Our mission
Sustainability
by design
GreenWood is designing sustainable development for the real world. We train artisan woodworkers to produce high-quality products from well-managed forests and help connect those products to good markets. We promote appropriate woodworking technology and support the efficient use of lesser-known and lower-value tree species, waste wood and nontimber forest products.
Our goals
Return as much value from every harvested tree to the folks who depend upon—and help sustain—some of earth’s most endangered forest resources.
Create incentives and greater capacity for good forest management.
Strengthen local livelihoods, preserve precious natural resources and reduce carbon emissions, the chief contributor to global climate change.
We teach people of all ages to become skilled artisans and producers of high-value woodwork.
We help those artisans sell their products in local, regional and export markets.
We work with forestry professionals and communities to empower local residents to act as good forest stewards.
We provide a sustainable supply of raw materials for artisan production and other traditional uses.
“The Wood-Mizer bandsaw mill is not only important for improving our houses, for increasing local processing and market options. It is also very important for increasing the self-confidence of the group’s members and community support for forest management.”
—German Oliva Herrera, former president of the Cooperativa Agroforestal Brisas de Copén (agroforestry sawyer’s cooperative), Copén, Honduras