Incredibly, Costa Rica had one of the greatest deforestation rates in Latin America in the 1980s. Domingo Sanchez Almengor, a master woodworker, is one of the locals who has contributed to the improvement of that statistic. He protects the disappearing craft of gathering and preparing wood for handcrafted furniture at a sawmill in Parrita. And he insists on replanting every tree that is chopped down. "I studied reforestation and have dedicated my life to growing and responsibly harvesting wood," he says.

Domingo also makes certain that shipping laws are quite rigorous. "If they say 2 millimeters, I make sure the cut is exactly 2 millimeters," he says. Recently closure of mills has been discussed. "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."