LivingWoods Ltd. founded in 2007 supports sustainable forest management in tropical

regions based on ecological and social criteria. With these activities, we can protect

rainforests from the increasing pressure of forest management on a long-term basis

and present alternatives to destructive exploitation. At the same time, LivingWoods

invests in reforestation of depleted, erosion-sensitive woodlands fostering mixed for-

ests. This is how we actively contribute to biodiversity and climate protection.

«We do not just sit on our hands and wait – we stand up for the protection of endangered tropical rainforests.»

«It does not happen right at our doorstep, but we will experience the consequences sooner or later.»

Population growth, livestock farming, monocultures replace forests

By now, fifty percent of the original area of rainforests has been destroyed for ever. If

destructive exploitation continues unimpaired, a further quarter of the current total

area will disappear by the year 2050, according to WWF. Population growth and in-

creasing demand for farmland aimed at livestock farming and other monocultures are

the main reason for destruction. Rainforests are being destroyed by fire and clear cut

with utter disregard. However, not only rainforest are disappearing, but also multitu-

dinous endemic animal and plant species. Rather frequently, not even precious natural

resources of these forests, such as wood, are used, but are also burned. The wide-scale

use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers as well as the incipient erosion cause further

ecological and social problems.

Global warming has worldwide effects

The consequences of devastating destruction are not only felt on a local and regional

scale, but also globally, since the destruction of rainforests has a worldwide impact on

the climate. The wood of trees contains large amounts of carbon. With each hectare of

tropical rainforest burned, roughly 220 tons of harmful carbon dioxide are released to

the atmosphere. Furthermore, tropical forests are of utmost importance for the water

and oxygen systems of the earth. LivingWoods minimizes its carbon dioxide balance

and negative impacts on humans and environment through sustainable and protective

forest management concepts.

Eco-friendly forest management

In more specific terms, sustainable management means to use natural forest products

in an environmentally sound and species-friendly way. Thus, only single trees are

felled and carefully removed from the forest. In the cleared area left behind, young

shoots grow again. Timber roads do not leave permanent damage to the canopy of

leaves and disappear after a few years. Additionally, a land use zoning plan guarantees

that each forest lot will remain untouched for 25 to 30 years after being used for for-

estry. This measure allows nature to completely regenerate. Switzerland’s forest man-

agement concept has been tried and tested for several centuries. Now, LivingWoods

uses the plenter and permanent forest management in the rainforest and constantly

enhances it.

«We foster sustainable forest management because we want to contribute a large share to worldwide climate protection.»

Efficient use of wood resources

Wood is a renewable resource and enjoys a good reputation when it comes to national

and tropical products. Wood grows naturally without affecting the environment. Trees

absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide from the air and accumulate it. Many precious

and utility woods from tropical countries have properties which domestic woods do

not have, such as resistance to pests and fungus, durability despite adverse weather

conditions, hardness, texture and beauty. Chemical wood preservatives are thus redun-

dant. The wood obtained through sustainable forest management is processed in situ

and therefore creates further jobs along the value chain.

Stimulate demand for timber

Through its own web-based timber trade platform and professional sales organization,

LivingWoods stimulates the demand for the renewable resource wood on the interna-

tional market. With a detailed forest inventory, necessary information on tree types,

wood quantity, location and delivery time are calculated and offered on the interna-

tional timber market in real-time over the Internet. On the timber trade platform,

LivingWoods connects international buyers and offers of precious products from

sustainable forest management. LivingWoods adjusts its production to the demand by

felling, cutting and transporting trees, once orders have been placed.

Guarantee protection of biodiversity and forest reserves

Since we only fell a few trees in a forest section, the forest maintains its biodiversity

and soils are not exposed to erosion at any time. Forest areas with an extremely rich

biodiversity or protective function, such as river banks and habitats for rare flora

and fauna, will never be touched: we will let nature take its course. Additionally, we

protect such primary rainforests and all forests managed by us for the future with

contracts, preventive measures and strict and constant controls.

«Our goals are definitely high – but the more people support our idea, the further we get.»

We want to stop the continuing destruction of natural rainforests through sustainable

forest management in every aspect. This means to act according to strict ecological

and social principles.

We want to create new life and bring back biodiversity to cleared areas and eroded

soils through careful reforestation. This is our important contribution to biodiversity

and climate protection because growing forest ecosystems foster the binding of

harmful carbon dioxide in the trees.

We want to have an optimized resource management and a lean cost structure. That is

how we make sure that our available funds are invested in the right place where they

are most needed and have the maximum positive impact.

We want to offer profitable and fair job opportunities to the local population. By

generating as much added value as possible on a local scale, we create jobs.

We want to be a strong partner in environmental protection. With the necessary

economic power we will reach our ecological and social goals and contribute a

significant share to the worldwide environmental protection and the fight against

climate change.

Local integration

Local subsidiaries manage the land purchased by LivingWoods. We choose the land

according to economic, political, ecological, social and logistical criteria. Our compe-

tent and strong partner, Instituto Peabiru in Belem, supports us in legal, ecological and

social issues. We can count on the long-year experience of Instituto Peabiru especially

when it comes to cooperation with grassroots organisations and village communities

in the Amazonas region. This cooperation is important for us because LivingWoods

involves the local population and promotes education for young people.

International networks

The cooperation with international environmental organisations is an important

pillar of our strategy. We stand for sustainability based on profitability because we

are convinced that this is the best way to successfully protect the environment for the

future.

Precise environmental protection

All forest areas controlled by LivingWoods are used in a gentle and sustainable way

according to criteria by FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and ITTO (International

Tropical Timber Organisation). We are mainly active in the sustainable management

of existing forests. Middle and long-term projects include investments in mixed tree

plantations. While at the beginning, the primary material wood is in the fore, the

production and distribution of semi-finished material and products will then be con-

stantly analysed and gradually enhanced.

«Together we reach more – that is why we cooperate with local and international partners.»

«You can support us through investments in the protection of rainforests»

Publisher LivingWoods Ltd.P.O. Box 1279Forchstrasse 22CH-8032 Zurich info@livingwoods.ch www.livingwoods.net.

Concept and design Sergeant AG, Zurich www.sergeant.ch

Images Thomas Marent, Neuenhof www.thomasmarent.com

www.livingwoods.net