http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news.php All the latest news from the Tropical Forest Trust, linking business with responsible forest management. Registered charity number 1114277. en-gb Copyright 2006, Tropical Forest Trust http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=123 May 2008:  This month's issue of the Timber Trades Journal (TTJ) is a special edition on tropical timber.  TFT was invited to contribute an article featuring an overview of tropical forestry and current trends.  In 'Race against time in the Tropics' we discuss some signs of hope in the battle against tropical deforestation, but also acknowledge that pressure is still on.  The article can be accessed from TTJ's website by clicking here. ... Tue, 13 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=122 In March 2008, TFT formalized its presence in Brazil through signing an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Institute for Conservation and Sustainable Development of Amazonas (IDESAM), a non-profit organization based in Manaus.The MOU is the foundation for a strong working relationship between TFT and IDESAM, supporting both organizations in their complementary projects towards a common goal. In the short term, IDESAM will assist with the establishment and implementation of t... Tue, 06 May 2008 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=118 March 12-14 2008: Tropical Forest Trust staff members recently participated in a 3 day workshop hosted by The Nature Conservancy in Balikpapan, Indonesia. TFT is a partner in TNC’s RAFT (Responsible Asia Forestry and Trade) Program, a 3 year program co-funded by USAID. The RAFT project seeks to increase regional timber trade from legal sources, increase the sustainability of forest management on the ground, and improve regional cooperation on forest management and trade. The Works... Fri, 21 Mar 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=114 TFT member ‘The Warehouse' has topped the Greenpeace New Zealand "Forest Friendly Purchasing Guide".    This new product sourcing survey and report was undertaken by Greenpeace New Zealand together with the Indonesia Human Rights Committee, looking into outdoor furniture retailers purchasing habits.The guide ranks companies based on the following 5 criteriaCommitment to sourcing "Good Wood"The level of timber sourced from reputable schemes such as ... Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=110 February 2008: Responding to the astounding rates of deforestation and wide-spread illegal logging throughout the Amazon Basin, this month marks the beginning for TFT and TTAP in South Amercia.  Our initial work in Brazil will follow TFT and TTAP's proven approach developed in Asia and Africa; connecting forests, factories and distributors to ensure the utilization of legal and sustainable timber products.  Our staff work at all points in the supply chain, providing guidance on ... Fri, 15 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=109 A new report has been issued based on an investigation by Greenpeace and Milieudefensie/ Friends of the Earth Netherlands on the use of Merbau timber for floors and exterior doors in Europe and the related illegal trade. The investigation focused on the Merbau trade into the Netherlands and the illegal trade routes that it takes into Europe.  Findings show that in a survey of 300 timber traders, only one could provide a certificate on the legality of merbau wood, whilst in the surve... Thu, 14 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=108 February 2008:   Tropical Forest Trust (TFT), working in cooperation with the Forest Administration (FA) of the Cambodian government and the Wildlife Conservation Society Cambodia Program (WCS), has developed a model of Commercial Community Forestry (CCF) to promote the goals of sustainable forest management and poverty alleviation in Cambodia.‘Commercial Community Forestry in Cambodia: Development of a Pilot Project in the Seima Biodiversity Conservation Area' presents a ... Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=106 January 2008: People around the world can have a glimpse into the sustainable forestry being practiced by the community cooperative, KHJL, in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia.  The short film (6 minutes), produced by HandCrafted (UK) and Gekko Studios (Indonesia), with funding from the UK Department of International Development, is available for viewing over the internet at: http://www.green.tv/forests_of_sulawesi The film artfully captures the compelling story of KHJL; how the communities&... Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=107 Family owned furniture makers, Frank Hudson, are leading the way for UK indoor furniture by joining the TFT.The High Wycombe company is the first UK furniture maker to join the Tropical Forest Trust in a scheme which lets retailers and consumers see at a glance that only timber from sources working towards independent certification are used."We went through a rigorous scoping assessment process over many months to ensure the best possible start to membership" said director, Tim Huds... Fri, 25 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=105 January 2008: Tropical Forest Trust (TFT) is noting a steady growth in demand for doors made from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood, throughout the UK construction industry.TFT believes this growth may be due to current government initiatives such as Gordon Brown's recently announced ‘green towns' design competition as well as the adoption of the Code for Sustainable Homes by many housing developers who recognise that achieving good eco-ratings can be a valuable ma... Fri, 18 Jan 2008 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=104 Bali, Indonesia: December 7, 2007:  Responding to the growing urgency of climate change and the continued loss of tropical forests, today a coalition of organizations including Tropical Forest Trust (TFT), Global Canopy Program (GCP) and National Wildlife Federation (NWF) have launched The Climate Tree initiative.  