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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
Hiking to Lake Serene
We arrived at the parking lot of the trailhead in the early morning hours. The air was crisp and the sky a bit overcast. It was my first time to Lake Serene and I was incredibly excited to make the 4.1 mile trek into the woods to see it with my own eyes.
Invigorating our Local Food System
By playing to our strengths—land acquisitions—we’re teaming up with local organizations to invigorate the local food economy in South King County. Earlier this year Forterra partnered with International Rescue Community and Global to Local to build a new community garden in Kent’s West Hill neighborhood to serve local refugee, immigrant, and low-incomes families. What started as a thicket of blackberry is now a 10,500 square foot garden for thirty-five families next to a new fruit tree orchard.
Lively discussion at North Sound Sustainability Forum
Many people expressed a strong desire to support farming communities so they may thrive in the future while working with cities to prevent sprawl and protect the beauty and resources of the region.
Anthropo-what?
Is the news on climate change all doom and gloom? There may be hope if we work hard towards becoming a more resilient region. Read here about Dr. Lisa Graumlich’s presentation on the anthropocene.
County OKs sales of rights to conserve farm, forest lands
A new program aims to protect Snohomish County’s farms and forests while concentrating building activity elsewhere. The transfer of development…
In record deal, more than 150 acres of farmland preserved in Pierce County
More than 150 acres along the Puyallup River will be preserved forever as farmland and wildlife habitat. It’s the biggest…
It’s Official! Huge New Park Coming To Bothell
BOTHELL, December 12, 2017 – The Bothell City Council voted tonight to complete its acquisition of the former Wayne Golf…
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…