| What is the WWF? WWF stands for World Wildlife | | | | helps the locals and government create revenues and |
| Fund, a non governmental organization working to | | | | guarantees the timber being used will be renewable. |
| conserve nature and protect the world's environment. | | | | With the amendment in the Lacey Act, this type of |
| This group was formed in 1961 and is actively | | | | assistance is much needed as illegal logging is no |
| involved in various efforts worldwide. This | | | | longer tolerated or acceptable. |
| organization has worked tirelessly to inform, educate | | | | One particular species from the Amazon that has |
| and make a difference in the preservation of nature | | | | become popular is Ipe. Tabebuia is the botanical name |
| and wild life especially threatened species and natural | | | | for this exotic hardwood and sustainable forestry |
| resources. One of the projects that WWF has | | | | practices have been put into effect that have helped |
| worked on for more than 40 years and continues to | | | | increase the quantities of this species by replanting |
| work on is the Amazon rain forest. | | | | and utilizing technology to increase growth rate. Why |
| The World Wildlife Fund has been involved in | | | | the interest in ipe decking? This species of hardwood |
| different projects that have produced real results for | | | | has superior lumber qualities such as durability, |
| the Amazon. The Legal Timber Protection Act, | | | | strength, density and a natural resistance to insects, |
| Tropical Forest Conservation Act and Amazon Region | | | | decay, mold and fungus. This beautiful hardwood is |
| Protected Areas (ARPA) are just some of the work | | | | the perfect material for decking. The demand for this |
| WWF has gotten involved in. They utilize business | | | | exotic lumber is great as commercial contractors, |
| partnership, policy advocacy and field work to get | | | | designers and engineers recognize the qualities of this |
| their goals of sustainable forestry and preservation | | | | wood and can feel confident in specifying it for their |
| met. The Global Forest & Trade Network is a WWF | | | | indoor and outdoor applications. Walkways, docks and |
| initiative to eliminate illegal logging and improve the | | | | marinas are some areas with very high traffic and |
| management of valuable and threatened forests. This | | | | extreme weather conditions and when building them |
| is done by assisting with trade contacts between | | | | longevity is always a factor. Ipe has been used just |
| companies committed to supporting responsible and | | | | for that situation. |
| sustainable forestry. WWF works to coordinate with | | | | The decking industry demands products that are |
| local, regional and government contacts to create | | | | durable and eco-friendly. When we utilize FSC |
| policies and solutions to identified present and future | | | | certified decking and responsibly sustained wood |
| threats to forests. | | | | decking such as Ipe, we get the best of both worlds. |
| WWF and the Global & Trade Network conduct | | | | With WWF and the Global & Trade Network's help, |
| forest trade missions in South America for example, | | | | the sustainable tropical lumber coming in will be in |
| to support responsibly sourced forest mills and | | | | demand and set the standards by which importers |
| importing companies find each other and ensure | | | | do business. |
| future growth in the sustainable market. This also | | | | |