Entrepreneur and Logging veteran Alana Husby of Coast Eco Timber, a sustainable logging operation
I have started meeting with local entrepreneurs to listen to their experiences starting businesses in Panama and navigating the complex dealings in the country. By far the most exciting meeting I have had is with Alana Husby of Coast Eco Timber a sustainable logging operation that is currently harvesting lumber from Lake Gatun (about the size of Montreal) which was flooded in 1913 when Teddy Roosevelt dammed the Chagres River to create what is now called the Panama Canal(Coast Eco Timber). Alana is a 5th generation logger who worked her way up through the ranks by starting at the bottom and doing every job required in the family’s Canadian logging operation. Anyone who has seen the logging shows on television knows how difficult and dangerous this industry is. Coast Eco Timber follows the strictest guidelines for lumber harvesting and works with the local Kuna people to support the local economy. One of the most interesting things about Coast Eco Timber is how they have created their own machinery to harvest the underwater wood, they have used old fuel tanks to create rafts and use vegetable oil chainsaws (80 feet underwater) as to not pollute the environment. The quality and price of the wood is amazing and I will be working with some other Kalu Yala interns to create business models to benefit the Kalu Yala development and brand.
I have started doing more research into my project by reading “The Rainforest: The Secret to Bulding the Next Silicon Valley” by Victor W. Hwang and Greg Horowitt and also “Local Dollars, Local Sense” by Michael Shuman. These books have provided great insight into creating sustainable development plans for the future where the local ecosystem will dominate and reduce risk. Michael Shuman is a good friend of Kalu Yala CEO Jimmy Stice and may be able to provide insight on my project which is a very exciting prospect. My project has evolved into creating a model for a community investment bank which will lead to the development of a business incubator which combines the rainforest, lean startup, and local co-op methodologies while utilizing new crowdfunding/crowdsourcing concepts. It is a very exciting time to be in Panama City and be talking with entrepreneurs that are taking huge risks, many of which are experiencing great success.
Until next time…
Brian Clair
All Coast Eco Timber information is from interviews or www.coastecotimber.com
I am sure Alana would be glad to share any knowledge about her experiences – Coast Eco Timber is doing so many great things I was hoping to direct people to the website where they could discover the numerous certifications, projects, and social programs they are involved in.
Hello Brian, I am glad to see your trip is successful thus far! Coast Eco Timber seems like a great operation, after seeing un-monitored widespread destruction Guanacaste, Costa Rica forests and the water quality and flooding issues it causes, I realize the importance of utilizing otherwise “lost” trees while also improving benefit to local people. You forgot to mention the Rainforest Alliance Certification, that Coast Eco achieved for rediscovered wood. I had encouraged my internship supervisor to look into other Rainforest Alliance certifications for their tourist operation and ranch. I wonder if Alana has any comments about the process and what worth she has found for the certification. Hope to hear more about your experience soon!