Coast Salish lands today

The Skykomish River originates in the Cascades and flows west, navigating tight canyons and steep drops and widening into shallows. South of Monroe, it joins the Snoqualmie River to form the Snohomish, which heads northwest, skirting fast-growing Everett and emptying into Puget Sound. The rivers travel the ancestral home of the Coast Salish people. Today the Tulalip Tribes hunt, fish, and gather on these lands, according to tradition and with treaty protection.

Settlers shaped the land, laying roads, rails, and trails, logging, plowing, and building. Today a rapidly growing population is encroaching on farmland and forests. Forterra is helping to retain these natural spaces and rural livelihoods. There is important work to be done — vulnerable lands to protect, rivers to restore, small towns whose economies are evolving, and urban centers whose growth calls for sound policy.

Connecting communities, land, and work

Forterra recognizes that no parcel of land, stretch of river, or community exists in isolation. Working closely with partners, we have embarked on an initiative that addresses the needs of communities and landscapes along the Skykomish and Snohomish Rivers to support livability and prosperity in cities and towns; support responsible recreation; encourage growth within our existing footprint; strengthen food systems; and conserve wild and working rural lands. These dozen-plus programs create a powerful synergy, advancing environmental and economic sustainability throughout the corridor.

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Progress along the corridor

At the eastern end, Forterra secured 640 ecologically rich acres at Windy Ridge, home to ancient trees and habitat for a variety of wildlife that are endangered or threatened. At the western end is Everett where hundreds of volunteers engage in hands-on care of parks through Forterra’s Green City Partnership and where we’re working with the community to reimagine the Everett Station District as a neighborhood of public transit, affordable homes, healthy parks, and small businesses. Since 1993, Forterra has conserved 11,100 acres along the corridor. We have also begun a long-term plan to manage invasive plants and restore salmon habitat throughout the river system. Working with a coalition of  municipalities, businesses, tribes, government agencies, and conservation groups, we are supporting responsible river recreation. These are just a few of many projects that fill out a plan of action to address environmental health, economic need, and community wellbeing in concert.

Support the Skykomish-Snohomish Rivers Corridor

To support Forterra’s work, including regional initiatives like this, donate today.

Partners

We are indebted to dozens of partners — government agencies, tribal governments, nonprofits, community groups, and businesses — who have helped make these successes possible.