The article discusses the current state of forest lands, history of forests in the region and analyzes some of the results of implementation of target programs of the Samara region to improve forest cover in the region under the Kyoto Protocol. This program was designed for the period from 2006 to 2015, but in 2009 was discontinued. However, part of the funds were allocated and a number of works have been carried out. Currently, the program's goals to increase the forest cover on the territory of the Samara region through the creation of forests has not been achieved. Trees and bushes play an important role in reducing the activity of the processes of erosion, prevent degradation and desertification. Therefore, the problem of increasing the forest cover of the territory, especially in the steppe part of the region, to the level of the preindustrial era remains relevant and requires evidence-based interventions for their solution.