DrumSkull Drums believes strongly in the preservation of our environment. We recognize that everything we do today has a reaction tomorrow. That said it is still much easier to ignore this fact to justify cutting a tree to make a drum. After all...the end result is an instrument that creates so much community, right? We have no doubt that West African drums can play an integral role in creating community, however here at DrumSkulls we will never forget our responsibilities to the environment!

DrumSkull Drums has been financially supporting reforestation in the surrounding areas of Bamako, Mali since 1994. Every year since we have been involving ourselves with a variety of non profit/non governmental organizations which band together and organize planting events periodically through the year. A portion of all Mali drums sold through DrumSkull Drums goes towards these efforts. Planting procedures and locations are determined by the local organizations for maximum effectiveness.

We are proud to say that for every DrumSkull Mali drum sold approximately 10 trees are planted in it's place!

Common Vision

DrumSkull Drums recognizes the same concerns in Guinea as we do in Mali. That said, we have found Guinea to be a much more challenging area to establish NPO/NGO relationships that appear to be trustworthy and effective. Due to these concerns we have decided to take a different approach in this area.

At the end of 2007, DrumSkull Drums began brainstorming with local organizer and visionary, Blair Philips. As a student of West African drumming and the founder of the organization Common Vision, Blair is no stranger to the concept of planting trees in Guinea. Through many conversations, we have found Common Vision to share our same goals and aspirations.

We anticipate this partnership between DrumSkull Drums and Common Vision to be extremely fruitful once off of the ground. DrumSkull Drums expects to exceed our Mali planting ratio of 10 trees planted to every 1 drum sold in the very near future.

For more information on Common Vision click here http://www.commonvision.org/.

These photos are from the first planting effort by Common Vision in Guinea. Despite a successful take off, these trees have not yet been successful transfered to the ground. The primary reason for this in the past has been lack of funds. DrumSkull Drums plans to bridge this gap by funding sustainable horticulture jobs for local villages.

We go to extremes to be as ecologically friendly as possible in our daily operations. DrumSkull Drums uses:

• 100% post consumed packing materials for shipping.
• 100% recycled paper in the office.
• 100% post consumed rags for applying oil to drums.
• All natural coconut oil to preserve the wood.
• All natural skins (not chemically processed)

Waste reduction is also a major concern. DrumSkull Drums makes a conscious effort to recycle everything possible at all times. Furthermore we are adamant in our efforts to eliminate waste. An example of this includes building Ashiko drums to fully utilize our wood remnants.