Washington’s 2 million acres of state-owned forests face unprecedented challenges: more frequent and intense forest fires, drought, a growing population, and the need for more and improved fish and wildlife habitat to compensate for poor historic logging practices and a warming planet.

Despite these pressing concerns, The Seattle Times called for our next commissioner of public lands to maintain the status quo on our state forests.

We have a different view. We think our state forests are hobbled by an outdated business model and by short-term timber industry interests, and are missing out on opportunities to be more profitable and sustainable for all citizens. Washington’s next commissioner can and should make sensible reforms.