Liberia possesses significant forest resources within the West African Sub region. It is considered the most forested country in the region, with 68 percent of Liberia’s land surface covered by forests and remains the only country that was historically covered entirely with rain forest17. Liberia’s forest is made up of approximately 6.69 million hectares (Mha) of lowland tropical forest that comprise 43 percent of the remaining Upper Guinea forests of West Africa.

It has been estimated that between 1900 and 2010, Liberia lost about 12.2 percent of its forest to deforestation. Notwithstanding the high rate of deforestation, forestry resources still provide critical ecosystem services to humans especially nearby communities, economic benefits to the national economy and rich biodiversity to multiple species. Forest provides crucial source of income, jobs, and food security for households as half of the population who lives within 2.5 kilometers of a forest earns 35 percent of their incomes from the forest. Further, Liberia’s forests are home to 881 known fauna species,of which 0.8% are endemic and 4.2% threatened; and at least 2,200 flora species of vascular plants, of which 4.7% are endemic.

Beyond the above mentioned benefits from forestry, it also contributes significantly to Liberia’s economy. It is the fourth largest contributor to the economy after services, agriculture, and fisheries, mining, and panning.The sector contributes 10% to GDP and employs 39,880 full-time equivalent workers, of whom 35% are women. The informal sector also brings countless benefits to communities. Chainsaw milling provides up to 24,000 regular jobs and contributes each year, up to $41 million, about 3 to 4% of GDP. The charcoal industry employs up to 28,000 people on a regular basis. Non-Timber Forest Products such as fruits, honey, meat, nuts, and plants are vital to the livelihoods of most of the rural population.