In 1996 Rainforest Relief targeted this bookselling giant for their ongoing use of mahogany and other tropical hardwoods in store construction. At the time, B&N was building approximately 100 stores per year using mahogany for foyers, doors & railings, jatoba for flooring and Shorea sp. for furniture. We chose to target B&N as part of an International Day of Mahogany Action called by Rainforest Action Network. Within a week of our letter and the announcement of our impending demonstration at their flagship store in New York City, after a round of quick and somewhat fierce negotiations, less than twenty-four hours before the demo, B&N faxed a letter to us stating an intention to completely phase out the use of rainforest woods within nine months. It actually took them a year but B&N now uses domestic second growth for foyers, railings and flooring, and steel doors.

B&N was the only victory from the Mahogany Day of Action.

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