The 7,200 acres (2,914 hectares) of southern Costa Rica that make up Tropical American Tree Farms are sown with trees ranging from cocobolo and mahogany to purpleheart and teak. Owners Steve and Sherry Brunner, who grow the trees for profit, strive for conservation and sustainability. They have developed positive relationships with their employees and local people. Indeed their business has a positive impact on the long-term social and economic well-being of nearby communities. We know all this because at the Brunners’ expense, an organization called Smartwood has certified Tropical American Tree Farms as being a responsible forest manager. Smartwood, which makes it its business to check these things, believes there are all-round benefits in certification: for local communities, because they derive social... [Log in to read more]