Mahogany for the Future, Inc., was organized and incorporated under the laws of Puerto Rico and the United States exclusively for charitable, scientific, and educational purposes, more specifically, to help ensure the future of the neotropical timber species of the Family Meliaceae, through research, conservation, and ecologically and socially responsible use.

Mahogany for the Future, Inc. Starts Fundraising

As you may have read in a recent Thomas Friedman column (The New York Times December 16, 2007), a critical point has been reached for conserving the world’s tropical forests. Conservation, production, and sustainable use of valuable tree species help protect and restore tropical forests, ensure the supply of fine tropical woods, and sequester carbon to mitigate climate change. In support of these goals, Mahogany for the Future, Inc. is a non-profit organization, headquartered in Puerto Rico, USA, devoted to the conservation and sustainable use of high-value tropical timber species, especially mahogany. Please see the growing Mahogany for the Future website at www.mahoganyforthefuture.org .

Funds are being solicited for Mahogany for the Future. In 2008 these funds will be used mainly for small, local projects in the Caribbean and Central and South America that promote the organization goals of conserving high value tropical timber species and the forests they grow in. Mahogany for the Future will select these projects for support from proposals made by local organizations and students (the call for these proposals is available upon request). Proposals will be evaluated by a jury of scientists and other experts in tropical forest management.

Because this organization is just getting started, your donations (no matter how small) will help make it happen. A seed fund of $2000 has already been established, and the goal for 2008 is $5000 total. Although you receive many calls for donations, please consider seriously this timely, worthwhile effort. Checks dated and mailed by December 31, 2007, to Mahogany for the Future, Inc., PO Box 21072, San Juan, PR 00928-1072 count as a deduction for 2007. Donations are 100% tax deductible, since Mahogany for the Future currently has status with the IRS as a 501 (c) (3) tax exempt organization. IRS credentials are available upon request.

The Board of Directors of Mahogany for the Future includes Frank Wadsworth, PhD, retired director of the International Institute of Tropical Forestry; Nick Brokaw, PhD, well-known forest ecologist; Alberto Rodríguez, retired forester; Wilma Ríos, teacher with expertise in community outreach; Gary Gervais, PhD, biotechnologist with expertise in grants management; Sharon Rowley, PhD, English professor; and Sheila Ward, PhD, ecologist with expertise in forest genetics and grantsmanship. Contact Sheila Ward, (seward@caribe.net). See also the soon-to-be published (February 2008) special issue of the journal Forest Ecology and Management on mahogany and other species, edited under the flag of Mahogany for the Future.

Created by: Rene Aguinaga and Justin Gray