Perspectives — Rural
Working with a range of rural community leaders and residents, we envision vibrant town centers, access to locally grown food, and new opportunities for economic growth and development based in our rural communities.
Invasive Species Awareness Week
On a basic level, most invasive species are non-native organisms (plant, animal, insect, etc.) that have been ‘introduced’ into an environment. This year, in honor of Invasive Species Awareness Week, we asked the experts what their “favorite” invasive is and the gory details behind their love-hate relationship with these plants.
6 Things We Learned at the Cross Laminated Timber Forum
100 leaders from around Washington and the PNW gathered to celebrate a year of progress catalyzing a market for CLT.
Brownfield to Keystone: Ellensburg’s new fire station
Ellensburg’s new fire station rose up in place of a truck weigh station that left the soil contaminated with petroleum. The endangered salmon creek that runs past it is being restored, too.
Bringing community together to get ahead of growth in Everett
About 100 city and county leaders gathered earlier this month in Everett to discuss a vision for the redevelopment and revitalization of the neighborhood surrounding Everett Station. Walking through the area today, a pedestrian passes light industry and warehouses, vacant lots, and pockets of crime and homelessness.
Earth Day 2016: Take a “paws” to be inspired
In this 46th year of Earth Day celebration, there has never been a more adorable, fluffy, and slobbery champion. The Conservation Canines team, based out of the University of Washington, spends a lot of time thinking outside of the box to solve complex issues.
Cultivating crops, cultivating community in Tukwila
Namaste Garden in Tukwila is doubling in size just in time for its sixth growing season. Community members and Forterra staff volunteered to help expand the garden.
A conversation about growing food in a growing region
A family farmer, an agrihood manager and an edible yard landscaper talk food, preserving land and how raising chickens can build community at Forterra’s Seed & Feed speaker event.
Saving a farm from development in Arlington
Learn how Forterra purchased Riverbend Farm to return a subdivision to farming. Meet the third generation farmer who will purchase the property.
Cedar River: holding strong
As knotweed is removed along the Cedar River, butterfly bush is on the rise. Learn how volunteers play an important role in fighting these weeds and improving the river’s health.
Our editorial about cross-laminated timber in The Puget Sound Business Journal
Developing a cross-laminated timber pipeline in Washington is one step toward advancing our region as a leader in the movement for great cities and sustainability.
A focus on safety in Tukwila
Over 70 community members—both young and old—representing five language groups, police officers and fire fighters participated in meaningful conversation.
Strength in Timbers
Washington researchers, architects and rural town boosters see promise, and possibly sustainability, in an engineered wood product called cross-laminated timber, or CLT.
Pierce County farm tour
Strawberries, raspberries and blueberries—oh my! Forterra Regional Leader Amanda Nathan reminisces of a berry-filled childhood in Pierce County while addressing Forterra’s conservation projects working to protect farms and encourage economic prosperity in the South Sound.
In Pierce County, a wetland provides an escape into nature
A walk through the Morse Wildlife Preserve transports you to a different world. It’s thanks to the dedicated volunteers who have worked over the past 20 years to turn this space into a community treasure.
How do we value nature?
White Farm is one of the largest contiguous blocks of farmland in Pierce County and borders over 210 acres of protected farmland and open space. The benefits to the community are multiple. Given its countless benefits, how can we calculate how much something like White Farm is worth?
Breaking ground on I-90’s first wildlife overpass
The wildlife overpass project will provide safe passage to wildlife, widen the freeway to six lanes and redirect avalanches under the highway and is a milestone in both transportation and wildlife policy
Call to action: support TDR and preserve SnoCo farmland
The innovative transfer of development rights program is a way to protect farmland and encourage building in more urban areas. It’s a program that works and it needs to be preserved.