Inspired by the efforts of the BECU employees who independently began restoration work on over 10,000 square feet of shoreline along the Duwamish River, and through a partnership with Forterra and the City of Tukwila, BECU is issuing a friendly challenge to other businesses along the river to join in restoring the shoreline habitat. Local businesses can participate by donating money, volunteer labor, or both.

Much of the banks of the Duwamish River are overgrown with invasive plants such as Himalayan blackberry that have choked out native vegetation. These invasive species are destroying vital habitat for salmon and other native wildlife, and make it more difficult for Tukwila’s workers and residents to enjoy the river.

Through the Restore the Duwamish Shoreline Challenge, we aim to unite Tukwila’s business community for this local environmental cause. As an announcement and celebration of our common goal and cooperation, the Challenge kicked off with a Sept. 14th event for participants. Looking forward, there will be regularly scheduled events that will ultimately restore 150,000 square feet of riverbank along almost 1.5 miles of the Duwamish River.

BECU has committed $10,000 to the Challenge and is providing staff time to assist other businesses with hands-on restoration projects. We hope you will accept the Challenge!

(Click map to download a PDF version)

How You Can Get Involved:

• Sponsor a section of the river.  Funding is needed to purchase restoration materials, recruit and support volunteers, and maintain newly planted shoreline areas. Challenge sponsors will also receive recognition at our launch event and will be featured in publicity materials.
• Organize a team of volunteers to help with restoration projects. Volunteer leaders can receive special training and help their workplace get involved.
• Grant access. Much of the shoreline we hope to restore is on private property. Granting permission for Challenge participants to work on your property is a simple, but crucial step for our success.
• Help get the word out.  Help others learn about the Challenge by putting up fliers, and by informing clients, customers, and colleagues.
• Join a volunteer event. CLICK HERE to check our Events Calendar to find the next volunteer restortation event at the Duwamish.

Click here to learn about our Sponsorship Levels.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions about the Challenge.

To join the challenge, please contact:
     Hayes Swinney, Forterra Stewardship Director
     (206) 509-6909
     hswinney@forterra.org

What’s in the Works:

• Reaching out to participating businesses and securing sponsorships for the project.
• Recruiting and training volunteer leaders to engage more of the community.
• Purchasing tools, native plants, erosion control material, and other supplies needed for restoration efforts.
• Organizing volunteer work parties to remove invasive plants from the shoreline and plant native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers.
• Contracting professional restoration crews to work on sites too steep or otherwise difficult for volunteers.

Partners