I cringe every time I cut into a slab of mahogany. I get sad when I see cocobolo being less and less available. My heart sank when Bubinga was added to the CITES list. My signature in my woodworking has always been the use of exotic woods and fancy shell inlays. I have been diligent in ensuring my suppliers are getting their materials from reputable producers. I just worry about the future of our craft, and what we can do to ensure sustainability, especially with "exotic" woods from Brazil, Africa, and other locations where we may have less control over what really happens on the front lines.
What are your thoughts about sustainability of our craft, especially with so-called "exotic" lumber?