The Climate Tree is a forest conservation program designed to respond to climate change by addressing deforestation on a major scale.Tropical Forest Trust, Global Canopy ... Fri, 07 Dec 2007 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=101 November 2007: We're pleased to annouce that CIB has become a member of the Tropical Forest Trust.  TFT's collaboration with CIB dates back to January 2004 when TFT carried out an FSC Gap Assessment of CIB's forestry operations. Since then, TFT and CIB have worked together, along with CIB's other partners, to help CIB achieve FSC certification of its Kabo concession; meanwhile its other concessions are moving strongly forward towards FSC as well. As part of this work, CIB... Wed, 28 Nov 2007 16:47:40 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=100 November 9, 2007:  TFT's work in the Republic of Congo was honored recently at the Tech Awards Gala ceremony (http://www.techawards.org) in San José California. The Gala was a formal black-tie evening attended by over 1,500 of Silicon Valley's brightest and most innovative companies.The Tech Awards program inspires global engagement in applying technology to humanity's most pressing problems by recognizing the best of those who are utilizing innovative technology solut... Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=99 Andalas Merapi Timber (AMT) is one of the natural forest concessions (HPH) that TFT works with in West Sumatera Province, South of Solok District, Indonesia.  They started operating in 1992.  AMT's forest area is 28,400 hectares and their annual average production is 17,000 m3. AMT possesses an integrated primary wood processing facility (sawmill).  Like other HPH typically in Indonesia, almost all of their timber production is sold outside of West Sumatera Provin... Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=98  Land tenure conflict resolved at compartment 107 between Perum Perhutani FMU of Kendal and Forum Perjuangan Petani dan Nelayan Batang Pekalongan (FP2NBP).  The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding & a Collaboration Agreement  provides a way out of conflict towards mutually beneficial actions on responsible management of the shared forest resources. Perum Perhutani as a forest business unit and has a mandate from the Government of Indonesia to manage forests in Java and... Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=96 In late September, Tropical Forest Trust and Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB) facilitated a media expedition to CIB's Concession in Pokola, Congo-Brazzaville.  Journalists from Reuters, BBC and a Danish News Agency were interested in observing firsthand TFT's Indigenous Voices Project and understanding more about CIB's commitment to practice sustainable forest management within the context of Africa.  Accompanied by Scott Poynton (TFT) and Lucas Van der Walt (CIB),... Mon, 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=95 October 9, 2007: Sitra Holdings (International) Limited (Singapore), a Singapore based leading brand-centric distributor of quality wood-based products listed on the Stock Exchange of Singapore (SGX), has joined the TFT as a supplying member .Over the past 27 years, SITRA has grown from a humble sawn timber trader to become a leading distributor of wood-based products and lifestyle outdoor furniture, which carry their own brands. Today SITRA wants to be the first Singapore based company to es... Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=94 Italian Timber Company commits itself to best practice in forest management in critical forest areas bordering a globally significant National ParkModigliana, ITALY (24 September 2007)- ALPI, the largest forest and wood processing company operating in Cameroon, has agreed to enhance its forest management program in partnership with the Tropical Forest Trust. ALPI has operated since 1919 and is renowned for its development of unique decorative wood veneer products. It has been active in tropic... Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=93 Tropical Forest Trust endorses the Forests Now Declaration, contributing to a growing awareness about the integral role forests play in combating climate change and the actions required by governments to reinforce this importance and stop deforestation. The Forests Now Declaration was launched in the heart of the Amazon in Brazil on September 10, 2007.  From Brazil, the Forests Now Declaration will be signed by key stakeholders right across the world's great remaining rainforests. It... Sun, 23 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=91 In response to the announcement that TFT has been honoured by the Tech Awards, TFT's partners in the Indigenous Peoples' Voices Program  deserve a very special mention. First and foremost of these is Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB). CIB achieved FSC certification of its Kabo FMU in May 2006, in part because of the ground-breaking work their teams have done to implement the very mapping project that has been recognized by the Tech Awards.  