Nearly two years ago, Rafael Correa, the President of Equador, announced that oil drilling in the Yasuni National Park would commence, despite the historical Yasuni-ITT initiative of 2006. While Correa had agreed to prohibit drilling in the incredibly biodiverse park (which is also home to two tribes that have little-to-no contact with other humans) if enough money were raised, the amount pledged only totaled 10% of the $3.6 billion required. According to Correa, the already impoverished nation simply cannot afford to go without the revenue promised by the oil. In 2014, nearly half of the signatures on a petition to stop the drilling were determined to be invalid, sparking protests across Ecuador.
Whether the Initiative’s failure did, in fact, “deal a body blow to conservation efforts and unleash a tide of oil development,” as a reporter from National Geographic predicted, it has certainly added fuel to the flames of international controversy regarding natural resources and human responsibility.
The Significance of Sustainability
Even if the Yasuni-ITT Initiative had succeeded in raising the funds required by Correa, there was a problem with the so-called solution from the start: It lacked sustainability. Oil, of course, generally lacks that characteristic, which is precisely where the forestry and lumber industries are distinct.
While lumber is, of course, a natural resource, it is also sustainable. Or at least it can be. Unlike the dilemma surrounding oil and other depleting natural resources, the way to increase the value and longevity of trees in tropical rainforests is actually not to stop buying lumber. By contrast, those who do buy imported lumber are actually the ones keeping those forests alive.
The Importance of Income
As the Yasuni-ITT Initiative taught us, conservation pleas can go only so far: the bottom line is still the bottom line. Unlike the dilemma this presents regarding the oil industry, it’s actually good news for lumber.
As long as a country’s forestry industry remains healthy, it contributes to the GDP, providing revenue and jobs that give them value within the economy.
However, when lumber loses its monetary value, land owners are essentially forced to clear-cut forests and disrupt the entire ecosystem in order to pursue other means of revenue.
As land owners destroy what could have become a long term resource (lumber), they pick the “fruit within reach” (opting typically for cattle ranches and palm oil plantations) and hurt their chances of longer term economic growth.
The Reality of Renewal
Because lumber, unlike oil, is entirely renewable, today’s forestry management plans help ensure that those resources will not be depleted. By combining strategies for quality and yield increase with active replanting, property owners are able to do more than retain original value — they can see it increase!
For those who truly care about the environment, the beauty of wood lies beyond its aesthetics and resides chiefly in its renewable nature and quality contribution to the global ecosystem. Because of lumber’s unique renewable nature, it can both support local economies and contribute positively to our global health.
The bottom line is this: When you buy tropical lumber, everybody wins.
J. Gibson McIlvain Company
Since 1798, when Hugh McIlvain established a lumber business near Philadelphia, the McIlvain family has been immersed in the premium import and domestic lumber industry. With its headquarters located just outside of Baltimore, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company (www.mcilvain.com) is one of the largest U.S. importers of exotic woods.
As an active supporter of sustainable lumber practices, the J. Gibson McIlvain Company has provided fine lumber for notable projects throughout the world, including the White House, Capitol building, Supreme Court, and the Smithsonian museums.
Contact a representative at J. Gibson McIlvain today by calling (800) 638-9100.
At J. Gibson McIlvain, we import many tropical lumber species, many of which come from Africa. We are serious about quality, though, so before we form a relationship with a new source, our highly trained experts visit the lumber mill personally. During those initial visits, we check for sustainability efforts, continuous supply, and premium quality. We also complete thorough research to ensure legal and responsible harvesting and check the paper trail to help guarantee an untainted supply chain. By exercising this kind of caution before we form relationships, we are able to promise our customers that the African lumber they purchase from J. Gibson McIlvain is absolutely the best wood that Africa has to offer. In addition to 
Because of Sapele’s consistent appearance, flatsawn Sapele takes moulded edging well; at the same time, quartersawn Sapele boasts increased stability. On the soft side for a hardwood, Sapele is gentle on tools, a characteristic that most woodworkers find quite positive. The fine dust that Sapele produces, though, can sometimes cause skin irritation and respiratory problems if proper precautions are not taken. Harder than Mahogany, Sapele tends to cost approximately half the price of Genuine Mahogany and less than Utile (a lumber that will be discussed below).
Utile
The hardness and decay resistance of this hardwood make it excellent for decking, and movement in this wood is minimal because of its density. This natural resistance to movement and warping translates into durability for any surface. In addition, the strength in this hardwood helps it remain smooth and splinter-free.