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When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world.
John Muir
Naturalist and Writer
Remember, Wood comes from Trees!
When people admire wood and wood products, they rarely think for a moment of the country of origin of the forest from which the wood is taken. Nor indeed do they think of the conditions in which the population of that country live or the damage caused to their environment by the destruction of their forests. Nor do they realise that the accumulated destruction of forests in all countries is contributing in a massive way towards overall global warming.
Forests now cover about 30 percent of all land but are shrinking in most countries. They contribute to the livelihoods of many of the 1.2 billion people living in extreme poverty and nourish the natural systems supporting the agriculture and food supplies on which many more people depend. They account for as much as 90 percent of terrestrial biodiversity.
We often hear the word ‘biodiversity’ but what precisely is its meaning and significance. Simply put it is the variety of life forms on Earth- and includes animals, fish, plants, fungi, etc. From a global biodiversity perspective, Africa is home to 25 percent of the world’s remaining rainforests and contains 20 percent of the world’s biodiversity hot spots. Four African countries feature among the world’s 17 “mega-biodiversity” countries. The Central African forests alone store more than 23 billion tons of carbon, making them a critical buffer against climate change.
Patrons of Just Forests
Micheal O Muircheartaigh
It’s an astonishing fact that an area of rainforest the size of Croke Park disappears every second. Illegal logging is often seen as one of the driving forces. It’s time to play fair and give people in developing countries a fair deal and a fair price for their forest resources.
Duncan Stewart
Wood is a wonderful, natural, renewable resource and we must learn to use it wisely. Always ensure all your purchases of timber and wood-based products are only from these FSC-certified sources. This way you will be contributing to responsible forest management and sustainable livelihood.
Dr. John Feehan
Sustainable development is a vision of development that encompasses populations, animal and plant species, ecosystems, natural resources and that integrates concerns such as the fight against poverty. We have to learn our way out of current social and environmental problems.
Our Mission...
To contribute to increased public awareness and critical understanding of the link between sustainable forest management (SFM) and poverty reduction in the third world. We endeavour to advance public support for a values-driven approach to sustainable forestry, livelihood support, biodiversity protection and fair trade in timber and wood-based products.
Latest developments...
EU to ban illegal timber 
Timber Baron/Trader for re-trial
Mahogany, cedar and wood products used in musical instruments, cosmetics and medicines are top of agenda at CITES meeting...