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| Permission via Creative Commons - Photo by Tuchodi |
Perhaps you have heard of a locavore—a person dedicated to
eating local foods whenever possible. So
what in the world is a locabore? It’s a
person who makes a commitment to using local beetle kill wood for a wide
variety of construction projects. The
“loca” is for local and the “bore” is for the beetle activity that leads to a
tree’s untimely death. It’s a growing
problem in my state (Colorado) and beyond.
I have been reading about green remodeling practices. One of the important things we can do when
building or remodeling is to use reclaimed wood. When lumber is harvested nearby, the
ecological impact is reduced significantly.
There is no need to transport the wood cross-country (which eliminates a
much larger carbon footprint).
Because dead trees are already dry and seasoned, there is no
need to burn fossil fuels for the kilns that would normally be required to
lower the moisture content of freshly cut living trees. And, by using dead trees, we can lower the
dependence on harvesting trees that are better left in the forest doing
their best to keep our environment healthy.
This weekend, as I was purchasing supplies for a couple of
ongoing home renovation projects, I found beetle kill pine boards on
sale. That made my choice very
easy. When I build with local woods, the
advantages go well beyond financial and ecological gain. Things that grow here look good in my
home. They are a natural fit. You would expect to see native woods like
aspen, pine, and fir inside a house that is surrounded by those kinds of
forests. There is a harmony that is both
seen and felt.
Even if you live in an urban area, there are always sources
of reclaimed timber and other architectural elements. A source to consider is your local
Habitat for Humanity Restore. They stock
recycled construction materials. Always
think “re” first as you aim for greener living and building (reclaimed,
recycled, repurposed).
Let's learn how to be good to the place we call home. We only get one chance at this. Unless we want to be dead standing, it's "Do or Di" time.
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