NEW YORK -- Gibson guitars are going Green in 1996. Just in time for Earth Day on April 22, Gibson guitar makers have produced the world's first production-line guitar made entirely of Smart Wood -- wood harvested under a renewable resources program overseen by the Rainforest Alliance. The project, in the developmental stages for the past two years, produced the Gibson Smart Wood prototype, a Les Paul Standard model. All the wood for the guitar was certified by the Rainforest Alliance, the international non-profit environmental organization. '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 reliable, long-term supply of resources for everyone,' said Henry Juszkiewicz, chairman and chief executive officer of Gibson Musical Instruments. 'Needless to say, we've used a lot of wood in the first hundred years at Gibson. By using Smart Wood, we'll be certain that our most precious resource will be available for another hundred years.' Maple for the face of the guitar was harvested by Menominee Tribal Enterprises in Wisconsin, while chechen wood for the fingerboard and mahogany for the body and neck were harvested by Sociedad de Productores Forestales Ejidales in Mexico and provided by Eco Timber International. 'I had a strong feeling as a user of natural resources that we have a responsibility and an obligation to protect those resources,' Juszkiewicz said. The Gibson Les Pauls are the first guitars of 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 overcutting of forests, develop positive relationships with local communities and workers and plant trees on cleared or degraded land. Companies that meet these requirements can use the Smart Wood 'seal of approval' on their products. 'Smart Wood represents the cutting-edge of market-driven conservation,' said Daniel Katz, executive director and co-founder of the Rainforest Alliance. '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.' Gibson and the alliance worked closely together to get the program under way. 'We've been looking for new sources of wood,' Juszkiewicz said. 'I had discussions with the Montana division manager about the fact that wood, especially the kind of wood used to make guitars, is endangered, so we were looking for wood in a future secenario. He came into contact with people at the Rainforest Alliance a few years back and I thought we had to pursue this. 'I knew very little about the program, but as a user of wood I knew we should be behind techniques to make wood a renewal resource. It's in the best interests not only of world population but industry as well. Unfortunately it never seems to be looked at that way by industry.' The prototype guitar will be presented to singer Jackson Browne, who will play it at a series of benefits for the Rainforest Alliance. 'We hope to be a prototype for industry (and) green cooperation,' said Juszkiewicz. 'In the greater scheme of things instrument makers are not the largest users of wood. Paper is a much larger user. 'We also want to kind of be an inspiration. Not only are we committing to the smart wood program ourselves, were interested in getting other industries to cooperate. 'I feel good about being part of the solution,' he said, 'rather than part of the problem.' (release at will)
