IPCI actions - 2001 - 2022

IPCI's mission is to :

1. preserve the genetic diversity of paubrasilia echinata ,
2. conserve and restore the species, and
3. establish a framework for its future sustainable use. All program expenses are funded by group members, the vast majority of whom are bowmen. IPCI has developed its fundraising capacity to support its long-term commitment to conservation.
   

Initially, IPCI sought Brazilian governmental and scientific partnerships in Brazil. IPCI established partnerships with FUNPAB to dig wells for seedlings and with CEPLAC to set up the Pau-Brasil Program (PPB). During this period and since, IPCI has worked with IBAMA and state government officials to understand and ensure compliance with Forest Code regulations and other applicable laws. Its main partners are CEPLAC, Instituto Floresta Viva (IFV), Associação Plantas do Nordeste (APNE) and several universities and scientific institutions (see Appendix 2 for a full list), as well as small cocoa-growing companies.

After two years of careful planning, IPCI created its 5-year PPB program, followed by projects with other partners (including IFV and APNE). IPCI's comprehensive approach to sustainability has included scientific research, local community involvement, educational awareness-raising and planting, and has produced encouraging results (see Appendix 3 for a detailed list of actions). In summary, a total of 340,800 seedlings have been planted (split 50/50 between commercial and conservation/civico-cultural) and financial expenditure to date ($423,572) includes project expenditure in Brazil ($348,681) as well as international awareness-raising and fundraising ($74,891) .

SUMMARY OF ACTIONS

Planting projects - 340,800 seedlings planted in total

230,800 seedlings planted for agriculture/sustainable use
110,000 seedlings planted in conservation/civico-cultural areas

FOR MORE FIGURES, SEE THE DOWNLOAD LINK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE

While IPCI's field projects were heavily impacted by the Covid pandemic, IPCI's project work continued, mainly in the form of research. IPCI is strongly committed to continuing and expanding its work for the conservation of pernambuco.

IPCI does not engage in any trade.

It is a conservation organization interested in the growth and regrowth of Pernambuco in the wild, in civic areas and on small cocoa farms, where they provide shade for plants and may one day provide a source of income for farmers in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Although IPCI is indirectly aware of replanting efforts undertaken by Brazilian bow manufacturers, it has only worked independently and in direct partnership with Brazilian agricultural, scientific, environmental and governmental institutions and organizations.

IPCI engaged in conversations about public policy in Brazil with representatives of IBAMA, CEPLAC and state environmental authorities, with the aim of understanding and complying at all times with Brazil's legal framework. These discussions focused on a number of areas, including changes to Brazil's forestry code, the development of a national strategy for pernambuco by IBAMA, and the creation of a legal route for harvesting pernambuco grown on cocoa farms for income and possible use in the manufacture of bows for professional and established stringed instrument musicians.

IPCI fully supports efforts to put an end to the illegal trade in pernambuco, which is damaging both the species and the bow-making trade. In 2007, IPCI members pledged to purchase only legally sourced wood, to encourage the development of inventories of pernambuco populations, to develop and implement a conservation plan, and to educate the trade on the urgent need to conserve pernambuco and comply with applicable laws. They did so in recognition of the fact that conservation of the species is of the utmost importance to the future of Brazilian forests and stringed instrument music.

As most IPCI members are also bow makers, IPCI is aware of the bow trade, although the organization neither facilitates nor participates in the trade. IPCI supports Brazil's efforts to ensure that the export of raw wood and bow blanks takes place in full compliance with applicable legislation. IPCI also supports Brazil's national export permit requirement for pernambuco products and the enforcement efforts that will ensure compliance. IPCI believes that additional measures would be appropriate for trade, including the implementation of traceability, labeling or stamping and certification systems. It is also important that international sales using fake "IBAMA papers", whether online or in person, are stopped. Such measures would help international bow buyers to verify that the products they are buying are legal, sustainable and protect pernambuco and music. These measures, combined with an improved multi-stakeholder scientific and replanting program, can pave the way for the species' conservation without harming stringed instrument music worldwide.

IPCI has joined forces with theInternational Alliance of Violin and Bow Makers for Endangered Speciesknown as the Alliance. Violin and bow makers created the Alliance in 2018 to advance understanding and awareness of the need to conserve all species used in violin and bow making, and to invest in conservation projects, such as IPCI's work. Understanding that much more work is needed, IPCI has worked closely with the Alliance to prepare a "Pernambuco Conservation Strategy", which can be found in Appendix 4. The strategy sets out IPCI's and the trade's commitment to building on and extending IPCI's work, so that pernambuco can return to health and sustainability.

The conservation of pernambuco is of crucial importance to our trade and to string instrument music. For experienced musicians and professionals, there is simply no substitute for the playing ability and tone creation made possible by pernambuco. Like the instruments, each bow is unique in its qualities and is itself a work of art and historical culture. It's no exaggeration to say that the future of stringed instrument music as we know it depends on both the conservation of the species and a balanced approach to trade regulation.

IPCI and the Alliance are ready to make significant contributions to the planning, funding and implementation of future research and reforestation efforts in Brazil. Our goal is to partner with Brazilian authorities, scientists, environmentalists and small farmers to coordinate a large-scale effort to conserve pernambuco and music for future generations.

IPCI FRANCE EUROPE ASSOCIATION - 3 rue Truffaut 75017 Paris - Association number: W751269309