See full Press Release... Thu, 20 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=90 Tropical Forest Trust (TFT), has been named one of 25 innovators from around the world to be honored by this year's The Tech Museum Awards: Technology Benefiting Humanity. The Tech Museum Awards honor individuals who are applying technology to benefit humanity and spark global change. The TFT's Indigenous Peoples' Voices Program  has developed computer mapping tools incorporating iconic software and automated GPS recording processes for use by non-literate indi... Wed, 19 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=89 The Tropical Forest Trust is seeking a highly motivated self starter with a strong interest in and/or experience of sustainable development issues and forestry an advantage.The position will focus on the project management of a number of different work streams: delivering on Timber Trade Action Plan (TTAP) outputs, assisting TFT clients, external communications, cofunding support and report writing. The position will support and liaise with TFT's expanding team in SE Asia and will be mana... Thu, 13 Sep 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=87 Rarely do alcohol and social conscience go hand in hand but thanks to the collaboration between Free Run Wines and TFT you can now enjoy a great wine and know that more than your palate is being cared for. L'Olivier (The Olive Tree) is an organic Syrah / Mourvedre blend from the Minervois appellation in Southern France. The name, as Nick Bauer one of the Directors of Free Run Wines says, "is perfect, as it builds on the olive branch as a symbol of peace and honours the olive trees th... Mon, 27 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=86 August 2007 - Recognition of their shared objectives towards 1) increasing the area of natural forest under sustainable forest management, and 2) promoting trade in legally and sustainably sourced wood products in Indonesia, has led TFT and TFF to sign a Memorandum of Understanding.  The MOU establishes a framework for cooperation between the two organizations; to develop strategies for future engagement, to encourage the sharing of each organization's tools and methodologies, and to... Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=85 July 26 2007 - The commitment that Congolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB) has taken to incorporate the views of Mbendgele Pygmies into forest management decision making processes was the focus of a News Feature in this week's issue of Nature (Vol 448, pg. 402-03).   Titled ‘Mark of Respect', the article describes the partnership CIB entered into with TFT and the experiences we've shared developing suitable techniques for engaging with local people.  Excerpts f... Mon, 06 Aug 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=83 The new relationship clarifies that TFT is no longer involved commercially with Helveta's TracElite System.  In the past TFT has played a key role in the development of the TracElite System through administering pilot implementation of the tracking system within a TFT member's supply chain in Indonesia.  TFT is pleased to announce the piloting phase of the TracElite system is now complete.   In the new relationship between Helveta and TFT, TFT is not involved in th... Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=81 Crate & Barrel Scores Amongst the Highest in a Recent Comparison of FSC-certified Garden Furniture Offerings at US RetailersA new initiative by the National Wildlife Federation, annually scores major US retailers on their progress towards "greening-up" their wooden garden furniture product lines.  The release of this year's scorecard identifies Crate & Barrel (TFT member) and Pier 1 Imports as top performers by providing the largest selection of FSC-certified garden... Fri, 13 Jul 2007 16:34:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=80 Tropical Forest Trust is pleased to announce that Difac has joined TFT's membership.  The French distributing company has specialized in supplying personal protective equipment for some 30 years and is also well-known for supplying a range of garden furniture and leisure items under the "Dream Garden" Brand.   Difac currently supplies more than 4000 regular wholesalers and distributors throughout Europe.  Through its commitment to TFT, Difac will work to ensu... Thu, 12 Jul 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=79 Tropical Forest Trust (TFT) is pleased to announce that Perhutani Industri Kayu Cepu has become a member of TFT.  Perhutani Industri Kayu Cepu, a factory in Indonesia, processes teak logs from a Perhutani forest (one of a group of 5 such projects) that is working with TFT to achieve Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification.  PIKC has the capacity to process 300 containers of wood products (mainly solid wood doors and garden furniture) per year.  