It’s hard to believe that in the 1980s, Costa Rica had one of the highest deforestation rates in Latin America. Master wood craftsman Domingo Sanchez Almengor is one of the locals who have helped turn that number around. At a sawmill in Parrita, he preserves the dying art of harvesting and processing wood for handcrafted furnishings. And he is adamant that every tree cut is replaced. “I studied reforestation and have dedicated my life to growing and responsibly harvesting wood,” he says.
Domingo also ensures shipment regulations are incredibly strict. “If they say 2 millimeters, I make sure the cut is exactly 2 millimeters,” he says. Recently there was talk of the mill closing. “I volunteered to take over management,” he says. “There are certainly challenges but when you love what you do, each challenge you encounter moves you forward.”
Share