One person, one decision, can make all the difference..

Conservation Now is dedicated to the conservation of Rainforest lands, organisms, and the benefits of these ecological treasures on the Earth as a whole. Our approach is comprehensive and uniquely effective (learn more about our approach here), but we can't do it without you - we need your help. There are a lot of ways you can support our common cause, and the impact of seemingly small decisions might surprise you -- please read on.

The Problem:

The primary cause of permanent tropical Rainforest destruction is the unsustainable exploitation of Rainforest resources. The biggest contributors to the destruction of rainforests are logging of tropical hardwoods and slash-and-burn agriculture. Logging, by far, is the primary cause - according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), 70% of tropical rainforest deforestation due to slash-and-burn is precipitated by logging and mining roads.

Old growth trees that comprise the primary jungle canopy are being consumed (cut down for lumber or burned) at the rate of 2000 per minute worldwide. Most of these trees are hundreds of years old, and are the very foundation rainforests. In most ecosystems, the nutrients that provide life are distributed and recycled through the soil. That's not the case with rainforests, where the majority of nutrients are contained within living vegetation ( most of it in the trees). Without the trees that make up the rainforest canopy, all life is lost because of the heavily symbiotic relationships between rainforest species. Tropical hardwood species such as Jatoba (commonly called Brazilian cherry - found only in the Amazon Rainforest), Mahogany, Ipê, and Nyatoh, are illegally harvested for use in making furniture, hardwood floors, doors, boats, boardwalks, and many other things. Their incredible resistance to rot, as well as their natural beauty and strength make them prime resource targets for manufacturers.

According to the Rainforest Relief organization, the importation of tropical hardwoods must be reduced by at least 90% if we are to be successful in sparing the world’s rainforests, and the remaining 10% must only come from operations that are independently certified as well managed, accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council.

Things you can do to help:

• Know what you're buying: before investing in new floors (tropical hardwood floors are the fastest-growing segment of the $1.87 billion-a-year US flooring market), furniture, or anything else made with wood, find out what kind of wood it is made from. By purchasing products made from tropical hardwoods, you increase the demand for Rainforest resources and exacerbate the problem. If you think, "what's another furniture set," you'll be amazed to know that in some cases, as little as 10 board feet of useable lumber are extracted from the adult Rainforest trees, and that it can take several board feet to produce an outdoor furniture set. That means that a single furniture set could mean the destruction of two entire trees!
  
  

  There are also human rights issues to consider. Almost all of Brazil's $372 million in hardwood exports last year came from the Amazon Rainforest in state of Para, where slave labor and illegal deforestation are rampant. Slave laborers sometimes cut the trees; more often they clear land so loggers can get to the trees and fell them. Another example is that Teak from Burma and teak products from Thailand are not only environmentally unsound, but associated with some of the worst human rights violations in the world. The market for Burmese teak and teak products helps keep one of the most brutal military regimes in power, as teak is one of the only sources of foreign exchange for the Burmese military.

  
  
  You can find a complete list of Tropical Hardwoods to avoid here. Please review this list and consider these issues when purchasing wood products.



• Support Organizations that Support the Environment: there are a lot of organizations that "go the extra mile" (and bear the additional expense) to ensure that their products are originated from environmentally sound methods and resources. A few examples are Chiquita banana, Gibson Guitar, and Vintage Chocolates, and these organizations deserve our support. Other organizations, like National Geographic, play an active role in promoting awareness. We're currently working to compile a comprehensive list, but in the meantime, please do a little research before you buy - one decision can make an incredible difference!
  



• Eco-Tourism: Not only will you have the experience of a lifetime, but spending your vacation dollars on eco-tourism sends a powerful message to the governments of states that contain rainforests. Only when the governments responsible for the care and management of tropical rainforests see the monetary value associated with protecting these treasures will they take the serious action required to stop the destruction. The incredible diversity of rainforest animal and plant species will provide you and your family with incredible memories that will last a lifetime - it's a truly unforgettable experience. The Amazon Rainforest in Brazil is particularly rich with animal life, and there are many eco-tourism lodges throughout the Amazon river basin. Many of these lodges have various rainforest animals that have become somewhat tame through the years of seeing guests, and can be approached for photographs, and in some cases, even handling. Make sure you speak to the lodge staff before approaching any rainforest animals that you see - they will know what is safe to approach and what is not.
  



• Donate: Your donation to us or one of the many other Rainforest conservation organizations will go a long way in advancing to our cause. Conservation Now invests primarily in education and awareness, which is uniquely effective because it approaches the problem at the root -- demand for rainforest resources. But our way is not the only means of stemming the destruction; there are a lot of good conservation organizations out there doing a lot of good things. We urge you to donate what you can, to whatever organization you're most comfortable with. The important thing is that you take action. You can make a difference, and we look forward to your support. If you would like to make a donation to Conservation Now, please click >>here. Alternatively, we've got a small "store" through which we sell framed images taken in South-American Rainforests by members of the Conservation Now team. You can view them >>here. Either way, we'd love to have your support!

More than 85% of the funds donated to Conservation Now go directly to our education programs and awareness advertising campaigns. The remainder is appropriated to administration costs, hosting and technology expenses, and the general fees associated with running an organization. Because of our proactive, reduce-the-demand approach, your assistance will go a long way in preserving our vanishing Rainforests. Please consider supporting our organization - together we can make a difference!