Otak Sponsors Forterra’s Green City Partnership
November, 2021
Gift will aid effort to improve Green-Duwamish Watershed’s environmental equity
Otak, Inc. is proud to announce its $8,000 sponsorship of Forterra’s Green City Partnership, a community-driven stewardship program that restores urban forests and parks in Washington state.
Otak’s contribution will directly support Forterra’s restoration work within the Green-Duwamish Watershed, identified by the EPA as one of the most polluted watersheds in the nation. Otak has helped the region manage its pollutants and stormwater run-off for more than ten years, notably designing environmental restoration and stormwater treatment projects for the Port of Seattle’s 162-acre Northeast Redevelopment Area between the cities of Burien and SeaTac.
“With this gift, we want to take the next step and show our personal commitment to making this region a healthier place to live,” shared Russ Gaston, Otak’s director of water and natural resources. “Supporting Forterra is one of the best ways to do that.”
“We greatly appreciate Otak’s support,” said Kim Hickey, Forterra’s associate philanthropy director. “When companies like Otak show environmental leadership like this, we can strengthen our green spaces and improve the air and water quality in these historically under-resourced communities.”
In addition to financial support, Otak will be involved in four private restoration events at locations in most need of volunteers within the cities of Burien, Des Moines, SeaTac, and Tukwila. The first event was held on October 30th at Tukwila Park.
To learn more about Forterra’s Green City Partnership and events, including Green City Days, Forterra’s annual kickoff to planting season, visit https://forterra.org/green-city-days-2021.
ABOUT FORTERRA
Forterra is a Washington-based nonprofit that enhances, supports, and stewards the region’s most precious resources — its communities and its ecosystems. Forterra conserves and stewards land, develops innovative policies, and supports sustainable rural and urban development. In its 30-year history, Forterra has helped conserve more than 250,000 acres. Its work stretches from the farmlands and river canyons of Yakima to the estuaries and forests of Washington’s coastline, reaching more than 100 counties, cities, and towns. Visit www.forterra.org.
ABOUT GREEN CITY PARTNERSHIPS
Green City Partnerships began 17 years ago in 2004, when Forterra and the City of Seattle responded to a critical need to sustain and improve the health of forested parks and urban greenspaces in Seattle’s neighborhoods. Green City Partnerships Are collaborative efforts between Forterra, community volunteers, and cities across the Puget Sound to steward forested parklands and green spaces, improving ecological health, access to nature, and community well-being. Forterra’s Green Cities program trains and supports Forest Stewards—lead volunteers who coordinate community restoration work in-park—bringing together the people, materials, technical knowledge, and other resources to make on-the-ground forest restoration a reality.
Collectively, Green City Partnerships now span 14 cities plus Snohomish County and is working to restore more than 13,000 acres of forest parkland and serve 1.6 million people who live in these communities. Visit www.forterra.org/greencitypartnerships.
For more information about Otak, Forterra, or the Green City Partnerships contact:
Adam Tycaster, Pursuit Manager, Otak
425-250-5207
adam.tycaster@otak.com
Pronouns: he/him
Kim Hickey, Associate Philanthropy Director, Institutional Engagement, Forterra
206-905-6955
khickey@forterra.org
Pronouns: she/her