More and more people are referring to the FSC for sustainability these days than I’ve experienced with Ipe over the past three years.  Although I think it is a good thing, I don’t believe it’s the only choice the end-user has to make.

What about IBAMA?  Instituo Brazileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renovaveis or Brazilian Institute for Environment and Renewable Resources is a government body that regulates timber harvesting.  Each individual Brazilian state sanctions IBAMA to enforce guidelines so each tree felled can be traced back within a database called the Document of Forest Origin (or DOF for short.) 

So what does this mean?  Well, with the help of the Police to combat any environmental crimes and the help of scientists and satellite imagery using NOAA and LANDSAT, IBAMA does an excellent job of ensuring us that the Ipe harvested comes from land that adheres to strict guidelines and managed forests. 

As much as I support the FSC (SCS-COC-003171) and value their involvement within particular regions by setting up markets and promoting social growth, I still feel it is necessary to inform people that there are other agencies in place that inhibit deforestation.