Seattle, June 16, 2008 – The Cascade Land Conservancy and its Cascade Agenda have been selected as a winner in the inaugural Sustainable Cities Awards program, sponsored jointly by the London Financial Times and the Urban Land Institute. It is one of nine outstanding organizations around the world named in the first annual awards program.

The award winners were announced today in London in conjunction with a Financial Times/ Urban Land Institute Sustainable Cities conference. Two other organizations from Seattle also won awards - Kennedy Associates, a real estate investment advisor, and Vulcan, for its redevelopment of the South Lake Union neighborhood. The City of Seattle was one of the finalists.

The Conservancy and The Agenda received the award because the “jury felt this program exhibits a sophisticated understanding about sustainability issues and one that is already changing behavior in the region,” according to the program.

The Cascade Agenda is a collective 100-year vision and action plan for conserving Washington’s remarkable landscapes in the face of a growing population and a changing economic base. It has two main goals:

• Conserve 1.3 million acres of working forests, productive farmland and sensitive areas to ensure that natural resources and economic security, locally grown food and open space for wildlife habitat and recreation will continue forever.
• Enhance local communities and neighborhoods so they become complete, compact and connected.

“It takes our breath away – a regional effort to be recognized in a global competition,” said Maryanne Tagney Jones, Board Chair of the Conservancy.  “The award recognizes outstanding and innovative programs that advance sustainability principles.  The Cascade Land Conservancy and The Cascade Agenda are committed to advancing the region.”

“Working in the region for the past two decades, it comes as no surprise that three organizations from Seattle won awards,” said Gene Duvernoy, CLC President.  “Just look at what is happening here with organizations like Kennedy Associates, Vulcan and the City of Seattle.  With the civic, business and environmental leadership in this area, we can make the Agenda a reality and secure this region’s future.”

The Sustainable Cities Awards “honor global examples of ongoing programs that exhibit new ideas and perspectives for best practices in sustainable land use.  Each of the winners is incorporating initiatives that are making a significant contribution in highlighting the concept of sustainability in real estate,” according to the awards program jury. The nine were selected from 18 finalists chosen from a field of 86 entries submitted from 15 countries.

"The best way to assess sustainability is from the three angles of economic, social and environmental well-being," said Awards Jury Chairman Reinhard Kutscher, chair of the management board, Union Investment Real Estate AG, Hamburg, Germany. "Those we honor today are leading positive change in sustainable land use. They are at the forefront of design and development techniques that are land efficient and energy efficient."

In addition to the Cascade Land Conservancy, the other 2008 Sustainable Cities Award winners are:

The City of Chicago - The city of Chicago leads all cities in incorporating preservation and sustainability practices into its own operations and in the delivery of services to its constituents. The jury was impressed with the comprehensiveness of Chicago's involvement in green practices; how integrated they were with city ordinances, and the size and scale of its influence.

The City of Greensburg, Kansas -- Ninety percent of the building stock of Greensburg, Kansas, a farming town with a population 1,389, was destroyed by a tornado in 2007. Instead of rebuilding the past, the citizens of Greenburg voted to rebuild for a sustainable future. The jury believed that Greensburg's model for the reconstruction of rural communities after natural disasters is applicable globally and should be applauded.

Enterprise Community Partners for "Green Communities" -- Since 2004 the Enterprise Green Communities program has invested more than $570 million to create more than 11,000 green affordable units across 100 U.S. cities. The jury believed that Enterprise Community Partners exhibited the highest level of expertise in their leadership, as the program moves people away from the ethos of bigger is better.

Jones Lang LaSalle for "Portfolio Sustainability Management Program" -- Jones Lang LaSalle, with more than 1.2 billion square feet under management and billions more owned or leased by clients that the firm advises worldwide, is setting influential standards for its own portfolio and those of its clients. JLL's expansive reach is peerless and its portfolio management program has permeated its corporate culture.

