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Today, only 1% of tropical hardwoods comes from plantations. The pressure on our world's remaining rainforests is tremendous. Many times logging roads are cut one mile into a rainforest to remove one tree. Experts estimate that we have already lost more than half of the world's rainforests and that the remaining rainforests could be consumed within 40 years. Tree plantations reduce that pressure and provides an alternative for the growing demand of exotic tropical wood. In fact, often times the wood from plantations is superior because the trees are pruned and selectively cut.
Our plantation is located hundreds of miles from the nearest rainforest in a region of the tropics described as cerrado (savannah). Although the cerrado is not as bountiful as the rainforest, it is still home to unique wildlife and fauna which is why we set aside at 20-35% of our plantations as a natural reserve. That equates to almost 8000 hectares! This land was registered with the government, is posted and fenced off and can never be developed. Our reserve is presently being replanted with native trees that produce fruit for the wildlife and we have plans to develop a hiking trail so that people can continue to experience and enjoy the natural beauty of the region.
The level of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere has been steadily increasing over the past century and some believe it is the main culprit behind global warming. Trees remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store or sequester the carbon as plant material. Only after the tree is burned is the carbon re-released into the atmosphere. If new trees are planted to replace the ones used as fuel, no net increase in CO2 has been created. If the wood is used in construction or to make furniture, the carbon will continue to be sequestered indefinitely. Oil and coal release CO2 as well but the CO2 is never returned once the oil and coal are burned.
On an individual basis, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has determined the average two-person American household produces 60,000 pounds of CO2 per year. A typical American household can usually offset all of their emissions by investing in the planting of only 90 to 175 trees. Just think, each 10 hectare parcel on Fazenda Vallas will offset the emissions of 1000 American households!
Use the following links to calculate your household CO2 emissions:
American Forests Climate Change Calculator
The following link provide further information on how trees reduce CO2:
What Trees can do to Reduce Atmospheric CO2
Our plantations are located in a region of Brazil that is poor and less developed. Our neighbors, for example, just received electricity for the first time. Developing a tree plantation here creates jobs that are much needed. But besides providing employment, our plantation tries to set the example for other businesses by providing superior housing, well balanced meals, uniforms, proper equipment and an enjoyable work environment. Care is taken to ensure employees receive all the benefits entitled to them from the government. Time is set aside to register new workers so that the plantation can pay their social insurance tax thereby making them eligible for a government pension in their old age. For many, it is the first time they ever worked as a registered employee. It is also a plantation requirement that employees with children enroll in Brazil’s “Salario Familia” program. Through this program, each employee with a family receives from the plantation an extra R$20 per month per child as long as that child stays in school. The child’s school records are passed to the accountant and the business receives an equivalent reimbursement through a tax credit. It’s a little extra paperwork, but it keeps children from skipping school to shine shoes. In just a short time, the results have been amazing. Employees have bought more livestock, parents start to emphasize education with their children and we even had one employee buy a tractor and start his own contract tractor business.
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