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Chopsticks for Salamanders

Chopsticks For Salamanders is a conservation initiative started in 2011 that promotes forest stewardship and salamander conservation. The goals of this program are:

  • To disseminate information about the production of disposable chopsticks

  • To increase awareness about salamander diversity in the United States

  • To raise money for salamander conservation, education and research

 

Why Reuse Chopsticks?

  • 3.8 million trees are felled each year to supply timber for the disposable chopsticks industry

  • Deforestation for the production of disposable chopsticks is an international problem and comes with the loss of critical animal habitat

  • Disposable chopsticks cost approximately two cents a pair for restaurants and reusable chopsticks cost around $1.17 a pair. However, reusable chopsticks have a life span of about 130 meals, making them cheaper in comparison.

  • In 2006, to combat massive deforestation in China, the “Bring Your own Chopsticks (BYOC)” movement was developed, helping raise public awareness and eventually galvanizing legislative action.

  • Disposable chopsticks are an unnecessary commodity that, much like plastic bags, have an environmental friendly counterpart.

Northern Red Salamander (Pseudotriton ruber ruber) by Matt Neff

Why Save Salamanders?

  • Salamanders are the most abundant vertebrate in many forest floor ecosystems and consume vast amounts of insects and other invertebrates

  • Salamanders are indicators of environmental health and help scientists better mitigate threats facing ecosystems

  • The Appalachian Mountains range from Canada to Alabama and are home to the highest diversity of salamanders in the world.

  • Appalachia is currently threated by mountain top removal mining, encroaching development, pollution, and intensive logging.

Seal Salamander (Desmognathus monticola) by Matt Neff

How Can YOU Help?

Yonahlossee Salamander (Plethodon yonahlossee) by Matt Neff

If your organization is interested in a bulk purchase of reusable chopsticks, please contact us at info@fcsal.org.​

This project is supported by these founding AAZK chapters:
This project is also supported by these contributing organizations:
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