COLVILLE, Wash.—Kurtis Vaagen of Vaagen Bros Lumber leads a decade-long project to restore 50,000 acres of the Colville National Forest, aiming to create fire-resilient forests for future generations while emphasizing community and environmental stewardship.
According to the Washington Forest Protection Association, Washington’s forests account for over 21 million acres of the state, and nearly 25% of that land is National Forest. Over the last three decades, state and federal policy changes have restricted timber harvests on both state and federal forestlands, compelling the forest products industry to adopt more efficient and sustainable timber harvesting practices.
One lumber company based in Colville, Vaagen Bros Lumber, bid on a contract to restore the Colville National Forest over a decade ago. Emphasizing sustainability and the creation of future forests, Kurtis Vaagen, Vice President of Vaagen Bros Lumber, stated that their goal is to restore the forest to be fire-resilient for future generations.
“We want to ensure it can withstand uncharacteristic wildfires,” said Vaagen.
Born and raised in Colville, Vaagen mentioned that the timber business runs in his blood, with his grandfather founding Vaagen Bros Lumber in the early 1950s.
“I knew my tree species by the time I was 10,” Vaagen recalled.
The A to Z Contract in the Colville National Forest holds personal significance for him. The project, completed over a decade, covers 50,000 acres, including 20,000 acres designated for commercial harvest. Vaagen explained their clear objective: “To ensure the forest can withstand natural disturbances and create a forest that has a positive impact for people to enjoy.”
Vaagen stressed that forest restoration, including thinning operations, is crucial for maintaining healthy forests in the Inland Northwest, aiming to mitigate the rapid spread of wildfires. “What we’re witnessing now are these mega-fires that don’t subside, burning through canopy across hundreds of thousands of acres.”
Reflecting on the past decade, Vaagen highlighted collaborations with forest professionals, recreation enthusiasts, and environmental groups to envision “the old growth of the future.”
Throughout Vaagen Bros Lumber’s nearly 75 years in business, the lumber industry has evolved. “The land requires more restoration work, and it’s important to dispel the misconception that we’re engaged in clear-cutting,” Vaagen clarified.
However, he acknowledged the historical mismanagement of forests, stating, “Many of these forests were previously managed poorly around the turn of the century.”
Yet, Vaagen pointed to visible progress on the forest floor as evidence of their positive impact. “The resurgence of historical elements within the ecosystem is a success story in itself.”
The Colville National Forest restoration project takes a holistic approach, requiring the construction of aquatic organism passages to support native wildlife in their natural habitat. Vaagen acknowledged that meeting environmental standards can be costly, sometimes reaching up to $2 million.
“When you’re committed to the forest’s health, that’s what you’re willing to invest,” Vaagen affirmed.
Regarding profitability, Vaagen noted that bidding on projects doesn’t always guarantee financial gains. “While striving for profitability is our goal, it’s not always feasible,” he explained.
Vaagen underscored their commitment to sustainability from forest to mill. “We utilize every segment of the log to produce a variety of products, distributed across North America, with some sold locally.”
Meanwhile, Russ Vaagen, Kurtis’s brother, established Vaagen Timbers in Colville, focusing on creating natural products to compete against energy-intensive alternatives.
“Our approach is holistic, from the forest to the final product,” Russ Vaagen emphasized.
Kurtis Vaagen highlighted the environmental benefits of using timber in construction. “By using mass timber from forest restoration materials, we’re reducing air pollution and contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment.”
He described the timber conversion process, taking three to four days, and stressed sustainability as a cornerstone of their operations.
“Our operations are streamlined, ensuring precise delivery and assembly like building blocks,” Vaagen described.
Their timber products are used globally, including a significant project at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada.
For Kurtis Vaagen, being rooted in the Colville community imbues their work with deeper meaning than mere profit.
“It’s crucial because we grew up here, live here, and recreate here—everything I know stems from this landscape.”
