World Wood Day

World Wood Day falls on March 21, the Vernal (Spring) Equinox. The day highlights wood as an eco-friendly and renewable biomaterial. It also aims to raise awareness on the key role of wood in a sustainable world through biodiversity and forest conservation. The day also reminds us about the importance, value and uses of wood. World Wood Day is normally a week-long celebration by artists, educators and hobbyists all over the world. The celebration focuses on various uses of wood. The celebration provides a platform for people to make their own contributions, in whatever way, for the sustainable future of our planet and environment. The first World Wood Day was held in Tanzania in 2013. Since then, it has been held in different countries with different themes. The 2018 celebration was held in Cambodia with the theme ‘Life’. The 2019 World Wood Day was held in Austria with the theme, ‘Change’. In 2020, it will be held in Japan with the theme, ‘Legacy’. Wood grows on trees, in tree trunks and branches. There are two types of wood - hardwood and softwood depending on the type of trees. The inner structure of the tree makes what the wood looks like, how it behaves and what we can use it for.