Rainforest Statement

As woodworkers and consumers of wood products, we all need to be extremely aware of our impact on the earth. As a maker of furniture utilizing both domestic and imported woods, I am very concerned with the proper procurement of the raw materials that go into all my pieces. My personal feeling, and I think it’s safe to say that it holds true for most wood consumers is: if we cut down all the trees, we’re out of a job! Therefore it’s our mission to give value to the forest products, not to boycott them.

This is particularly important when working in imported or exotic woods as these trees grow very slowly. But the indigenous peoples of the rainforests are hungry. Food and survival will come before the forests, so the slash and burn style of agriculture by the nomadic native people is a short-term fix to the hunger problem. Once the thin topsoil washes away, they’re forced to move to a new locale and more irresponsible clearing takes place. If we can offer them financial incentive to add value to the raw material, they’ll be less likely to burn it down. If we boycott all rainforest products, they will without a doubt burn it, assuring it then has zero value. So, one way to help save the rainforest is to BUY something made out of an exotic wood. Give it value and cherish it by featuring it in a project.