Why Specify Ecoforestry Wood?

1. High Quality Products
2. Local Jobs
3. Ecological Protection for the Forest

Ecoforestry Wood comes from Ecoforestry Woodlots, which have been certified by both Nagaya and the Forest Stewardship Council as being managed according to the highest standards of sustainability. Trees are harvested in ways that do not harm the structure and function of the natural forest. The principles and practices of ecoforestry respect the forest itself as the primary "product." Lumber, firewood, paper, and other materials from the forest are regarded as by-products. This means that the principle criterion for good harvesting technique must be the maintenance, or restoration where necessary, of the natural ecological diversity of the woodlot. Harvesting practices such as clearcutting, which reduce biodiversity, cannot be included within Ecoforestry Woodlots.

Economically, ecoforestry is based on full-cost accounting; in other words, the woodlot owner pays all the costs of harvest at the time of harvest. Clearcutting, highgrading, pesticide spraying and other destructive practices, appear to cost less because the ecological and social costs are put off for nature and human society to pay at some later time. Because ecoforestry is not subsidized in this way, all costs must be paid by the woodlot owner. Even though the full cost of ecoforestry harvesting is much less than the full cost of clearcutting or highgrading, the cost which the woodlot owner must pay is higher.

Caring for the forest has benefits for all of society, but a specific benefit, which accrues directly to the consumer, is the high quality of Ecoforestry Wood. Because ecoforestry businesses usually are small-scale and labour intensive, more personal attention can be paid to producing the lumber and wood products, resulting in higher quality and more personalized service.

Ecoforestry Woodlots are not mega-projects. The community-based nature of ecoforestry protects local employment and the long-term viability of rural communities by putting money into people rather than into machines (and the banks and oil companies that finance and fuel them). The savings can be measured in environmental quality and meaningful local employment. It should go without saying that the tax dollars which do not have to be spent on repairing environmental damage, and on the welfare costs associated with disappearing resources, represent a net benefit to society.

One could go on about why it makes sense to specify Ecoforestry Wood, but this is a sampling of what we have heard and experienced. We urge you to promote the ecological health of the forests and the well-being of our rural communities by specifying Ecoforestry Wood.

If your lumber store has never heard of it, or doesn't stock it, tell them why you think it's important. If you would like to learn more about ecoforestry, or where to buy Ecoforestry Wood, write to: The Maritime Ecoforestry School, RR#2 New Germany, NS., Canada B0R 1E0 or email: jim@windhorsefarm.org