestation Day

National Tree Planting Day is observed annually in Türkiye on 11 November with simultaneous tree planting activities carried out across the country. This day was officially proclaimed on 6 November 2019 by 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 Tree Planting 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 connect with nature. Each year, the event aims to simultaneously plant 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”, developing and expanding forests over an area of 2,429,000 hectares—equivalent to the size of Thrace—and planted two billion saplings. Building on these efforts, in 2019, in response to increasing forest fires in recent years, the “Breathe to the Future” afforestation project was launched to reforest damaged areas and foster public appreciation for forests. The first activities took place 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, Turkish 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 “Breathe to the Future, Breathe 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 was held 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 recognition of Türkiye’s second century, the project was carried out under the motto “Breathe 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 centenary of the Republic, the project was conducted under the motto “Breathe to the Future, Breathe to the Republic”, with 5,002,023 saplings planted simultaneously in all 81 provinces and 2,023 locations designated as “Republic Forests”. For the 2025 activities, planting sites were designated in various cities, allowing participants to select locations via maps and lists.^【3】 

^{Tree Planting} (Anadolu Agency)

Tree planting activities under National Tree Planting Day have enhanced Türkiye’s international visibility. In 2019, at the Çorum-Celilkırı site, 3,000 people planted 303,150 saplings in one hour across a 150-hectare area, 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 over an area of 21,826 square meters to form the “Largest Tree Pattern in the World”, also certified by Guinness World Records. In 2022, a digital photo album comprising 383,783 photographs of participants in tree planting events was submitted and officially recognized by Guinness as the “World’s Largest Digital Photo Album” on 21 March 2022. These records have elevated the global recognition of Türkiye’s afforestation efforts.^【4】 

The National Tree Planting Day and Breathe to the Future projects aim not only to increase forest cover nationwide but also to raise environmental awareness, cultivate appreciation for trees and forests, nurture environmentally conscious generations, and encourage participation in nature across all age groups. The saplings planted under the project help protect 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 Tree Planting Day activities have been conducted under evolving annual themes and mottos. In 2019, the theme was “Breathe to the Future”; in 2020, “Breathe to the Future, Breathe to the World”; in 2021, “Breathe to the World”; in 2022, “Breathe to Türkiye’s Century”; in 2023, “Breathe to the Future, Breathe to the Republic”; and in 2025, “Breathe to the Future, Breathe to Humanity”. These themes emphasize both the national and international dimensions of the initiative and its goal of fostering environmental consciousness in society.

^{Breathe to the Future, Breathe 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 adopt saplings and make donations through online platforms. This process plays a vital role in organizing the events and raising public awareness.

^{Tree Planting} (Anadolu Agency)

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