Gibson Introduces "Smart Wood"

For years, the guitar has been used as a tool by socially-conscious musicians to spread a positive message.
It only makes sense that the guitar upholds the same values as the artist who plays it. With these principles in mind, Gibson introduces the Gibson "Smart Wood" guitar, the first-ever production-line guitar made completely of "Smart Wood," wood that is harvested without destroying the environment.
Two years in planning, the first model (a Les Paul Standard ) has been finished and will be unveiled at a press conference to take place in New York. All the wood for the guitar was certified by the Rain forest Alliance, the international non-profit environmental organization. Maple for the "top" of the guitar was harvested by Menominee Tribal Enterprises in Wisconsin. The chechen wood fingerboard and mahogany body and neck were harvested by Sociedad de Productores Ejidales in Mexico and provided by Eco Timber International.
The Gibson Les Pauls are the first guitars produced in conjunction with the successful Smart Wood program, which certifies environmentally responsible forest management. It is the oldest and largest wood certification program in existence, with nearly 10 million acres registered globally. Its goal is to reduce the negative environmental impacts of logging and ensure sustainable forest development. Certification requires that companies protect local biodiversity and watersheds, minimize damage to remaining forests, prevent over-cutting of forests, develop positive relationships with local communities and workers and plant trees on cleared and degraded land. Companies that meet these requirements can use the Smart Wood "Seal Of Approval" on their products.
"As a global leader in the production of the world's finest musical instruments, Gibson is committed to set the standards in terms of the environment and help provide a long-term supply of resources to everyone," Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman & CEO of Gibson Musical Instruments said. "Needless to say, we've used a lot of wood in our first hundred years as a company. By using Smart Wood, we'll be certain that our most precious resource will be available for another hundred years."
"Smart Wood represents the cutting edge of market-driven conservation," Daniel Katz, Executive Director and cofounder of the Rain forest Alliance said. "The producers we certify gain access to the expanding market for environmentally responsible products for green consumers and musicians. Gibson is to be congratulated for taking the lead and positioning the music industry as good environmental stewards."
Now that is something any folk singer can be proud of... not to mention the rest of us.

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