Download - Cascade Land Conservancy

the business ofCOMMUNITY AND CONSERVATIONBy Josh Cohen, Media Associate12Broad partnerships have always played a central rolein the way Forterra conducts its work. When we saythat we encourage collaboration across all sectors it isnot simply lip service to partnerships. Our critical missionis accomplished by working with fellow nonprofits,grassroots advocates, tribes, government agencies,elected officials and businesses large and small. 2012presented two new and particularly exciting opportunitiesto work with businesses and corporations interested inleading their peers in an effort to conserve great landsand create great communities. The Duwamish ShorelineChallenge and the Carbon Capturing Companies (C3)program demonstrate the way Washington businessesare not only recognizing the importance of our region’senvironmental and economic health but taking aninitiative to protect them. Forterra is excited to have theopportunity to play a leading role.Duwamish Shoreline Restoration ChallengeLaunched in September, the Duwamish ShorelineRestoration Challenge is a unique, business-led effort torestore the Duwamish River in Tukwila. BECU is workingwith Forterra and the City of Tukwila to encourage thebusiness community to support the restoration of theDuwamish with volunteer work and financial backing.The Challenge was inspired by BECU employees who’dfound deep satisfaction giving back to their communitythrough volunteer restoration work along the Duwamish.BECU recognized the significance of their employees’enthusiasm for restoration work. They approachedForterra and the City to build upon that foundationof community stewardship and get the Challenge offthe ground.When all is said and done, the Challenge will restore150,000 square feet of riverbank along 1.5 miles of theDuwamish River. Much of the Duwamish River’s shorelineis overgrown with invasive plants such as Himalayanblackberry that have choked out native vegetation. Theseinvasive species are destroying vital habitat for salmonand other native wildlife and make it more difficult forTukwila’s workers and residents to enjoy the river. Thework accomplished through the Challenge will help makethe Duwamish that much more valuable for wildlife andthe Tukwila community alike.BECU committed $10,000 to the Challenge and isproviding staff time to assist other businesses withhands-on restoration projects. Drawing on our yearsof expertise, Forterra is designing and guiding theshoreline restoration. The City of Tukwila is providingFORTERRA.ORGRepresentatives from the C 3Founding partners on stage at the Conservation Awards Breakfast. Photo by Laura Marchbanks