These species, referred to as good woods , can be harvested with minimal ecological impact and their increased use will generate extra income to the farmers who grow them. For instance, a play with Wakamba carvers as actors has traveled the circuit of major cooperatives, spreading the message that there is a need to change to prevent loss of livelihoods. Tourist demand fuels the woodcarving trade. Here a shop in Kenya displays hundreds of carvings. But carvers are familiar with the hardwoods and have few incentives to make the switch.
Hardwoods cost little more than good woods.
Carving hardwoods is also more convenient, because there is no need to cure the timber first. The key is to give carvers an incentive to switch to good woods. People and Plants is using posters and a video to convey the message to prospective buyers. Certification gives consumers an ethical choice. The People and Plants Programme has embarked on a campaign to achieve FSC certification for Kenyan carvings and raise awareness among importers, exporters and tourists about this alternative.