Kirk Cohune

I love to work collaboratively, with my team and clients, to frame a problem, develop idea (s) for resolving it and then implementing them. I am most interested in working on projects that facilitate dramatic positive change for an organization or the community at large.

Kirk brings a background as an environmental planner and sustainability consultant with over 18 years of experience to his work with GreenWay. His work focuses on sustainable economic development, environmental planning, project management, organizational development and public process.

Kirk began his work in estuarine and riparian restoration planning and implementation, and is well-versed in working in coastal jurisdictions. He was also an early developer in sustainability planning for the forest products and construction industries, working to create value-added products from “wood waste” and underutilized species. Under the auspices of the Forest Stewardship Council, he led efforts to increase the viability of sustainable, third-party certification through forest and forest products business master planning.

Kirk has served as a consultant and environmental director for tribal governments in the Western U.S., working with tribal councils and jurisdictional agencies on numerous energy and environmental projects. Kirk has also worked to bring sustainability and green building practices into the residential and commercial real estate sector through the planning, design and construction of numerous projects. He has facilitated dozens of working groups, public meetings and design charrettes in the course of his work and is a proponent of “open door” policies that engage the community and interest groups on every project. Lastly, he has worked to assist organizations in developing capacity, managing infrastructure, facilities and natural resource enhancements in complex, multi-jurisdictional settings.

Finally, Kirk has served as a consultant and board member to numerous non-profit organizations, including the Institute for Sustainable Forestry, Humboldt Baykeeper, Forest Stewardship Council, SmartWood, Making Headway and FILM Humboldt, the Humboldt County Film and Digital Media Commission. He has also served on the Open Space and Agriculture Committee, is a member of the Arcata Forest Fund Steering Committee and is currently a board member of the Humboldt Trails Council.  Kirk completed his undergraduate degree and did graduate studies in Natural Resources, in addition to completing a California Professional Teaching Credential at Humboldt State University.

Kirk is a 30-year resident of northern California. He lives in Arcata with his wife Jenner.