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11th Annual Cascade Land Conservancy Awards Breakfast draws 1,400 to honor heroes of conservation

Five years ago the Cascade Land Conservancy and the Wildlife Forever Fund formed a quiet partnership to identify and preserve some of the major estuaries in Western Washington.

These areas were “expensive mud,” as Richard Leeds of the Wildlife Fund says.  But the partners knew that without quick action, these fragile areas where fresh and saltwater meet would be threatened by development that would forever change them.

Over the past five years, 28 properties along estuaries in 10 counties have been preserved by the unique partnership between the Wildlife Fund and the Cascade Land Conservancy.  That means thousands of acres of land ranging from Willapa Bay in Pacific County to Pysht on the Strait of Juan de Fuca are protected.

The success of the program was highlighted today at the Cascade Land Conservancy’s 11th annual Conservation Awards Breakfast where the Wildlife Forever Fund was given the prestigious Frank Pritchard Lifetime Achievement Award.  More than 1,400 people attended what is the largest gathering of conservationists in the state.

The Frank Pritchard Lifetime award honors an individual (or individuals) who play an important role in the conservation of open space and resource lands. It celebrates long-term passion and commitment, above and beyond the call of duty, crucial to the conservation of our region’s unique natural character and to the enhancement of the quality of life for our citizens.

The award was presented by Bruce Williams, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of HomeStreet Bank, sponsor of the award, to Fund co-presidents Leeds and Anne Kroeker, along with board members Bob Blais and Mike Sweeney.

Wildlife Forever Fund’s work with CLC and other partners has protected in total more than 25 rivers and creeks for a total of more than 9,000 acres and 20 miles of saltwater shoreline in Washington State.

And they are not done yet.  Mark Johnsen, CLC’s estuary expert who handled most of the transactions, said more work remains to be done.  “We have another five years,” he said. Johnsen said Maryanne Tagney Jones, CLC Board member, and others played a strong role in the estuary program.

In addition, at the breakfast, the Cascade Land Conservancy marked the first year of activity by The Cascade Agenda, the 100-year conservation plan announced at last year’s Awards event which links conservation to the region’s quality of life and economic vitality.

“A year ago I stood here with a 100-year vision called The Cascade Agenda.  We were not thinking outside the box – we blew up the box,” said Gene Duvernoy, CLC president.

In its first year the Agenda and its many partners have moved from idea to reality.  About 5,000 acres were preserved during the year in a number of projects that reflect the goals and ambitions of the Agenda.  Among the Agenda land transactions started or completed by the Conservation team at the Cascade Land Conservancy during the year which were highlighted at the Awards Breakfast:

• White River:  A preliminary agreement with Puget Sound Energy was signed in September that could lead to the preservation of 3,000 acres along the river straddling King and Pierce Counties.  The property includes about 10 miles of riverbank.
• Snake Lake:  About 13 acres in the heart of Tacoma were preserved recently in a transaction that resolved a community dispute with a proposed development.  The project was described as the best possible outcome for the developer, the community and for Tacoma.
• Black Diamond: A complicated agreement involving six different parties was signed last spring, resulting in preservation of thousands of acres of working forests and increased wise development within the city of Black Diamond.
• Cabin Creek:  About 400 acres of key land in the I-90 corridor were purchased by the Cascade Land Conservancy last summer.  The land is an important wildlife corridor but also is used heavily by hikers, snowshoers and snowmobilers. The transaction also was significant as the first use of the Conservation Investment Fund, a $5 million private placement that allows the CLC to move quickly to acquire properties for eventual preservation.
  

In addition, The Cascade Agenda also took strides toward the implementation of the more than 25 major strategies identified in the Agenda.  Chief among those were:

• Establishment of a 28-member Leadership Team, a cross section of the region, representing key figures from government, business, academia and environmental groups.
• Formation of a Coalition made up of the more than 1,000 individuals, businesses, organizations and elected leaders who have endorsed the Agenda.
• Creation of work groups drawn from coalition volunteers which already have begun the nitty-gritty work of creating the new and sophisticated tools that will be needed.  Groups around forestry, financing and great cities have made substantial strides forward.
• Authorization from the Legislature and Gov. Chris Gregoire of two demonstration projects to show how transfer of development rights can be used to achieve significant regional conservation.  Programs, approved as part of the budget, will be developed in Snohomish and Pierce Counties.
  

“We discovered that we can get more working together than separately or at odds,” Duvernoy said.  “We have seen the power of linking our landscapes with a strong economy and good housing. We recognize that good development is not a bad word. We said that creating great cities and towns along with conserving great environments is not the best, or worst of two choices.  It’s our only choice.”

Duvernoy also outlined plans for the coming year.
“Mark my words, over the upcoming year we face significant political, legislative and substantive challenges,” he said. “

Working together with you we will advance our collective vision for the Cascade Agenda.”

In the year ahead, CLC and its partners will work to:

• Turn the call for great communities into a reality with more programs like the Green Seattle Partnership.  A green cities program will be developed, covering at least two additional urban areas.
• Complete the job of our current Agenda work groups on financing forest land conservation and assisting groups like small family forest owners.
• Start both the work and new working groups on a host of innovative tools to advance the CA vision of conservation on a landscape scale.
• Support elected leaders, businesses and citizens who want to make their towns Cascade Agenda Cities. A group of Seattle Civic Leaders already have pledged nearly $100,000 to begin a program here.
  

