Video of the 70 metric ton capacity fishing vessel, constructed by the Sierra Leone Timber Federation

The Sierra Leone Timber Federation is actively collaborating with the National Ebola Response Center (NERC) to kick Ebola out of Sierra Leone. On a nationwide tour, trained staff of the Federation did active Ebola community sensitization in most affected areas across the county.

Another important function of the Federation, is the in-country value addition. Here we see semi-processed Cam-wood (Paduk) logs ready for export. In collaboration with international and national industry stakeholders, a key-goal of the Federation is the value addition of forest products coming from Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone timber has excellent quality. Currently more then 8.000 containers of high quality timber backlogs are stored in depots around the country, waiting for Government Export Permission. The federation is currently rebranding the timber industry, towards a sustainable and environmental conscious future. The main goal of the newly formed Sierra Leone Timber Federation, is to establish a nation wide timber rehabilitation and replanting programme to establish 30.000 hectares of new timber plantations, focussing on endangered species listed on the IUCN list. In addition to the large scale planting program, the Federation will also focus on carbon credit schemes under the United Nations Framework on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and become an accredited body under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

Fishing boat constructed by the Sierra Leone Timber Federation. The capacity is 70 metric tons. All construction wood is from Sierra Leone origin, mainly Pterocarpus variety. The Pterocarpus erinaceus is an excellent wood for ship and boat construction, due to its water resistant abilities. The fishing vessel can be visited at Goderich Beach in Freetown.

The Sierra Leone Timber Federation, is a business association focussing on sustainable timber production and re- and afforestation in Sierra Leone. The association has a strong gender component and focus especially on vulnerable groups like women and youths. The key development goals of the Federation are to create a sustainable timber production and harvesting system, that mainly focusses on food security in rural areas. For more information please contact: sierraleonetimberfederation@yahoo.com

Sierra Leone Timber Federation

The Sierra Leone Timber Federation. Integrity and sustainability in the wood industry.