September 21 is Forest Workers' Day: history and Traditions, as celebrated in 2025

Every year in September, Russia celebrates the Day of Forest Workers. This is a professional holiday for those whose vocation is to protect and enhance the green wealth of our country. These include foresters, employees of forestry enterprises and nature reserves, specialists in the forestry industry, as well as environmentalists and students of specialized universities. Izvestia tells us when the holiday appeared and how to celebrate it in 2025.

When is Forest Workers Day in 2025

Forest Workers' Day, like a number of other major industry holidays, does not have a fixed date. Every year it is celebrated on a day off — the third Sunday in September, so that all employees of the industry can take part in the celebrations outside of working hours.

In 2025, the holiday falls on September 21. In some regions, celebrations began on Friday and will last all weekend.

The history of a professional holiday

The history of the holiday dates back to the end of the 19th century. Then, on the initiative of Mitrofan Tursky, Professor of the Petrovsky Agricultural and Forestry Academy (now the Timiryazev Russian State Agricultural Academy), a circular was issued in which it was proposed to plant the territories by students. Over time, such events have become widespread throughout the country and have become annual.

In the mid-1960s, a separate holiday was established — the Day of Forest Workers and the Timber Processing Industry, the purpose of which was to raise the prestige of the profession and attract young people to the industry. Since 1980, it has been celebrated on the third Sunday of September. The date was timed to coincide with the adoption of the first "Forest Legislation" in the USSR in September 1977.

In August 2000, the holiday was officially confirmed by a decree of the President of the Russian Federation. In modern Russia, it is called Forest Workers' Day, or Forester's Day.

Every year, the holiday brings together tens of thousands of specialists across the country. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, it continued to be celebrated in other CIS countries — Belarus and Kyrgyzstan. In addition, forest workers are congratulated at the end of March on the International Day of Forests.

Traditions of the Day of Forest Workers in Russia

Traditionally, on Forest Workers' Day, educational programs, excursions, exhibitions, environmental clean-up days and actions are organized in different cities, during which trees are planted in parks and forests, garbage is removed and people learn how to take care of nature.

Corporate events are organized at forestry enterprises and enterprises of the forestry industry to reward the best employees for their achievements and contributions to the development of the forestry industry. Various competitions are also held, for example, in dendrology and orienteering.

The holiday is celebrated on a large scale in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, the Komi Republic, the Irkutsk Region, Yakutia, as well as other regions of Siberia and the Far East, where the largest forests and timber industry complexes are located.

How to celebrate Forest Workers' Day in 2025

Everyone can join the celebration, regardless of their field of activity and place of residence. For example, you can become a participant in an environmental campaign in your city, go for a walk in the forest or on an excursion to the reserve.

Residents of the capital can attend one of the events that were prepared for the Day of Forest Workers in the capital's Department of Environmental Management. The program includes thematic excursions, fascinating quizzes and lectures. The guests of the festival will learn about the importance of forests for the biosphere of the planet and people's lives, about professions related to forests, and many amazing facts about the trees of Moscow.

The events will be held from September 21 to 24 in the eco-centers Kuzminki, Bitsevsky Forest, Vorobyovy Gory, Kuskovo Eco-School, Pokrovskoye-Streshnevo Park and a number of others.

You can share your impressions and photos, as well as tell about your own experience in preserving the green area in your city on social networks using the hashtags #Dayworker2025 and #Save Space.

How to congratulate forest workers on September 21

The best gift on Forest Workers' Day will be themed souvenirs and gadgets that can be useful at work. For example, books or magazines about nature and the forest, wooden figurines or ornaments made of natural materials, a GPS navigator with topographic maps and gift certificates.

The holiday wishes usually celebrate the work of industry workers, emphasizing the importance of their profession. Here are some examples of how to congratulate foresters on September 21:

"Happy Forest Workers Day! On this day, we congratulate people whose duty it is to preserve and increase the main wealth of our country — forests. Let the forests be for you not only an object of professional activity, but also a place of strength, relaxation and a source of inspiration. Happy holidays to you and thank you for our beautiful forests!";

"Dear forest workers! Congratulations on your professional holiday! You are true guardians of nature, and your job is not only to take care of forests, but also to take care of the future of our planet. Thank you for your hard work and dedication! We wish you good health, well-being and further success!";

"Happy holidays, defenders of the forest! You, like no one else, understand the importance of forests for the environment and human life, and your daily work and professionalism deserve the highest praise. May your work always be a joy, and may nature generously reward you for your love and care!"

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the history and traditions of the Day of Nature Reserves and National Parks in Russia.