Most people know balsa wood as the super light-weight wood used for making...

October 10, 2016

Most people know balsa wood as the super light-weight wood used for making little glider airplanes. Several of our artisan partners use it for making turtle, armadillo and other Amazon animal ornaments. While we normally only buy crafts from non-timber products, balsa grows so easily and so fast that there's no danger about over-exploiting it. Camino Verde has a bunch of balsa wood trees growing at its farm on the Tambopata River. Its fruit is a tall spike that's full of fluff when mature. This fluff may have some commercial use, but it's fun to play with.




Leave a comment

Comments will be approved before showing up.


Also in News

Bora artisans start a chambira palm nursery at Brillo Nuevo
Bora artisans start a chambira palm nursery at Brillo Nuevo

July 11, 2023

Continue Reading

Elle's grandmother and the yellow butterfly ornament
Elle's grandmother and the yellow butterfly ornament

July 11, 2023

When Elle came into our booth, she immediately spotted our yellow Papilio butterfly ornament. I asked her about her attraction to this craft and learned an emotional backstory which she generously consented to let me share.

Continue Reading

Campbell Plowden trip report to Peru - February and March, 2023
Campbell Plowden trip report to Peru - February and March, 2023

April 23, 2023

 I felt joy and some pride that I played a role in allowing the Alternatives to Violence Project to work its magic for energizing our internal light that attracts people to each other.

Continue Reading