As 2024 comes to a close, Forterra NW reflects on a year of remarkable conservation achievements, ongoing restoration projects, and deepened community partnerships. Under the leadership of Michelle Connor, President and CEO, Forterra has continued to protect the lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest, preserving not only the environment but also the cultural and historical significance of many sites.

Thanks to the generosity of donors and the dedication of local partners, Forterra’s conservation efforts in 2024 have made a lasting impact on Washington’s landscapes and communities.

Key Conservation Wins of 2024

Protecting Forests, Farmlands, and Habitats

Forterra successfully expanded its protected lands through strategic acquisitions and conservation easements:

• Duwamish Hill Preserve, Tukwila – Added 1 acre to prevent development, safeguarding an area of cultural and ecological significance.
• Central Cascades – Acquired 30 acres of timber rights near Mt. Si to protect old-growth forests, completing the Hancock Creek conservation initiative.
• Saint Edwards State Park, Kenmore – Expanded the park by 6.5 acres, enhancing a critical wildlife corridor and preventing future development.
• Naneum Creek, Kittitas County – Secured a conservation easement on a 146-acre family farm, protecting agricultural land and Yakama Nation cultural artifacts.
• Woods Lake, Snohomish County – Conserved 40 acres of freshwater bog habitat, transferring it to the Tulalip Tribes for stewardship and environmental education.
• Chehalis Basin – Purchased properties to restore floodplain habitat, including home removals on an oxbow of the Chehalis River.
• Swamp Lake, Kachess Lodge Property – Conserved 30 acres near I-90, expanding wildlife crossings for safe passage of regional species.

These conservation efforts protect critical ecosystems, promote biodiversity, and ensure that both people and wildlife can thrive.

Returning Land to Indigenous Stewardship

A highlight of 2024 was the continued progress in restoring Frog’s Home, a 180-acre site of deep cultural significance to the Yakama Nation. Forterra acquired the land in September 2023 and has been working on habitat restoration in preparation for the site’s return to the Yakama Nation. Funding through grants and donations will support this transition, reaffirming Forterra’s commitment to honoring Indigenous relationships with the land.

Floodplain Resilience and Restoration

Flood-prone communities in Washington benefited from Forterra’s investments in flood resilience projects, helping mitigate risks while restoring ecological health:

• Hamilton, Skagit County – A WA Department of Ecology grant supports efforts to reduce flood hazards and reclaim floodplain habitat.
• Chehalis Basin – Floodplain restoration continues, with the strategic purchase of properties in high-risk areas to improve natural water flow and reduce damage.

These efforts will help communities adapt to climate change while restoring floodplain habitats for fish, wildlife, and native vegetation.

Building a Sustainable Future: Affordable Housing and Urban Greening

Recognizing the intersection between conservation and community needs, Forterra has taken on urban restoration and housing affordability projects:

• Roslyn, WA – Forterra is cleaning up an old coal mine site to develop affordable housing and green space, using funds from an EPA grant and state grants.
• Evergreen Restoration Program – This initiative is focused on planting native trees and plants to increase urban canopy coverage, reduce heat islands, and provide carbon offsetting opportunities.

Through these projects, Forterra is making conservation more inclusive, addressing environmental justice, and supporting community well-being.

Empowering Communities Through Restoration Grants

Forterra launched the Community Restoration Grants program in 2024 to support historically under-invested communities in leading their own land restoration projects. Six organizations received grants this year:

1. Olympia High School’s Freedom Farmers
2. Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park
3. Nature Vision
4. Delridge Neighborhoods
5. Environmental Science Center
6. EarthCorps

With additional grants planned for 2025, this program empowers communities to restore local ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and strengthen environmental education efforts.

Expanding Nature Access for All

Forterra’s commitment to accessibility and outdoor engagement has led to several new initiatives:

• Forterra Nature Discovery Program – Launched in summer 2024, this free program offers nature walks guided by naturalists, artists, and meditation instructors. Funded by corporate sponsors, it encourages people from all backgrounds to experience the outdoors.
• Morse Wildlife Preserve, Pierce County – Forterra is working with the National Park Service to develop a feasibility study for universal access, making natural spaces more inclusive.

These programs help ensure that everyone, regardless of ability or background, has the opportunity to connect with nature.

The Road Ahead: Stewardship and Support

With over 17,000 acres of land under management, Forterra requires ongoing funding for land stewardship, habitat restoration, and conservation projects. In 2024, the organization continued seeking grants and donor support to sustain these efforts.

As a major election year approaches, conservation funding could face challenges, making community contributions more critical than ever. Forterra encourages those passionate about protecting Washington’s landscapes to donate and support its mission.

Final Thoughts: A Year of Progress, A Future of Possibilities

Forterra’s 2024 conservation efforts demonstrate the power of collaboration, strategic action, and community-driven stewardship. From expanding protected forests to restoring floodplains, addressing affordable housing, and supporting Indigenous land return, the impact of these initiatives will be felt for generations to come.

By continuing to invest in land conservation and community resilience, Forterra ensures that Washington’s wild spaces, farmlands, and urban green spaces remain thriving, sustainable, and accessible to all.

🔗 To learn more or support Forterra’s mission, visit forterra.org.