This first episode of Dear Forests will cover all that you need to know about deforestation, the 'basics' if you will. Together with Tropical Forests Policy Officer Pieter Van de Sype from BOS+, we will define deforestation, explore its impacts on our climate and our daily lives, discuss important geolocations, and get to know different actors in the fight against deforestation.

Pieter's overall focus is on the importance of forests for the wellbeing of local communities and a resilient global society in Climate, Cocoa, and Wood. His main work focus however is lobby and advocacy on deforestation (and legislation to prevent it, mainly European Deforestation Regulation - EUDR); advocacy for the support for communities and countries in the global south to protect, restore and sustainably manage, their forests, as well as agroforestry (combinations of trees or shrubs are grown around or among crops or pastureland).

BOS+ is an NGO dedicated to sustainable forestry, conservation and afforestation in Flanders and worldwide. A new name in the forest landscape, BOS+ is the integration of 2 existing NGOs: the Association for Forests in Flanders (VBV), which has been promoting forests in Flanders for more then 40 years, and Groenhart, since 10 years doing the same in a number of tropical countries. Their successful collaboration culminated in the creation of BOS+ in 2012. BOS means ‘forest’ in Dutch, and the '​+'​ in the name symbolises togetherness (collaboration), more forests and better forests.

Feel free to follow their journey on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook or visit their website for more information.

**Sponsored by the WWF Belgium in collaboration with DGD (Direction générale Coopération au développement et Aide humanitaire).