A recent study challenges the long-held belief that forests primarily prevent small and moderate floods, asserting that they can also mitigate large floods significantly. As climate change increases flood frequency and severity, relying solely on traditional infrastructure like dikes and dams is becoming inadequate. Many governments are exploring nature-based solutions, yet funding and implementation remain limited. The study advocates for a shift from non-causal to causal research methods, which better illustrate how changes in forest cover affect flood risks. Healthy forests play a crucial role in flood management by returning moisture to the atmosphere, promoting water infiltration, and regulating snowmelt. This research underscores the importance of integrating forest management into flood risk strategies, suggesting that forests can complement traditional flood defenses while offering additional ecological benefits. The authors call for a collaborative approach to land management across jurisdictions to effectively reduce downstream flood risks.