• Blog: A Landmark Agreement Secures the Future of Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp
• Forterra’s annual spring fundraiser
• Upcoming events: discover, explore, conserve

A Landmark Agreement for the Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp

A community-led effort and visionary philanthropy, supported by Forterra’s fiscal and real estate expertise, created the conditions for the camp’s next chapter as it approaches its centennial.

When the Wenatchee Valley YMCA made the difficult decision to sell the 25.6-acre property in 2025, alumni and supporters mobilized quickly, determined to carry forward a place that has shaped more than 50,000 young lives.

Their dedication, paired with a creative solution, helped chart a path forward. Through a legacy gift to the Wenatchee Valley YMCA which included the purchase of the camp property, a $2 million endowment, and a 99-year lease back to the YMCA, the structure was put in place for long-term continuity. The Friends of Lake Wenatchee Y Camp Board also contributed to support the lease, creating the time and stability needed to continue their work to conserve and care for the property.

Forterra was honored to play a behind-the-scenes role as fiscal sponsor, providing financial stewardship and conservation real estate expertise to support the newly formed Friends organization. This outcome reflects what’s possible when community leadership and thoughtful strategy come together so this special place can continue connecting young people to nature, leadership, and lifelong belonging.

Read the full article: A Landmark Agreement Secures the Future of Lake Wenatchee YMCA Camp

If you missed the evening, you haven’t missed the moment – catch the highlights

At Forterra’s annual spring fundraiser on March 11, CEO Michelle Connor reflected on to Be of Use by Marge Piercy – a reminder that meaningful work is not always glamorous, but it is shared, necessary and real. That spirit was unmistakable in the room.  

With a sense of energy, alignment and real commitment, people showed up ready to roll up their sleeves, connected by a shared belief in the work ahead and the places we care for together.

The evening’s centerpiece was a conversation between environmental journalist and author Lynda Mapes and Forterra CEO Michelle Connor. Lynda spoke beautifully about the deep connections between salmon, bears, rivers, and forests. A self-described “practical optimist,” Lynda offered a message of hope that when we do the right thing and give nature a chance, it thrives.

But she also sounded an alarm bell, saying that protecting the places we love requires continued commitment, and we must continue to stand up for the places we love.

That message resonated. Together, guests helped surpass the evening’s $58,000 board match.

But the momentum didn’t end there. Inspired by the evening, a donor who was unable to attend stepped forward to offer a new $10,000 match – extending the impact and inviting others to be part of what comes next. 

The work ahead still needs all of us. And as the evening reminded us, it is the kind of work that matters most when we do it together.

Help us meet this $10,000 match and carry this momentum forward.

And if you’d like to experience the evening’s spirit and sense of connection, we invite you to watch the video of the event.

Step into Spring with Forterra – discover, explore, conserve

We’re delighted to share our full 2026 schedule for Forterra Nature Discovery™ and Forterra Fridays – it’s a year teeming with a diversity of experiences and opportunities to experience the landscapes at the heart of Forterra’s work. 

These events aren’t just outings, they are invitations into the work of Forterra.

Forterra Nature Discovery begins Saturday, March 28th in its ‘Spring’s Return’ event, returning to Hazel Wolf Wetlands, a 116-acre mosaic of wetlands that protects the Sammamish watershed and supports its extraordinary variety of plants, insects and birds. 

Saturday, April 4th brings us to Morse Wildlife Preserve, more than 90 acres of forest, prairie, and wetland shaped by years of partnership and community care for ‘Spring Discoveries’. Join experts from Firecraft NW on a fascinating journey through the preserve’s rare blend of upland forest, wetland, prairie land and migratory birds. 
Register now >

Forterra Friday celebrates Earth Month on April 17th at Crestview Park, where hands-on restoration helps protect native plants and the wildlife that depend on them.

In keeping with that commitment, we’ve shifted this event from Duwamish Hill Preserve to help protect nesting birds during this sensitive season, which begins April 15.
Register now >

Across all of these places, the work is the same: caring for lands that sustain both people and nature. Whether you’re discovering something new or getting your hands in the soil, these events offer a chance to be part of that shared effort.

We look forward to seeing you out on the land.

Forterra Nature Discovery™: See all events >

Forterra Fridays: See all events >

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