Kennedy Associates for "Responsible Property Investing" -- Kennedy Associates believes that buildings developed and managed according to sustainability principles possess a competitive advantage over traditional structures, and it applies this commitment across its entire $9.6 billion portfolio. Kennedy targets LEED-Silver certification for all development projects, as well as Energy Star benchmarking for all existing buildings. Kennedy Associates has integrated this strategy into everything the firm does, not just in real estate, but also in its social agenda.

New Songdo City Master Plan, master planned by Kohn Pedersen Fox and developed by Gale International with POSCO E&C -- The master plan for this new city in South Korea is complete and construction is underway. This private-enterprise plan is a pilot project in LEED's Neighborhood Development program, with a strong emphasis on carbon-use reduction. For the jury, the master plan reflects a strategy that applies state-of-the-art green practices in urban design, engineering, construction, infrastructure and energy systems.

PNC for "Greening PNC" -- PNC Financial Services Group has led all U.S. companies in LEED certifications since 2000, when its corporate headquarters was the first financial building to be LEED certified. PNC has incorporated this commitment into a corporate policy that now includes 41 "Green Branch" locations. The jury noted PNC's long-standing leadership in the sustainability field and the company's influence on its supply chain.

Vulcan for "Creating a New Model for Sustainable, Mixed-Use Urban Communities" -- Vulcan's strategic approach to the redevelopment of 60 acres (24 hectares) it owns in Seattle's South Lake Union neighborhood has revitalized the formerly industrial district, attracting new employers and creative-class tenants. The jury commended the real estate organization for its civic responsibility and social inclusion, and its practice of a model strategy for urban infill redevelopment.

In addition to Kutscher, the 2008 Sustainable Cities Awards Jury included Guy Battle, principal, Battle McCarthy, London, United Kingdom; Megan Christensen, director of community development and sustainability, Lend Lease Communities, LLC, Denver, Colo.; Todd Mansfield, chairman and chief executive officer, Crosland, LLC, Charlotte, N.C.; Chandran Nair, founder and chief executive officer, Global Institute for Tomorrow, Hong Kong, China; and Lee Polisano, principal, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates, London, United Kingdom.

According to Richard M. Rosan, president, ULI Worldwide, the awards program is an excellent way to illustrate the importance of the impact of the built environment on climate change.

"Growing concern over climate change is spurring demand for the inclusion of sustainable practices in the planning, design and development of cities and buildings worldwide," Rosan said. "We are delighted to be promoting through these awards best practices in sustainable land use around the globe."

John Ridding, chief executive of the Financial Times, said, "We believe these awards will provide an effective means of encouraging best-practice in this important area. We hope this competition will inspire greater recognition of the need for sustainability in our built environment."

The jury noted that in addition to the winners, all the finalists are demonstrating excellence in sustainability practices. The City of Seattle was cited for being home to the most LEED-certified buildings in the country. “Seattle's Green Building Program uses financial incentives, technical assistance and educational programs to spur green building techniques,” the awards jury noted.

Duvernoy congratulated the other Seattle winners.  He pointed out that the Conservancy has relationships with all of the Seattle winners. The CLC works with the local office of the Enterprise Partners on a range of affordable housing initiatives; Bruce Hosford of Kennedy Associates sits on the organization’s Council of Advisers, and Ada Healey, Vice President of Real Estate at Vulcan, is a member of the Cascade Agenda Leadership team.

About the Urban Land Institute: The Urban Land Institute (www.uli.org) is a nonprofit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to provide leadership in the responsible use of land and in creating and sustaining thriving communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the Institute has more than 40,000 members representing all aspects of the land use and development disciplines.

About Financial Times Conferences: Established in 1971, Financial Times Conferences has many years experience of conferences, seminars, road shows, courses and forums. More than 1,000 events have been arranged worldwide and Financial Times Conferences has built up an enviable reputation for quality, integrity and accuracy. Expert program development teams in conjunction create editorial programs with Financial Times journalists and speakers and delegates are drawn from the most senior levels of industry, commerce and government. Further information can be found online at www.ftconferences.com.