ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY
ADS operates under strict IBAMA and international guidelines in order to ensure that our Prime Material is sourced from forest areas which are fully documented and which harvesting is according to sustainable forest management programs.

DEFORESTATION
Deforestation is responsible for about 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Driven in part by consumer appetite for cheap beef, leather, timber, biofuels, tropical oils and products, as well as paper products, deforestation is proceeding at the rate of an estimated 13 million hectares a year. That translates into 50,000 square miles, an area more than half the size of the United Kingdom, being lost every year.

What seems to be the opposite technique to clearcutting is selective/sustainable logging. Selective logging is often considered a better alternative to clear cutting in which a large area of a forest is cut down, leaving little behind except wood debris and a deforested landscape. Selective logging is the practice of removing specific trees in a forest based on height and species, the thought being the wildlife and ecosystem will remain intact because full tree cover and forest population will not be lost. In another words “Selective logging is a less intensive form of forest harvest that minimizes forest disturbance.”

While it may sound counter-intuitive, the logger is now the forest’s best friend as far as ecoactivists are concerned. That’s right, logging – or harvesting trees from a forest for commercial profit – is now being embraced and applauded by the green community as a way to protect the world’s forests. This change of heart is surprising to many, as logging has traditionally been thought to compromise forest eco-systems, endanger wildlife, alter soil nutrients, and disturb natural watersheds. However, in the past few decades, most ecologists have come to the conclusion that sustainable, eco-conscious logging is overall better for the environment than allowing forests and brush to sprawl at will. Only one problem remains: what constitutes “sustainable logging”?

Logging in the Amazon is controlled by strict licensing which allows timber to be harvested only in designated areas. Any companies which intend to continue logging in the rainforest must submit detailed forest management plans in order to extract timber. Each time they are only allowed to remove trees selected by forest engineer. Trees are identified by specie and tagged. Seed trees of each specie are left so that natural regeneration may take place. Trees that are under certain sizes are also left in place so that they may be cut in the next logging cycle in 20 to 30 years.

Our factory in Brazil fully comply with Government agency in Brazil - IBAMA, an equivalent of the EPA. IBAMA has recently implemented "Zero Deforestation Policy" and was deploying their agents along with Federal Police to the states of Para and Mato Grosso in an effort to control and prevent any outbreaks of deforestation.

The United States in 2008 amended its long-standing Lacey Act to prohibit commerce in illegally sourced plants, including wood products. The new law is a significant change for the forest products sector, creating a previously non-existent level of responsibility all along the supply chain. Abiding by the Lacey Act will require many companies in the U.S. and abroad to make changes to their business practices.

REFORESTATION EFFORTS
Realizing the importance of the beautiful and rich forest areas with which the Amazon region was blessed, ADS© Fine Woods is fully committed to environment and involved in reforestation programs to preserve natural resources.
ADS© Fine Woods enforces practices that preserve the natural habitats for all native plants and animals. ADS© Fine Woods also minimizes impact on soil, water, land, and local population by harvesting only the amount that will regrow inbetween harvests.

ADS© Fine Woods benefist the indegenous people, local workers and communites in addition to the forest management practices with local employment. ADS© Fine Woods fully complies to the Forest Stewardaship Council (FSC) prinicipals and practices for forest preservation.

 
REACHING OUT 
We would like to reach out to everyone who appreciates the treasures of Amazon. The largest tropical forest where very high temperatures and high annual rain fall encourage a dense growth of lush forest around the equator grows an extraordinary variety of trees.


ADS Fine Woods has over 20 years experience in wood processing in South America and United States. Carefully selected trees come from a pollution and pesticides free environment in the Amazon forest.

WEB RESOURCES ON ENVIRONEMNTAL ORGANIZATIONS

FSC (Forest Stewardship Coucil)