15.02.2021. Gorillas, Bongos, Forest elephants and Chimpanzees team up with British architect Tom Wilson in ‘Forest dwellers’, one of the winners of the Conversations about Climate Change competition. Is it possible to sustainably harvest timber and natural products, contributing to ethical and sustainable economies, as well as safeguarding habitats, biodiversity and the health of the Earth? The four Forest Dwellers have been conceived to ask this very question.
Each is made of a timber from its natural forest habitat, sustainably produced with FSC® certification by INTERHOLCO.
The future survival of these creatures, and countless others, is inextricably linked to the survival of their forests: through seed dispersal, they act as ecological architects. But these Forest dwellers are all endangered, or even critically endangered, according to IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature). Tropical forests are often taken advantage of, and forest land is cleared for other uses, according to Timber Trade Federation CEO David Hopkins. That is where responsibly foresting and sourcing timber become an ‘essential part of the solution’ to prevent habitat loss and to reduce harmful carbon emissions.
For his ‘Forest dwellers’ project, Tom Wilson's Curio studio was provided with FSC-certified timber sourced through INTERHOLCO’s production site in the Republic of Congo, a country working towards FLEGT-licensing.
Launched in 2020, the competition was organised with the support of the UK Department for International Development and in association with the Building Centre in London. The competition, originally meant to coincide with COP26, is now running from 12 January to 23 April 2021 at the Building Centre, London as well as, online.
For further information on the Forest Dwellers please visit the following links:
Find out how INTERHOLCO safeguards biodiversity protection in the forest it manages responsibly:
‘Protecting the gorilla forest’ (ARTE film)
INTERHOLCO linking the environmental and social landscape
All photos © Chris Jackson
About INTERHOLCO
INTERHOLCO offers Sustainable Hardwood 'Made in Africa' as a responsible solution to promote better living conditions (construction with wood), reduce climate change, and increase social justice. As FSC-certified producer specialized in producing and trading logs, sawn timber, glued laminated scantlings and other products, INTERHOLCO manages the entire chain, from forest to customers since 1962. Harvesting wood selectively, INTERHOLCO protects 1.1 million hectares of natural forest from permanent conversion to agricultural land, giving 16’000 local inhabitants access to quality basic services and keeping the habitat of thousands of gorillas and elephants.
Communications contact INTERHOLCO
Tullia Baldassarri Höger von Högersthal
INTERHOLCO AG, Schutzengelstr. 36, 6340 Baar, Switzerland
Tel.: +41 (0)41 767 03 82
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