Sustainable Wood: The Fijian Mahogany Program
Every day the world moves it’s collective mentality to the protection and sustainability of the planet. Gone are the days where we don’t have data that shows that we can abuse our resources into extinction. Thankfully, programs undertaken worldwide, like the Fijian government’s genuine mahogany laws on sustainability, allows us the ability to continue to use resources we love while ensuring that it will still be around for generations to come.
As a choice of wood for decking and woodworking, is genuine mahogany sustainable?
The short answer is yes.
But only if you buy genuine mahogany from a company that supplies it from a sustainable plantation. Finding your way here to Green World Lumber is a good start. GWL supplies genuine mahogany from the government regulated plantations of Fiji.
A Little History of Mahogany
The reason why it is important to get your supplies of genuine mahogany sustainably is in large part due to its past.
When Europeans first stumbled upon mahogany it was akin to finding gold that grew up to the skies. It quickly became a staple of shipbuilding due to its resistance to rot. Add the fact that it was very easy to work with and kept stable and you have a recipe for a fantastic resource to make powerful and reliable ships.
Then it became popular with the wealthy and nobility due to its rich colour and beautiful grain pattern. Lavish and well made furniture and rooms were built with mahogany. This craze bled into the local populace and the wood became a worldwide sensation. It was afterall, considered a luxurious product.
Can you guess what happened next?
Unfortunately, consideration to the long term sustainability of the forests of mahogany was not paid attention to before the 20th century. The forests were decimated and it became an endangered resource.
So What Makes Fijian Mahogany a Sustainable Wood?
Seeing the potential to create employment and wealth opportunity for its peoples, the Fijian government authorized large plantations of genuine mahogany. Capitalizing on the demand of a luxurious wood that was running in short supply, they cultivated a business model that ensured that the mahogany would be sustainable. They provided the watchful eye and enforced regulations to ensure the longevity of the mahogany forests for generations to come.
They have strict rules on the number of trees that can be felled and sold. They limit the amount of worldwide supply to ensure that there cannot be any abuse of their precious resource.
This has enabled Fiji to breathe new life into mahogany while giving its people a new source of income and employment.
Wood Sustainability & You
So next time you are looking to buy mahogany wood, be it for a mahogany deck, furniture, or woodworking project, it is up to you to make sure you are seeking out hardwood lumber suppliers that use a sustainable product.
At Green World Lumber we take pride in our ability to provide you with an outstanding and luxurious product that is grown sustainably. In the end, if we didn’t help ensure the continued success of mahogany forests we would soon find ourselves out of a job!
But it is a two way street. We’ve done our part in offering a sustainable wood for your decking needs. It is now your turn to make sure you buy your genuine mahogany from a trusted and sustainable supplier.
So, is genuine mahogany sustainable? Through Green World Lumber and the Fijian mahogany program, you bet it is!
If you want to learn more, check out our Sustainability section.
