Corridors
Thinking holistically in a given geography, we address the important connections between people, land and work—linking city and rural town, working lands and wild lands.
Our effort is currently focused on the enhancement and sustainability of the lands and communities along our great natural corridors—the Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway, Great Northern Corridor/Highway 2 and the Puyallup/Carbon River Valley. We chose these regions for their diverse economic, ecological and cultural characteristics and the synergy that can be gained by coordinating projects in the specific geography of each corridor.
-
Land conservation
Our traditional ‘bread and butter,’ we preserve critical land forever while investigating new ways to secure substantial conservation and materially improve communities while providing market return.
-
An engaged community
Working with a range of rural community leaders and residents we re-envision vibrant rural and major town centers and explore creative, new opportunities for economic growth and development. Key to this effort is nurturing deep and ongoing relationships with Tribal nations.
-
Economic development
Aiming to provide sustainable economic opportunities for our rural towns while improving the health of our landscapes, we seek and promote a range of initiatives, including innovative green products, historic status reinvestment and outdoor recreational opportunities.
-
Increased access to natural areas
Forterra collaborates to further develop and improve access to recreational opportunities while enhancing the protection and restoration of the corridors’ unique natural resources
The corridors we are working in:
Yakima River Canyon Scenic Byway
Forterra’s been leading conservation and community building efforts in the Yakima River Corridor including Teanaway River Valley, Swiftwater Corridor and Yakima River Scenic Byway. With projects ranging from landscape-scale conservation acquisitions, to education and outreach, to construction of interpretive facilities, Forterra continues to lead the way, bringing a comprehensive approach to maximize the public and community value of this corridor.
Skykomish Valley to the Salish Sea
This corridor has the components of a vibrant, resilient region, with employment, food and wood production, recreation and habitat restoration stretching from Everett to Stevens Pass. We’ve built long-standing partnerships with large forest landowners, taken a growing role in farmland conservation, created a new Green City relationship with Everett and launched the Skykomish Initiative bringing new energy to the revitalization of the historic town and surrounding scenic areas.
Puyallup/Carbon River Valley
This corridor connects Mt. Rainier to Commencement Bay. It follows the course of the Carbon River, from Mt. Rainier National Park through the historic communities of Wilkeson and Carbonado, and from the confluence with the Puyallup River to Puget Sound. Forterra is a leader in this corridor as a convener and partner of multiple stakeholder groups focused on cultural heritage protection, natural resource conservation, wildlife habitat protection and investments in recreational infrastructure.
Our vision of success is for Skykomish to be a recreation hub—a thriving center for outdoor activities that offers amenities like lodging, food and entertainment for visitors. Instead of stopping for a few minutes on their way to another town, families will choose to spend their weekends here.
Related Perspectives and News
Matlock Farm Series
Completed in February 2015, the conservation easement on 153 acres of land that’s been farmed for over 100 years ensures Matlock Farm will continue to be farmed for generations to come.
Snohomish County Decision Broadens Conservation Options
A vote by the Snohomish County Council last week amended zoning along the Highway 99 corridor between Lynnwood and Everett to encourage more compact development near transit, expanding options for farmland conservation by adding areas where new construction can take advantage of a program called transfer of development rights.
Cross Laminated Timber Bill Passes Legislature
Washington State is poised to be a national leader in mass timber construction with the passage of SB 5450, which will support the expanded use of Cross Laminated Timber and other mass timber products. The legislation requires the State Building Code Council to adopt rules for the use of mass timber products for residential and commercial building construction.
Washington Conservation Corps—a force to be reckoned with
With an emphasis on restoring salmon habitat, removing invasive weeds and installing native vegetation, Forterra’s WCC crew is an efficient machine capable of carrying out complex, important projects.
Tacoma adopts TDR, joins regional effort
The Tacoma City Council voted unanimously on Sept. 25, 2012 to adopt its first transfer of development rights (TDR) program.…
Old growth forest protected in Tacoma’s watershed
Forterra purchased 344-acres of forest land along Sawmill Creek from Plum Creek Timber Company for permanent conservation in December 2012.…
Port Susan Farms conserved for agriculture, wildlife
Farming at Port Susan Farms is permanently conserved, after an agreement was signed by property owner Jeff Ellingsen, Forterra (formerly…
Largest farmland conservation in Pierce County history
Pierce County and Forterra ensured this week that one of the largest farms in Pierce County will be farmed for…