A common misconception amongst woodwind manufacturers is that musicians care only about tonal qualities and price when buying a new instrument.
Essential factors yes, but there are other issues to consider:
- Provenance – where the wood comes from?
- Environment – has the timber been responsibly harvested?
- Ethics - how are people treated during production?
Until very recently, it was difficult for manufacturers to address these issues.
The solution was a forest management system that ensured responsible harvesting and proper rewards for forest-dependant people in return for the use of their wood.
That system is now in place through the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and manufacturers can now easily fulfill their environmental and social responsibilities.
