Bruno - Manser - Fonds (BMF)

BMF - Municipality campaign in Switzerland

Our Campaign "Pristine-Forest-Friendly Community" has been Launched

ch – Global protection of the pristine forests demands local action as, for example, in the framework of the Local Agenda 21. Therefore the Bruno-Manser-Fonds and Greenpeace Switzerland launched the campaign "Pristine-Forest-Friendly Community". Every Swiss community was invited by letter to make an active contribution to the protection of the pristine forests and to make their building and construction industry "pristine-forest-friendly".

Every day 40,000 hectares of pristine forest are destroyed by overexploitation. And mainly where there are still extensive primeval forests as in Russia, Canada, Brazil, Indonesia and the Congo.

One of the main reasons for this destruction of the forest are our short-sighted consumer habits: Wood from primeval forests can be found in objects such as plywood boards, doors, photocopy and toilet paper, etc. This need not be so, because there are "pristine-forest friendly" alternatives.

"Pristine-forest-friendly" means: To renounce the use of timber and wood products from overexploitation. Instead, FSC certified timber and/or timber from Switzerland or neighbouring countries shall be used. Additionally, the consumption of paper will be generally reduced and recycled paper used when ever possible.
Due to the previous community campaign of the Bruno-Manser-Fonds 306 communities and six cantons had, by September 2002, already renounced wood from overexploitation. It was important to the BMF to acknowledge these earlier endeavours in protecting the pristine forests. Therefore these communities were specially urged to further protection of the forests by also supporting the use of recycled paper and by reducing their paper consumption. But even without an additional resolution concerning recycled paper these communities are still regarded as "pristine-forest-friendly".

By the beginning of December 31 new communities have signed the BMF and Greenpeace declaration.

All in all there are now 327 "pristine-forest friendly communities" (see list on page 8). In February 2003 all these communities will be presented with a beautiful plaque in acknowledgement.

Visit www.urwaldfreundlich.ch (only German) or: www.foretsanciennes.net (French).

With great dedication Markus Holenstein designed and realised the internet sites www.urwaldfreundlich.ch (in German) or www.foretsanciennes.net (in French) for Greenpeace and the Bruno-Manser-Fonds during his civilian service. At this site you can find, not only the weekly updated list of the "pristine-forest-friendly communities" but also all the important news and many leaflets.