Eco-Friendly Carpentry is for the Birds

As the Carpentry branch of Indigenous Ingenuities, sustainability has always been best practice. The careful selection of locally sourced and milled natural materials, the choice to use food safe, biodegradable, natural finishes without accelerants as well as careful materials calculation are some of our tenets. These choices impact our carbon footprint, decrease waste and support our local economy, while creating safe spaces for families, pets and wildlife.

So why is eco-friendly carpentry for the birds?  One of the many ways our Carpenters choose to recycle leftover materials is through building birdhouses. This idea existed in our wood shop long before we started constructing them earlier this year.  The process of materials selection for the nesting boxes asks 2 questions: is it a natural material and is it a drop (or remnant) from a cut large enough to be used?  Off cuts of Knotty Cedar, White Oak, Ipe, Meranti Mahogany, Douglas Fir, Pine, Ash and other tree species can be seen in the beautifully crafted, patchwork appearance of each Indigenous Ingenuities birdhouse.  

With the treasure trove of materials we have been saving and recycling for years, and in true Indigenous Ingenuities fashion, it was important to select birdhouse designs that support our local, native wildlife. The Audubon Society of Pennsylvania was a great resource for avian information from which the schematics for Bluebird, Screech-Owl and Wood Duck nesting boxes were available. From here we were able to access precise cut dimensions as well as the very specific box mounting information needed to successfully attract the desired bird. Timeless and evidence based design supports each build. 

All Bluebird, Screech-Owl or Wood Duck nesting boxes are built using stainless steel fasteners to prevent staining or rust from forming and were finished using all natural, accelerant free, biodegradable, food safe, green finishes to enhance the natural beauty of the wood and protect it from decay. These oil finishes are easy to reapply making continued care of each birdhouse a breeze. 

On rainy days when it’s a bit too damp for carpenters to be out building decks, pergolas, garden boxes, compost bins, and natural playgrounds the shop is alive with craft as materials are recycled into beautiful nesting boxes for our feathered friends.  Creating beautiful spaces through habitat restoration is our goal, enabling each space to be enjoyed not just by humans but all living things.

Dillon Fretz is the Carpentry branch Manager at Indigenous Ingenuities who believes that “together we can make a lasting and positive impact on our private spaces, public spaces, and the environment.”