Thrilling news – Frog’s Home returns to Yakama Nation

Time to celebrate! Frog’s Home – 180 acres along the Yakima River – is now permanently preserved and returned to the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation. Rich in cultural and ecological importance, this sacred site is a powerful symbol of collaboration between the Yakama Nation and Forterra. 

Together, we raised more than $2 million to make this vision a reality. The property acquisition and transfer closed this summer. Next, the Yakama Nation will restore the land to its natural beauty with plans to create an interpretive trail and cultural center.
Read the full story and see highlights on Instagram.

Conservation results – new signs of forest life

Last fall we acquired the 30-acre former Kachess Lodge property at Swamp Lake – a long-time conservation priority that enables future expansion of safe I-90 wildlife crossings. Forterra has partnered for years with state, federal and nonprofit allies to make these crossings possible.

We got to work right away with a forest-thinning project to improve forest health, boost climate resilience and open up wildlife habitat. As our Senior Director for Property Management Dan Murdoch put it: 

“Our forester Eric Koenig reads the forest like a curator reads a painting.” 

Thanks to Eric and the team, we’re already seeing early wins: healthier trees, improved light for young seedlings, and a better home for wildlife.

Something Wild is Coming!

The lands you help protect are more alive than ever. From foraging elk and stream-splashing bears at Swamp Lake to beavers, coyotes and deer at Morse Wildlife Preserve – Forterra’s trail cameras are capturing it all.

Stay tuned: Wild Cam is launching soon on our website and social media!

PNW Climate Week – our nature-based solutions

What does climate resilience look like in action? Forterra projects deliver measurable results: 
🌲 Forests absorbing carbon
💧 Wetlands filtering stormwater
🌿 Native plants restoring balance

Check out this snapshot of climate outcomes as part of PNW Climate Week.

Did you know:
We offer community restoration grants

So many things to love about our Community Restoration Grants. They restore land in cities and suburbs, promote native plant diversity, engage neighbors, and create opportunities for youth education and green jobs. And the application process? Super easy. 

Recent recipients include:

Northwest Youth Corps (Tacoma) – Supporting urban restoration, green job training and wilderness immersion for 16 teens across Puget Sound. Read more.

Environmental Science Center (Burien) – Partnering with Innovation Heights Academy students with Highline School District to restore Hilltop Park – while earning stipends for their work. Read more.

Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (Seattle) – Expanding a program at Roxhill Elementary School where students restore nearby EC Hughes Playground and create collaborative, nature-inspired art. Read more. 

Applications open again this fall.

Gratitude in action

What a summer! Thanks to our volunteers and partners, hundreds of invasive plants were pulled with new native species planted. Countless young people were inspired.

Every work party, every field trip, every team-building day in nature adds up to real change. Take a look back with this quick photo tour and another big partner shoutout. 

Feel like you’re missing out? Here’s our fall lineup of Forterra Fridays.

Fall is the perfect time to join a free Forterra Nature Discovery™ event

Summer may be winding down, but Forterra Nature Discovery™ keeps going strong. These free, small-group outings with expert guides are the perfect way to recharge in nature.

Sept. 6 Hidden Inhabitants with naturalist Gary Mozel at Hazel Wolf Wetlands Preserve (Sammamish)

Oct. 18 Fungi Fun — the Mushroom Primer with Firecraft NW’s Licia Sahagun and Ryan Johnson at Maxine G. Morse Nature Conservancy (Graham)

New ways to connect

We’re delighted by how many people reach out through Forterra’s website.  Now, it’s even easier. Check out our new Contact Us webpage. We love hearing from you.

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