Mark Cobb
Mark Cobb
A MATURE JUNIPER TREE can consume 40 gallons of water a day. In the Klamath Basin, where farmers, environmentalists and tribes are scraping for every last drop of water, the exploding growth of juniper (from 2 million acres in the 1800’s to 10 million acres today) is creating even greater demand on the already limited water supply. Agencies, nonprofits and watershed councils have spent years developing strategies to reduce juniper populations and thereby increase water supply for fish and farms.
Pulled juniper trees are commonly burned, but Mark Cobb realized the potential of this resource. As an experienced woodworker, Mark knew that juniper had durability and aesthetics to become a high value product. After working with the local Reach Mill, which is known for employing more than 65 disabled people, Mark created a process where the juniper would be properly kiln dried. Now, Mark uses this wood to build furniture and lumber products that he retails, wholesales and distributes throughout the world. Mark’s business has grown to more than $350,000 in annual sales (with 90 percent of business conducted online) while providing 4 full-time jobs.
Mark expects his sales to triple by 2009 thanks to partnerships with groups like the Klamath Tribes and Sustainable Northwest. Sustainable Northwest has helped Mark build the necessary relationships and develop market networks to increase the sale of his products in the urban market place.
To learn more about West Coast Juniper Distributing, go to: westcoastjuniper.com.
To learn more about Sustainable Northwest, go to: sustainablenorthwest.org.
More information also available on our Partners page, click the link below.
