sign in sign up
<<
Home , Rainforest Alliance, Rattan

The Alliance

AROUND THE WORLD, IN , ON FARMS AND ALONG or raw — comes from a or farm managed to seashores...in kitchens and stores, classrooms, pressrooms conserve and ensure the rights of workers and and boardrooms...the Rainforest Alliance is at work, creating local people. To further promote , SmartWood a global standard that helps protect biodiversity and that encourages the recycling of old and wood products offers economic opportunities to populations in need. by awarding a certified seal of approval to products made from reused, reclaimed and salvaged Responding to a Changing World . From the cool forests of the northwestern United States to the During the next two decades, the lowland tropics of Papua New Guinea, human population is expected to grow the Rainforest Alliance has certified from 6 billion to 7.7 billion. In their more than 69 million acres of forest struggle to feed, clothe and house worldwide. With offices and partner their families, people everywhere will groups in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, continue to exert pressure on the , Bolivia, Brazil, Spain, world’s limited resources, particularly Denmark, and , SmartWood in and around our planet’s most serves clients and customers around sensitive and unique ecosystems. the globe. Simply designating areas as parks and preserves is not enough. Although While local and indigenous people 10% of the world has already been directly depend on forest resources declared protected, local people for their livelihoods, they may lack the continue to rely on the resources technical skills and tools to use them within protected zones to earn their judiciously. During the past fifteen livelihoods. years, governments everywhere have been turning over forested areas to There is a solution. The Rainforest local communities, a trend that is Alliance is helping people to change expected to continue. To help local their land-use practices, setting communities develop sustainable standards for the long-term sustain- The Rainforest Alliance works around the globe to practices and earn a living from able use of resources so that we can conserve biodiversity and improve quality of life. non-timber forest resources — such conserve the planet’s great wealth of as nuts, rattan, and — the biodiversity and help people use the resources they need Rainforest Alliance ensures that community and indigenous without compromising them for future generations. operations have equal access to our certified services and markets. Saving Forests Sowing Seeds for the Future Over the last four centuries, half of the world’s forests have been cleared. In Farming is the leading destroyer of wildlife response to this significant loss, the habitat, a principle cause of flora and fauna Rainforest Alliance pioneered forestry extinction and the largest user of freshwater. certification in 1989 with the launch of Agriculture already occupies one quarter of the Earth’s SmartWood, the world’s first sustain- lands. As population pressures increase and the conversion Sustainable forestry able forestry certification program. To of forests to farmland accelerates, current practices will only helps workers and encourage market-driven, environmen- continue to accelerate the cycle of poverty that so many protects wildlife. tally and socially sound management farmers experience. of forests, tree farms and forest resources, we award a seal of approval to operations that follow strict standards for To integrate productive agriculture, biodiversity conservation sustainability. SmartWood certification guarantees consumers and human development, we developed our Sustainable that any — whether it’s a guitar, a bookcase Agriculture program. Today, more than 155,000 acres of farms have significantly operators, government agencies, reduced their use of herbicides, civic organizations and travelers invested in recycling and provided throughout Latin America learn their workers with improved from each other and share infor- training, housing, health benefits mation on the benefits of and and , thereby earning standards for sustainable . the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal of approval. We also stamp Engaging the Public our seal on well-managed , chocolate, citrus and cut-flower The conservation efforts of the farms throughout Latin America. Rainforest Alliance will have little Sowing the New Green Revolution permanent impact unless the is a huge challenge, but the public understands and supports Rainforest Alliance certification ensures access to farmers, scientists and activists education, housing and healthcare for farm and forest our goals, so communication and involved in our Sustainable workers and their families. education have always been an Agriculture Network — a consor- important part of what we do. tium of nine leading conservation groups in Latin America — Worldwide, we work closely with leaders, journalists, are planting the seeds of change. conservation colleagues and government officials, and we reach tens of thousands of concerned consumers, children, Bringing Sustainable Products to Market parents and teachers through our publications, special events and Web site (www.rainforest-alliance.org). Our virtual refer- In partnership with the United States Agency for International ence library, the Eco-Index Development (USAID), the Rainforest Alliance is leading a (www.eco-index.org), helps major, three-year effort to promote and increase sales of conservationists and scientists responsibly produced certified timber, banana and coffee share information and insights. from Central America and Mexico. By strengthening the The Rainforest Alliance’s competitiveness and sustainability of agriculture and timber Education program provides operations, the Certified Sustainable Products Alliance brings an online curriculum and mul- new investment and trade to the region, while supporting tilingual resources to teach practices that benefit the environment as well as protect the school-age children about the The Rainforest Alliance rights and resources of workers and local communities. world’s diverse and threatened educates consumers about ecosystems. making sustainable choices. Biologically Sound Touring By reducing the deleterious impacts of forestry, agriculture With 700 million people traveling and tourism — especially in ecologically critical regions — every year, tourism is not only and improving the lives and livelihoods of people living and big business, but a growing working in these areas, the Rainforest Alliance is setting source of revenue for people living new standards. With more than 31,000 members, a budget of in areas that are particularly rich $15.5 million, and projects active in over 58 countries, we are in plant and animal species. While recognized as a world leader in the successful design and protects tourism can produce serious implementation of conservation measures and methods the planet’s natural beauty. negative impacts for local people that will sustain our Earth’s people and places for decades and the environment, it also has the potential to provide to come. incentives for conservation. The Rainforest Alliance is working with other organizations and experts worldwide to develop best management practices for sustainable tourism that help tourism suppliers and consumers effectively contribute to biodiversity conservation and social welfare.

Sustainable Tourism Stewardship Council (STSC) — The www.rainforest-alliance.org Rainforest Alliance is launching regional networks to share The mission of the Rainforest Alliance is to protect information on how the tourism industry is promoting ecosystems and the people and wildlife that depend on them by transforming land-use practices, business practices and sustainable resource management. Sustainable Tourism consumer behavior. Companies, cooperatives and landowners Certification Network of the Americas — Through the that participate in our programs meet rigorous standards network, we are helping tourism certification programs, tour that conserve biodiversity and provide sustainable livelihoods.

Rainforest Alliance New York . United States . Canada . Mexico . . Guatemala . Indonesia . Spain . Bolivia 665 Broadway, Suite 500 . New York, NY 10012-2331 . Tel: 212/677-1900 . Fax: 212/677-2187 www.rainforest-alliance.org