About Forest Collaboratives
Collaboration on public land management came into practice in the late 90’s when the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) was adopted. The goal of the NWFP was to create a common ground for conservation and timber groups to come together and manage public land responsibly.
Where it all started…
The Darrington Collaborative, launched on July 10, 2015, is a partnership between diverse interests such as major conservation organizations, local STEM education programs, the local timber industry, and the community of Darrington, with the goal of increasing ecologically sustainable timber harvests in the Darrington region, creating jobs, and improving and restoring the health of forests and watersheds.
The partnership grew out of the tragic Oso slide on March 22, 2014, which killed 43 people, destroyed homes, damaged public infrastructure including a main highway, and blocked the Stillaguamish River, causing significant environmental and economic damage. Conservation and recreation organizations worked with local community leaders to promote the incredible outdoor recreation opportunities near the scenic town of Darrington and to support the establishment of local STEM education efforts that have evolved into the Glacier Peak Institute.
“The Darrington Collaborative has been a unique and rewarding experience for the community of Darrington to build trust with industry, environmentalists and local leaders to provide economic benefits to our community through sustainable logging, forest restoration and STEM education.”
Dan Rankin, owner of Dan Rankin Milling and lifelong Darrington resident
