Ecoforestry is an alternative to industrial logging. Using minimal impact harvesting methods, landowners fell a small number of carefully selected trees, and process and transport the timber without damaging the surrounding forest.
This ecotimber is sold to overseas markets, providing local people with
independence, an income and employment while protecting their forest
resources for the future. Greenpeace estimates that ecotimber provides
up to ten times more profit to local communities than large scale
logging operations.
Other
options for income generating activities include ecotourism and the
manufacture of non-timber forest products such as tapa cloths, bilum
bags and nuts. These sustainable alternatives can only exist if the
forest is preserved.
Solomon’s ecotimber
In the Solomon
Islands, ecotimber is milled from hardwood species Pacific
Mahogany/Koilo (Callophyllum), dillenia (Dillenia salomonensis) and
Taun (Pometia pinnata). It can be used for joinery, floorboards,
benchtops, decking, panelling and furniture.
The ecoforestry industry in the Solomon Islands has shipped beautiful ecotimber to New Zealand and Australia.
“Ecoforestry
is much better than logging. I prefer ecoforestry because we keep
control of our forests and it does not spoil our sea, land, rivers and
water catchment.” Redol Gebe, project manager of the Lobi Ecoforestry
project in the Solomon Islands.
Want to know if wood products from ancient forests have come from ecoforestry? Be sure to purchase
Forest Stewardship Council certified timber.