TFT looks f... Thu, 21 Jun 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=78 TFT is pleased to welcome its newest member, Cora-Provera. The French retailer is strengthening its sustainable development policy and through joining TFT has committed to take action on improving their supply chains towards procurement of sustainable tropical wood. Cora-Provera has integrated strong commitments to sustainable development within its business. For instance, since 2002 they have supported reforestation efforts in Indonesia and Vietnam, planting 10,000 trees each year. &nbs... Mon, 04 Jun 2007 16:38:13 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=75 Truong Son, Quang Binh, Vietnam 15 -19 May 2007:Tropical Forest Trust in cooperation with GTZ recently conducted a Reduced Impact Logging (RIL) training program in the Truong Son State Forest Enterprise.  The training was attended by 14 participants, all experienced in forestry and employed by a number of related State Forest Enterprises or Agencies within Quang Binh province.  Reduced Impact Logging places focus on minimizing the environmental degradation that can occur during logg... Thu, 24 May 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=74 Responding to concern that China's massive appetite for raw timber is contributing to tropical forest destruction worldwide, a report prepared for UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) asserts that the situation is ripe for buyers in Europe and the United States to encourage Chinese firms to find sustainable sources of tropical wood."If European and US companies and consumers increase their demand for legally certified wood products, it will inspire a change in... Tue, 08 May 2007 13:49:48 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=73 Lao Cai Province, North Viet Nam 13th - 16th March 2007: A baseline assessment of forest operations in the Bao Yen Forestry Company's Acacia plantations was undertaken by TFT staff members in collaboration with Lao Cai Department of Forestry officials and the forest managers to assess current operations against the FSC certification standard.     The initial output developed by the TFT from the assessment process is a report and a draft Certification Action Plan (CAP).... Tue, 17 Apr 2007 09:35:57 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=67 In 2005 the TFT won a World Bank Development Marketplace for Sustainable Livelihoods grant for an ambitious community radio and mapping project to address some of the most controversial and difficult issues in forest certification schemes such as that of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) - namely how to ensure that industrial activities have the genuine free, prior and informed consent from the indigenous peoples, including non-literate semi-nomadic hunter-gatherers, who depend on the fore... Wed, 28 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=70 Timber Company also Equips Non-literate Pygmy Groups with High-tech, Handheld Mapping Devices to Enable the Protection of Sacred Forest Resources  This spring, construction is set to begin on a small radio station deep in the Congo Basin whose broadcasts will be controlled by non-literate, indigenous Pygmy communities and local farmers. It's the latest development in an unusual alliance that includes one of the world's largest African hardwood timber concerns and an independent n... Wed, 28 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=71 Tropical Forest Trust Expands Global Supply of Sustainable and Legally Verifiable Tropical Timber Products to US$200 million By Tracking Wood "Stump to Store"  The Tropical Forest Trust (TFT), announced this week they have rapidly expanded the China and Africa focus of their effort, which constitutes arguably the world's strongest system for excluding illegal tropical woods from commercial supply chains.TFT has opened an office in Beijing and will soon expand to Shanghai in... Wed, 28 Mar 2007 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=57 The TFT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Lao Cai Department of Forestry in Vietnam.  The agreement was signed on 23rd Jan 2007 between Le Van Lac Director of the Lao Cai Department of Forestry and Simon Greenaway the TFT Indochina Program Coordinator. The MOU will allow the Lao Cai People's Committee and the TFT to work together to improve management of Acacia plantations, in a transparent partnership.  Through the MOU the TFT will provide advice and guidance on... Tue, 30 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=14 Executive Director and Vietnam team map out 2007 activities to build on the achievements of 2006. From the 4-6th December 2006, TFT's Executive Director, Scott Poynton, and our Indochina Programme Coordinator, Simon Greenaway worked with the TFT Vietnam Team to review 2006 activities and develop the 2007 program. "The time together was very productive, we worked efficiently" stated Mr Vu Nam, TFT VN Project Manager. "It was excellent to have Scott to provide comment and gui... Mon, 15 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=15 Destruction of natural forests - mainly in the tropics - causes nearly a fifth of all man-made carbon emissions. As the planet heats, tropical forest conservation is a highly cost-effective opportunity to mitigate global warming.The Stern Report on the economics of climate change argues compellingly that even moderate levels of warming will have serious impacts on world output, human life and the environment. All countries will be affected, but the poorest countries and populations will suffe... Mon, 15 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=13 21st December 2006, Samarinda: Representatives of the Tropical Forest