Becka Hannigan sits down with Celso de Mello, co-founder of Arcos Brasil, to discuss the changing world of bow making, exotic wood conservation, and the increasingly complex realities of working with Pernambuco and alternative bow woods in Brazil.

Celso shares his firsthand perspective from decades in the industry, beginning in the mid-1990s when regulations surrounding Pernambuco were less restrictive, through the major CITES changes of 2007, and into the modern era of strict tracking, auditing, and environmental oversight. He explains how the Brazilian government monitors and documents wood through extensive databases and chain-of-custody systems, creating a highly regulated environment for makers and exporters.

The conversation explores Arcos Brasil’s long history in the bow trade, the company’s involvement in conservation and replanting efforts, and the broader challenge of preserving both endangered species and the centuries-old tradition of bow making. Celso also discusses the company’s transition in recent years toward producing bows from Ipe and other alternative woods as the industry adapts to evolving regulations and environmental realities.

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Special Guest: Celso de Mello.