Over the past decades, there has been too much conflict in Douglas County between environmental and economic interests. Conflict drives people apart. It stops growth and creates stagnancy.

On both sides, there is a deep compassion for this place and its people.

On both sides, there is a lack of trust for the other side.

On both sides, there is fear, love, jealousy, distrust, cynicism and anger.

Both sides seek to preserve what they fear losing forever. In the trenches of conflict, it is easy to lose perspective on the bigger picture.

Beyond the debate around timber, we have larger problems.

Poverty, hunger, drug abuse, employment, poor health and despair threaten us all. These are deeply embedded social problems faced by too many people across the globe. However, we can work together to build solutions and resolve conflicts.

So how can we work together to solve real problems in a way that creates local jobs?

There is an appropriate metaphor-turned-policy in many states that became state policy in Oregon last year: Economic gardening.

Economic gardening is the practice of treating the community as a garden, nurturing the tiny projects that start off as the seed of an idea and grow over many years into organizations that produce dozens of jobs, like a tree produces fruit.

There are many people across the political spectrum who are actively engaged in building solutions here. There are tremendous reasons for hope. There are magnificent successes happening today.

For the past few months, I have been honored to work for the Umpqua Indian Development Corp. on the upcoming launch of Douglas County's new business incubator.

Anyone can be helped by the incubator. Like any nonprofit entity, it exists to benefit the community.

Rene Toman was recently named as the interim director for the business incubator. She is a very competent woman and a tremendous resource for this community. Get excited and get involved.

I'm excited to see what Douglas County can do with this new piece of infrastructure. Incubators around the globe have proven to be fantastic long-term job-creation engines.

We must all work to create jobs and healthy development.

We must increase our support for community-focused organizations, entrepreneurs, farmers, artists, musicians, restaurateurs, vintners, librarians, and our other culture-builders. These are the ones who help to turn our greatest problems into opportunities for growth.

As an example, in rich agricultural areas like Douglas County, the rising cost of food also presents economic opportunity. The world will need the food we can grow.

Food brings people together for a purpose. That action creates a sense of community.

When we grow and share food together, we reduce conflict among us.

Like a garden, job creation is a slow and careful process. Without sunshine or water, crops will wither and die. Too much produces the same effect. Economic policy is a balancing act.

While demand for timber recovers, perhaps we can focus some energy on other crops. There is much to be done to nurture local business and develop additional sectors with high job growth potential.

We can chose to see our problems as opportunities. Global solutions can be born here.

Don't believe the cynics who tell you that nothing can be done — believe the leader within you who knows that a great future can be built for Douglas County.

I encourage us all to continue — and even increase, as we are able — our support for each other.

Reach out to those in despair. Help the cynical to find hope. Develop our leadership skills, for the good of ourselves, our families, and our communities. Leadership will be needed from each of us in times to come.

Make connections with the efforts going on in the community, and find out ways to help.

Write a letter. Create a campaign. Start a business. Take a class. Read to kids. Make a donation. Throw a party. Feed your neighbors. Bring people together to share ideas and discuss solutions. Recruit volunteers to your cause. Tell your stories of hope. Encourage others to do the same.

Most importantly, increase your involvement in public policy, and get others involved. Advocate for your beliefs while you work to understand the ideas of those with different views. Learn from each other — as a community, we share many of the same goals.

Conflict is a natural byproduct of human relationships. We can find common ground and work toward solutions.

We all want to create jobs, to provide for our families, and to enjoy our lives.

Call your local and regional political representatives and encourage them to help stop the conflict and to support local economic gardening.

Aaron McManus is a local consultant and can be reached through his website at mc111.com or at 541-375-0543.