Trust (TFT), The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Sumalindo IV natural forest concession met to agree the 2007 annual work plan towards independent certification. The three organizations committed temselves to collaborate in implementing sustainable forest management at the Sumalindo IV forest concession and to achieving certification under the Forest Stewardship Council system. "The collaborative approach implemented ... Mon, 08 Jan 2007 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=24 20th - 30th November, Gia Lai Province, Viet Nam: TFT staff carried out a baseline assessment of forest operations in Lo Ku, Dak Rong and Tram Lap State Forest Enterprises. The Dak Roong and Tram Lap State Forest Enterprises (SFEs) are TFT's partners under the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Vietnam project "Making the Link: the connection and sustainable management of Kon Ka Kinh National Park and Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve". The SFEs border these conservation areas.... Mon, 11 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=25 The TFT is helping 52 Indonesian wood products factories to exclude illegal and undesirable wood. Similar work is expanding in China, Vietnam and other key producer countries. The TFT's ‘Wood Control System' (WCS) programme attracts less attention than our forest projects, but it's a critical element of our strategy to conserve tropical forests threatened by illegal and destructive logging. Wood Control Systems link factories to acceptable, legal forest operations - t... Fri, 08 Dec 2006 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=26 The TFT-supported ‘Java Community Mahogany Programme' got underway in October this year. Local villagers on the central Indonesian island are improving their mahogany cultivation, working towards FSC certification and developing market links that will increase the value of their plantations for generations to come. A crucial part of any such project is analysing the outcomes and measuring progress. Are forest management standards improving? Are the right market links being made? Wh... Tue, 28 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=27  The UK, Dutch and Malaysian timber trade associations announced a programme of research and meetings to raise awareness of their shared wood legality and sustainability requirements.... Tue, 28 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=28 Two suppliers and a major French retailer recently joined the TFT.Gamm Vert SA Based in Paris, this retail giant operates over 700 retail outlets across France, and has recently entered the garden furniture market. The TFT will help Gamm Vert to link its Indonesian and Vietnamese garden furniture supply chains to FSC certified and TFT project forests.Interbuild AB is a Swedish company that supplies major retailers in Scandinavia, the UK and continental Europe. Interbuild and its Malaysian sup... Mon, 27 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=29 On October 12th 2006 TFT launched a botany programme at the Foyer Frederique in Pokola, northern Congo-Brazzaville. The programme is intended to reinforce traditional indigenous knowledge among the Mbendjele children attending the Foyer who reside at the town of Pokola within the CIB concession.Due to concerns that Pygmy children staying in Pokola town where missing important aspects of their traditional forest education, TFT has sponsored the establishment of a team of Mbendjele women botani... Tue, 21 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=30 This summer, Bruno Bokoto De Semboli completed a bio-diversity monitoring course at the Smithsonian Institute in Front Royal, Virginia. He is now applying his new skills to improve the management of forest habitat in the Central African Republic (CAR). Bruno is the Bio-monitoring Programme Manager of the Dzanga Sangha Special reserve with multiple use (Logging, hunting concession, farming) and Dzanga Ndoki National Park- an area of lowland forest in southern CAR. This summer Bruno received a ... Wed, 08 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=31 Dong Hoi, Viet Nam, October 27th 2006: TFT Viet Nam coordinated a four-day workshop at the Truong Son forest, 24th - 27th October. Emily Blackwell and Roger Busby of Woodmark / Soil Association delivered training in ‘Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Forest Certification and Participatory Pre-Assessment' to TFT staff and their Vietnamese project partners. The 18 participants included forest managers from State Forest Enterprises (SFEs) who are partnered with the TFT in Quang Binh Pro... Fri, 03 Nov 2006 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=32 CIB again secures independent certificate of legal productionDates set for FSC main assessment of two more forest concessionsSocial programme moves forwardCongolaise Industrielle des Bois (CIB) owns long-term harvesting rights over five forest concessions in Congo Brazzaville. The concessions cover 1.3 million hectares of dense tropical rainforest. Early in 2004, CIB announced that it would pursue FSC certification of all five concessions, and that it would work with the TFT and others to tha... Tue, 31 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=33 In Java, Indonesia, the TFT works with five forest districts run by the government-owned Perhutani company, towards sustainable management. Two will seek independent certification