On July 5, United States was selected as a finalist for the Future Policy Award for measures passed in 2008 to curb international trade in illegally harvested timber products.

The 4th Potomac Forum on Illegal Logging and Associated Trade explored changes that are having a positive impact, including government regulations such as the Lacey Act, increased market demand for legal products, and growing expertise among conservation groups and the private sector.

Corey Brinkema, president of the Forest Stewardship Council and Rick Cantrell, vice president and COO of the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, are among the presenters scheduled to speak at the 3rd Dollars & Sense of Going Green Conference, March 17-18.

The world community is banding together to punish those who profit from illegal timber harvesting.

ATLANTA, GA -- The chief executive officer of A440 Pianos Inc., an Atlanta-area company that specializes in the reconditioning and sale of used pianos, recently pleaded guilty to charges of illegally shipping international protected elephant ivory into the United States.

NEW YORK -- Within the past year, almost 30 companies located in 10 countries have teamed up with the Rainforest Alliance to achieve legality verification for their wood products.

Gibson is working with the Rainforest Alliance to be sure that the wood in its guitars is sustainably sourced. Now that’s a sweet note.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA -- The Indonesian government reportedly has stepped up its efforts to combat illegal logging.

HANOI -- Vietnamese timber suppliers recently attended a workshop to learn more about new rules tied to the amended Lacey Act.

NASHVILLE, TN -- A civil lawsuit has been filed against Gibson Guitar seeking federal government possession of more than $76,000 worth of Madagascar ebony wood seized in a November 2009 raid.