Grace Jeffers, a design expert and wood products research specialist, details endangered and non-legal wood species, including Lacey Act protections, in a June 13 presentration at 11:00 a.m. at NeoCon 2016 in Chicago.
Grace Jeffers
New legislation worldwide is cracking down on the purchase and export of threatened, endangered, and illegally sourced wood. Not knowing the facts and legal issues could cause unexpected liabilities for designers, specifiers, and for wood manufacturing firms anywhere along the supply chain.
Jeffers will examine the relationship between wood products, and the forests from which they come, and provide key information resources that will help you rapidly identify threatened and endangered species, and at-risk environments.
In this one-hour session attendees will learn to navigate through tricky territory with confidence, getting the tools to protect clients and their own businessess, as well as to protect our natural resources. Jeffers will also provide options for providing clients the very finest alternatives, latest products, and best design ideas available.
Jeffers has spent several years research the status of endanger tree species. Her wide-ranging presentation will also examine the relationship between individual trees and the forests in which they live. She will also delve into the global registries, such as Cites, used by regulatory agencies around the world, and as reference points for legislation.
Based in New York City, Jeffers lectures frequently on design at colleges and consults for high end clients like Wilsonart and MeadWestvaco. She was part of the creative team that rebranded, revitalized and repopularized the Airstream travel trailers.
More than 40,000 are expected at the commercial furniture and design show, which runs June 13-15 at the Merchandise Mart.
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