of good management under the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) scheme in the near future. Two months ago the Soil Association carried out a pre-assessment of the Kendal and Kebonharjo districts, and identified environmental, social and economic improvements needed to earn FSC certification there. Perhutani has since ... Wed, 25 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=34 Ho Chi Minh city 3 - 6 October: an international conference on Managing Forests for Poverty Reduction heard examples from the Americas, Africa and Asia of how forest industry can contribute to forest protection and poverty reduction. Unfortunately the poor are more often excluded from involvement in commercial logging and timber processing.The conference, which was co-sponsored by the TFT among others, called on policy makers, donors, private sector operators and local communities to work tog... Wed, 25 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=35 Leroy Merlin, the French-based DIY and lifestyle specialist, joined the TFT in September for support with its tropical wood product sourcing.The TFT will work with Leroy Merlin on their garden furniture and flooring supply chains. This will involve linking them to TFT-supported forest projects progressing towards FSC certification, and helping them to develop and monitor robust systems to verify the origin of wood going into their products and to exclude any wood from unknown sources.The prog... Thu, 12 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=36 A group of Javanese village communities are about to start work with the Tropical Forest Trust towards producing FSC-certified mahogany for international markets. After months of consultation and preparation, the TFT-supported Java Community Mahogany Programme is underway. Three project officers are in place at the new programme office at Kebumen city. They will help communities to produce commercially viable volumes of mahogany sustainably and to achieve group FSC certification, in order to ... Wed, 04 Oct 2006 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=37   TFT launches the Joep van Schaik Bright Futures Programme, training retail executives in tropical forestry and legal timber systems.Ronald Elsenaar, of the Dutch retailer Kwantum, flew to Indonesia today as the first ‘Joep van Schaik Bright Futures Programme' scholar. Over 16 days he will receive a unique grounding in social, environmental and technical aspects of sustainable forestry. The course combines involvement in forest and factory operations with teaching session... Wed, 20 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=38 'Made on Earth' has landed a prestigious order to supply furniture for the entire P&O Cruises fleet. This is a major landmark in the growth of the UK-based company, set up only eight years ago in a Bristol garage, with a £3,000 Princes Trust grant. Richard Ballard, Made on Earth's founder and Managing Director, said the order was reward for driving both the ethical and quality standards of his product - Indonesian teak furniture. "Through my membership of the Tropic... Wed, 20 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=39  The first consignment of FSC logs from CIB's Kabo concession, Republic of Congo, has landed at the German port of Nordenham.... Tue, 19 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=40 The World Rainforest Movement (WRM) recently published an article by Chris Lang entitled ‘Laos: FSC Certified Timber is Illegal'*. The article references an excellent and constructive assessment report commissioned by the Finnish Government/World Bank supported ‘SUFORD' programme in May this year. That SUFORD report identified significant problems in harvesting practices at Dong Sithouane. Chris wrongly concludes from the report that illegal logs are being sold from this f... Tue, 19 Sep 2006 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=46 The TracElite timber tracking system, developed by Helveta and the TFT, has been combined with Intel technologies to support sustainable forestry and combat illegal logging in Bolivia.Helveta CEO Patrick Newton recently met with TNC, USAID and the Bolivian Forest Superintendency to confirm details of a new strategy which will provide Bolivia's forest authorities with a powerful new timber tracking capability. Successful trials are expected to lead to a nationwide deployment, dramatically ... Tue, 15 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=41 Robin Barr, TFT Sulawesi Team, writesSulawesi villagers are profiting from their membership in‘Koperasi Hutan Jaya Lestari' (KHJL) as TFT companies buy FSC teak from this unique community owned cooperative. Now more teak-growing villagers are joining.