Our Project
BACKGROUND -Though we are just launching our website, our Dalbergia Preservation project has been in the works and developing for almost four years. With very little scientific study or published / documented research on this species to refer to, there has been a lot of ground work on our part to find out more about this mysterious and elusive tree.
Early on, in our studies and research, we were fortunate to have met and recruited Francismar Aguiar (Institute of Botanical Research) in Sao Paulo - Brazil to join our team. Francismar has been in the environmental trenches and working within the Brasilian Government over 30 years in the reforestation of Pau Brasil (Caesalpinia Echinata). We could not have asked for a more knowledgable mentor and partner. He has been very succesful in reforestation and bringing awareness to the near demise of the species responsible for giving Brasil it’s name. Fortunately for us, there are many similarities in the history, region of origin, and properties between Pau Brasil and Brazilian Rosewood. This has worked in our favor for developing ideas and creating solutions in our reforestation project. With the success rate of Francismars’ many years of work in reforestation, we are modeling our project after his example.
Dalbergia Nigra Seedlings at 2 years - Sao Paulo, Brasil
OUR FOCUS - Our flagship species and current main focus is ”Dalbergia Nigra” (Brazilian Rosewood), due to it’s almost extinct status. However, we have plans to expand into other Dalbergia species. Three others that are mostly found in Brazil and have scarcely been studied are: Tulipwood-(Dalbergia Frutescens), Kingwood-(Dalbergia Cearensis) and Amazon Rosewood-(Dalbergia Spruceana). Our research so far, is showing these species are also highly threatened with extinction. With approximately 300 species in the Dalbergia family found in tropical and sub tropical regions throughout the world, only a few are known to produce Rosewood. The varieties that are most threatened have earned their ”Endanger of Extinction” status due to their ability to produce high quality Rosewood.
Our 3 areas of concern:
- Preservation - preserving the last existing “Old Growth” trees that still remain is vital in our efforts. Why ? The “Old Growth” trees are key in assuring genetically true seed stock for future production of new trees. Though we are constantly searching and gathering seed stock for future production, the sources are becoming more difficult to find. We would like to expand our efforts in incorporating education to local communities and encourage their support and involvement in reporting illegal logging. However, in all honesty, this will be a challenge. With the majority of small communities in Brasil suffering economic poverty most of us can’t imagine, it’s difficult for them to refuse the financial temptation these trees offer. To counter this, we would like to start a rewards program that would offer a set amount “Reward” (for lack of a better term) to anyone reporting illegal logging of Rosewood trees that leads to the arrest and conviction of illegal poachers. Also, to give small communities the opportunity to start “Sustainable” resource tree farms on their privately owned land with seedlings we donate to them. As an extension effort, helping set up small financial assistance programs to help support participants and encourage their continued participation. Personally knowing these people, I can attest to the fact how little money they manage to survive on. The amount you normally spend on a leisure trip to your local Wal Mart could support them for an entire month.
- Reforestation - is key to preserving these species. This will be the major portion of our efforts. Replanting seedlings in areas where these trees were once found in abundance. Donation of seedlings to private land owners as well as small communities and municipalities in these areas where we will be allowed to plant and monitor the growth and survival rates. Also, our goal is to buy the parcel of land to establish a permenant location for our project. It’s our goal to purchase an area large enough to establish a substantial stand of trees that will eventually become a permanantly protected area. As well, it would serve as home base to continue our research and tree production for extended reforestation.
- Sustainable Resources - Last but not least, establishing sustainable resource plantations to meet future demands is a vital area. With the demand and value placed on quality rosewood supplies, it’s naive to think we can protect the future of reforested trees without fulfilling the continuous demand. Managed sustainable tropical tree farms are the best assurance for protecting trees in the wild. This is an area we will be pursuing in our long term plans.
Our seedling production of Dalbergia Nigra began a little over 3 years ago. With new seedlings added each year, we now have 3 stages of growth and approximately 300 young trees ready to transplant. The photograph on the left are our youngest and smallest seedlings that are now strong enough to survive the transition. Click the photo for a larger Image.
We realize in the grand scheme of things, 300 trees is not a lot. However, we have the capability to produce thousands per year which could make a huge impact on reversing the threat to these species. Our largest obstacle at this time is not having a permanent location for our project. We are currently working and housing our facility at a borrowed location. This dramatically limits the ability to realize our full potential. To take our project to the next level and make a dramatic impact, we need support. Sponsorship and Donations are the means to acquire a parcel of land to continue and expand our work.
How you can help - there are many ways you can help and support our project. Of course, the most logical way is through a donation. If you would like to make a donation, please visit our Donation link page. However, we realize not everyone will or can afford to do this. For those who can’t afford a donation but,would like to help, there are other ways you can be part of our project.
- If you have a website, you can add a banner link from your site to ours. You can copy / save that below and ask your webmaster to include it onto your site.
- If you are a computer junkie like me, you can start a blog, start an email campaign or contact your local wood suppliers, flooring companies or anyone else who derives a part or all of their income from the sale of wood or wood products. There are many creative ways to bring awareness to our project that only take a little time. We need others who share our concerns to bring awareness to the general public about the effects of deforestation around the world. And to get them involved in participating in projects like ours.
- Fundraisers, yard sales, online auctions on Ebay or other ways to raise money to help support us. Our project has not been cheap for us. Until now, this has been a personal financial sacrifice that my wife and I have totally funded. We are average people living on an average income but, have made many sacrifices to start this effort. We wouldn’t ask you to do anything we aren’t willing to do ourselves.
- We are not trying to make a profit….we are trying to make a difference. Not only in our lives but, the lives of local people in Brazil and the overall health of our planet. The trees we are trying to save have given us so much pleasure from the use of the beautiful wood they have provided. Unfortunately, they have not been given the respect they deserve by insurance of their survival. Most people are takers. So, we must depend on the minority of givers to help us in saving these species.
LINK BANNER
Our 2008 Goal - is to purchase a parcel of land for a permanant location to continue and expand our project. We are not currently able to achieve our full potential of tree production due to lack of space and resources. Given the needed conditions we could be producing 5,000 to 10,000 trees annually which would have a dramatic impact in reversing the threat to the dalbergia species. However, at todays exchange rates from U.S. dollar to Brazilian Reais, we need to raise $10,000 U.S. to purchase an adequate parcel of land.
UPDATE:
We are regretful that we didn’t come anywhere close to reaching our 2008 goal. However, our work will continue and we hope for a better 2009. As always, we need your support.
