We have our upcoming Darrington Strong meeting this Wednesday, January 18th, 7pm at the Cascade Senior Center.  We've had an amazing 2016 and now its time to make 2017 even better!  I think we need to take some time and reflect on some of our 2016 accomplishments, pat each other on the back and get geared up for an even greater year!

Our speaker for our next meeting will be Amy Lucas with Snohomish County Parks & Recreation.  The topic will be looking into the feasibility of restoring tracts of public land as active timberlands and engaging in variable stand thinning. Two nearby locations considered for this is the Whitehorse Community Park on North Mountain & the Fortson Trailhead on the Whitehorse Trail. The goals for this project is to restore forest & understory health, address the needs of fish & wildlife habitat, trail enhancements & generate needed revenues. So why would you be interested in this topic? This could open up possibilities for improvements to these park lands and their potential trail systems. Not only can these improvements benefit our quality of life but generate more visitors to the area which generates local revenues. Please come to the meeting to learn more and be sure to ask your questions so TOGETHER we can all learn more!

Meet your fellow Darrington Businesses and learn more how all can come together and build a more thriving Darrington!  January 24th, Tuesday, 6pm at the Mountain Loop Books & Coffee on Darrington Street.

As the snow covers Darrington's parks and gardens it is of comfort knowing that all of the purchased trees were planted before winter weathers hit.  We owe it all to a dedicated people that pursued this project and the volunteers that got them in the ground.  For 2017 we will need to look at more fund raising to continue these projects.

Ted Jackson, who pursued the Washington State House Bill 1632 will be our speaker. Learn more about how this Bill is changing where ATV can ride on roads and be legal, looking at the future goals of WATV access, possible development of motorized trails.

Some background:  In July 2013, Washington enacted a law requiring license plates on All Terrain Vehicles, House Bill 1632 (HB1632). The bill creates a new class of recreational vehicle (a wheeled all-terrain vehicle, or WATV) and provides motorized access to public lands while promoting responsible riding practices.

Suggested plants for Archery Sculpture is Black-eyed Susan & Liatris as pictured

Friday, March 19th we will be having a work-party for the Suiattle River Road, FSR #26.  This road needs some real TLC since the last storms with trees down, branches and other debris in ditches.  We will be joined with WSU student volunteers as part of their Week Of Service For The Stillaguamish Valley Recovery.  Work-party starts 8:30am, meeting at the Darrington Ranger Station, sign in, safety talk and then head out to the road.  See what is required for FFPU Work-parties.

Planting more flower bulbs at Dot's City Park