‘When groups were first formed, a lot of farmers who grew teak did not join because they were sceptical of cooperatives. Cooperatives here usually fail.' said Abdul Haris Tamburaka, Head of KHJL, ‘But when farmers saw th... Wed, 09 Aug 2006 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=45 The TFT acknowledges CIB's pioneering determination to raise forest management standards at its Kabo concession and we warmly congratulate CIB and DLH / tt-Timber on achieving FSC certification - a genuine first for the Republic of Congo, and one worth celebrating!This success is the result of a real team effort by CIB involving the whole Management Department team, their Congolese colleagues and forest managers, as well as the efforts of consultants, experts and other partners - too many... Wed, 26 Jul 2006 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=42 To mark seven years of the TFT putting Words into Action‘ this new report summarises our vision, model and achievements since 1999 - translating business aspirations to source wood responsibly, into practical action to conserve tropical forests. ... Mon, 17 Jul 2006 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=44 DEFRA awards Tropical Forest Trust, Timber Trade Federation UK and Global Environment Institute £151,700 for timber supply chain work in China.... Thu, 08 Jun 2006 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=47 11th Conference of African Environment Ministers, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, May 25th:Heiko Liedeker, Executive Director of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), announced that the Kabo forest concession has earned FSC certification - the first anywhere in the Congo to achieve the leading international standard of environmentally and socially responsible forestry.... Thu, 25 May 2006 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=48  The TFT marked its 7th birthday with a reception at the official home of Gordon Brown, the UK Chancellor of the Exchequer. Scott Poynton, TFT Executive Director, announced the organisation's new status as a registered charity, and the membership of two new companies. Hosted by Gordon Brown's wife, Sarah, guests at 11 Downing Street included representatives of the UK and Republic of Congo governments, the business community, environmental campaign groups and many others... Thu, 11 May 2006 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=49 The Soil Association and local certifier Mutu Agung Lestari are set to carry out FSC assessments of Perhutani's Kebonharjo and Kendal teak plantation districts.2nd May 2006: Perhutani, the world's largest teak producer, today contracted The Soil Association and local certifier MAL (Mutu Agung Lestari) to carry out ‘participatory pre-assessments' of two of its teak producing districts against FSC Principles and Criteria. The pre-assessments will identify any gaps and further ... Tue, 02 May 2006 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=50 Perum Perhutani, the principal plantation forestry operation on the island of Java, Indonesia, has begun using TracElite - Always OnTM at their KPH Kendal unit as a part of their Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification qualification activities.... Wed, 19 Apr 2006 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=51 CIB's Kabo Forest Management Plan (FMP) was formally approved by the Congolese authorities during a public meeting held in Ouesso on March 11, removing an important barrier to CIB's FSC certificate for its Kabo concession.... Wed, 22 Mar 2006 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=52 This week marks a new beginning for the TFT as we extend our activities into China, the world's largest tropical hardwood market. As vast volumes of tropical logs and sawn timber continue to head north to China, the TFT is moving too, to support our members, non-member partners and their Chinese suppliers to add environmental and social value to their products. In follow-up to work done in the second half of 2005, Simon Greenaway, TFT's China Programme Coordinator, is curre... Fri, 17 Mar 2006 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=53 Boa Madeira, Bom Negócio é um guia sobre como assegurar que você tenha apenas „boa madeira" em sua cadeia de suprimento. É escrito principalmente para executivos chefes e gerentes sênior de companhias que produzem e/ou fornecem produtos de madeira para o comércio a varejo ou outro mercado de consumo tais como a indústria de construção. Disponibiliza também informação útil para seus clientes por... Thu, 16 Mar 2006 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=54 Bruno Bokoto will apply biodiversity monitoring and assessment techniques taught at the Smithsonian Institute to conserve forest wildlife in the CAR.Bruno Bokoto, of the Central African Republic, is the latest recipient of a TFT Michael Jourdain scholarship. Bruno is the Bio-monitoring Programme Manager of the Dzanga Sangha reserve - an area of lowland forest in south west CAR that sustains high densities of wildlife, including gorillas and forest elephant.The CAR's forests provide globa... Fri, 10 Mar 2006 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=55 TFT members are sourcing Mahogany from Perhutani forest districts, and a TFT Mahogany Program is planned for 2006.TFT members are sourcing plantation Mahogany from some of the TFT-supported Perhutani districts in Java, Indonesia. This year at least one major retailer will stock TFT logo-ed Mahogany furniture. Perhutani's Ciamis, Cepu and Randu districts are among five currently engaged in TFT Certification Action Plans, towards FSC certification. They are primarily teak producers, but al... Thu, 02 Mar 2006 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.tropicalforesttrust.com/news-detail.php?newsid=56 The Portuguese based Vicaima group, one of Europe's largest door manufacturers, together with sister company Madeiporto have attained FSC Chain of Custody certification for their Portuguese facilities, along with ISO 14001 certification.The certificates provide further evidence of the environmental commitments of Vicaima.... Fri, 10 Feb 2006 00:00:00 +0100