Seven other awards were presented by the CLC at its 11th annual Breakfast.

The John H. Stanford Education Achievement Award, sponsored by HSBC Bank USA, was presented to the Kittitas Environmental Education Network (KEEN) and Becca Wassel, president of the board.

This award honors the late Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools, celebrating the contributions of K-12 students as stakeholders in our community and recognizing innovative projects that engender an appreciation for the natural environment through hands-on experience.

KEEN is an all-volunteer non-profit organization in Ellensburg, providing environmental education opportunities for learners of all ages.  Each year, more than 500 people attend informal environmental education events in Kittitas Count.

The Conservation Media Award, sponsored by the Port Blakely Companies, was given for the first time this year to acknowledge creativity, innovation and effectiveness in such areas as art, photography or journalism.

The first award was presented to Art Wolfe, a Seattle native whose photographs are well recognized throughout the world. His stunning images interpret and record the world's fast-disappearing wildlife, landscapes and native cultures. Wolfe was returning from the East Coast yesterday, so the award was accepted by his associate, Craig Schaek.

Wolfe also has put together the first Environmental Photography Invitational.  The show is on display from Thursday (May 18) through June 30th in Wolfe’s remodeled gallery in the SODO neighborhood at 1944 First Avenue South.  Among the hundreds of photographs in the show is the first annual Cascade Agenda winner, recognizing a photograph that best exhibits the values of the Agenda.
The New Directions in Conservation Award, sponsored by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, was presented for an extraordinary corporate commitment to conservation principles, particularly to efforts that enhance our urban communities.

This year’s award was presented to Mithun for its innovative and collaborative corporate spirit which encompasses architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture and interior design services.  Sam Anderson, executive officer of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, presented the award to Bert Gregory, Mithun president.

The Community Service Award, sponsored by Quadrant Homes, was presented to the Washington Farm Forestry Association.

It acknowledges volunteers who conserve or steward an important natural area in our region. Ken Miller, president, accepted the award for the association, which provides educational programs to improve forest stewardship and to increase public awareness of the importance of family tree farms.

The Land Stewardship Award, sponsored by Puget Sound Energy, was presented to Citizens for a Healthy Bay.
Stanley Cummings, Executive Director, Citizens for a Healthy Bay, accepted the award for the group, a community-based organization in Tacoma dedicated to creating a long-term environmental stewardship ethic in the south Puget Sound region.

The Cascade Agenda Leadership Award, another new award this year, was presented to Rep. Brian Sullivan and Rep. Fred Jarrett for leading the drive to include transfer of development rights demonstration projects in the current budget.

The award acknowledges leadership, vision and creative action that advances The Cascade Agenda.  Representatives Sullivan and Jarrett accepted this award on behalf of a whole team of legislators who worked, on both sides of the aisle, to pass important legislation.

The Innovative Conservation Project Award, sponsored by The Boeing Company, was awarded to King County, Vulcan and the Girl Scouts Totem Council for their far-sighted work with Camp River Ranch.

In January, King County, Vulcan and the Girl Scouts announced an agreement that will permanently preserve the 438-acre Camp River Ranch near Carnation. The agreement showcases the power of a working method to transfer development rights.

King County’s Transfer of Development Rights Program resulted in the preservation of a half mile of riverbank along the Tolt River.

An affiliate of Vulcan Inc. paid the Girl Scouts for development rights that will allow construction of an additional 28,000 square feet of residential space at Vulcan’s 2201 Westlake mixed-use project in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood. This unique non-profit, private and government partnership, along with King County Executives Ron Sims’ leadership, delivered a strong win-win solution.
New leadership will be taking the reins at the Cascade Land Conservancy when the new fiscal year begins in July.  Maryanne Tagney Jones, a community leader and advocate, will be the new Chair.  She has served on the CLC Board of Directors since 1997.

Two Vice Chairs were elected, a reflection of the growing complexity of CLC operations.  Bruce Williams has been on the Board of the Cascade Land Conservancy since 1994 and currently serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance and Administration Committee.  He is the Chairman and CEO of HomeStreet Bank.  Joe Sambataro, Jr., joined CLC’s Board in 2004.  Sambataro recently retired as President and CEO of Tacoma-based Labor Ready.

The new Treasurer is Peter Orser, President of Quadrant Homes.  Debbie Young is Secretary.  She joined CLC’s Board of Directors in 2005.  She is currently the Natural Resources Manager for Tacoma Power.

Howell served as chair during a period of dramatic growth and development for the organization.  The Cascade Agenda was developed and implemented under Howell’s guidance as well as geographic and staff growth.

“There’s lots of work to do to insure our successful future, and to achieve the ambitious vision of the Cascade Agenda," said Howell.  "But the possibilities are limitless.  I couldn’t feel better about turning over the Chair mantel to Maryanne.  She will guide the organization with passion and good sense."

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