Forests Near or Far Can Protect Water for Cities
Provided by: Global Forest Watch|Published on: January 17, 2023|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Geography, Health
Authors: Edie Juno, John-Rob Pool, Global Forest Watch
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This article demonstrates the importance of protecting forests by describing how forests near and far can help maintain water quality in cities.
- Students will learn that inner forests help in stormwater management and infiltration, nearby forests assist in flood control, and faraway forests play a part in the global water cycle.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This article thoroughly describes the connection between cities, forests, and water, making it a great read for teaching about the interconnectedness of people and the environment.
- Visually appealing infographics demonstrate concepts of the water cycle, water treatment, infiltration, erosion, and flood control.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should already be familiar with the water cycle and associated vocabulary such as infiltration, runoff, evaporation, and precipitation.
Differentiation
- To learn more about this topic, students can explore the many links to additional resources throughout the article and share their findings with the class.
- Students can discuss nature-based solutions and brainstorm additional examples of these to protect water quality.
- Students can identify forests in or near their community and research ways they can help protect them.
- For further investigation, your students could explore the Global Forest Watch Interactive Map.
This resource explores the benefits of sponge cities and watershed management in restoring and treating urban water to sustain the environment and mitigate climate change. The resource is valid and recommended for teaching.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
