Deforestation plagues vast swathes of the world. … Yet, in Europe this trend seems to have reversed. Look no further than Provence, France, where resurged greenery cuts through mountain passes and sprouts up to form one of France’s newest natural parks — the Baronnies Provençales. Set up only four years ago, and spreading more than 1,800 square kilometers, this [forest] is a testament to France’s dedication to regrowing their ancient forests. While the forests of the world are on the decline, those in France are quietly rising. Current estimates show that forests cover 31 percent of France. The country is ranked fourth, in terms of largest forests, within the European Union. …Due to a concentrated reforestation effort and decline in farming, the past 30 years has seen France’s forested areas increase by 7 percent. …France’s success can be contributed to a collective effort of private individuals and public forestry initiatives working together.