Waterstone Resource Fiber

Forest projects

Waterstone Resource Fiber supports both large and small afforestation and reforestation programs, often involving local community groups and farmer cooperatives, in East Africa. This creates jobs, prevents soil erosion, helps slow climate change, and protects watersheds and standing natural forest.

Why bamboo in Africa?

Bamboo is a grass, and as such is a rapidly renewable natural resource. It matures fast, and can be harvested every year, with no replanting, for as long as it lives (30 – 80 years, depending on species and conditions). Bamboo offers a higher net energy output pr acre than any tree species, and can under good conditions produce up to 5 times more biomass than eucalyptus per acre. There are about 1500 different species of bamboo, with a wide range of characteristics and potential uses. Various bamboo specieis grow well under various conditions, both in rich, moist soil conditions, on arid and semi-arid land, and in tropical highlands.

A bamboo industry

Bamboo that is grown and produced under environmentally sound and socially acceptable  conditions can help improve livelihoods, create jobs, and improve living conditions in rural Africa. It is optimally suited for supporting a renewable, biomass-based industry – as bioenergy, pulp for paper and textiles, construction, manufacturing of furniture and household products, and food, beverages, bio plastic and medicines.