The Logging Town of Darrington, Washington: A Case Study in Re-engagement with Federal Forests
Darrington, Washington, nestled in the foothills of the North Cascade Mountains, has a history as a logging town that stretches back for more than a century. The town’s economy had been almost exclusively geared towards timber for decades, but in recent times, this traditional model has been challenged and the town has had to explore new avenues for sustainable resource-extraction.
The decline of the timber industry during the 2000s had a major impact on the town, and in particular led to a rise in unemployment, with many of the population forced to look for work outside Darrington. Fortunately, though, the town’s fortunes have found a surprising second life in its relationship with the federal forests that surround it.
The timber industry had done significant damage to the surrounding forests, but the town’s newfound relationship with the federal government has opened up the possibility of addressing these issues head-on. The town’s citizens have embraced this newfound opportunity and have been actively pursuing innovative solutions to restore the forests and to also engage in sustainability forestry.
The town’s approach to sustainable job creation has been impressive. As a part of the project, the town has partnered with Earth 15, a private engineering firm, to support the development of a sustainable timber harvesting model. This model has been developed with an initial investment of $100,000 by the federal government and involves replanting of 8-foot tall Douglas fir trees and careful harvesting that does not detrimentally impact the environment.
This new model is generating some surprising results. Not only is it restoring the local forest, but it is also providing jobs to local citizens. Each year, Earth 15 hires around sixty workers, and many of them are from Darrington. This also helps attract other job opportunities to the town, and this is further contributing to Darrington’s revitalization.
The town has also engaged in other initiatives to promote sustainable development and job creation. To date, Darrington has planted more than 3,500 seedlings and has established a Conservation Corps program that teaches local citizens about sustainable agriculture and forestry, as well as job skills. The town also recently passed a heavily-backed renewable energy ordinance that requires certain businesses to source at least 25% of their electricity from renewable energy sources.
Lastly, local citizens have worked hard to establish a direct dialogue with the federal government. The town has been able to demonstrate that their approach to sustainable forestry and job creation is beneficial to the local economy, and as a result, the federal government has granted Darrington the unprecedented right to manage portions of the federal forests themselves.
It is clear that the town of Darrington, Washington is showing the world that traditional models of resource extraction are no longer the only route to local economic success. Through the town’s re-engagement with the federal forests, it has been able to develop an innovative model that protects the forests, creates jobs, and encourages renewable energy — all at the same time. This Darrington case study is proof that local communities can work together to come up with creative and sum-positive solutions to complex global issues.
