Our Environmental Committment

Forests contribute to our quality of life as well as the fundamental survival of ours and many other species. As a society, we utilize many products in our daily life that originate in the forest. Lumber is used to build houses, to furnish and decorate our homes, and for paper in our homes, schools and offices. There are very few people who do not use lumber products on a daily basis. All of us have a responsibility to understand how the production and use of these lumber products affects us and our environment.

In recent decades there has been a strong environmentalist movement against the cutting of trees. This movement has changed how the lumber industry manages its forests and has raised awareness of the need to avoid short-sighted practices within the industry. Unfortunately, some of this movement continues based on misinformation and myth. It is interesting to note that most lumbermen and lumberwomen would consider themselves to be environmentalists long before there ever was such a term. These are individuals and families that cherish the outdoors and all of its splendor. They have a personal and economic desire to see our environment understood and respected.

When most people think of the lumber industry they think of beautiful forests that have been left devastated, through clear-cutting, by companies that irresponsibly demolish forests for money. In fact, the hardwood industry never clear-cuts. Peter Thomson & Sons is a hardwood wholesale company.

We are also led to believe that forests, once logged, will never regenerate and that these locations will be forever barren. Species of plants and animals are apparently forever lost. In fact, even large areas that have been clear-cut are soon thriving forests complete with a multitude of plants, animals and insect species. Some types of plants and trees actually require fire and soil disruption to regenerate. The forest quietly, steadily and methodically renews itself following these `ecological disasters'. While no one can dispute the `ugliness' of a freshly logged area, it does not remain like this for long. Plants and animals quickly thrive and transform the area with new habitats, just as they have for centuries past.

Sincerely,
Peter Thomson & Sons, Black Bear Flooring