On Thursday, June 28, the Conservation Alliance and member companies Brooks Sports, Nikwax, Filson, Patagonia, Teva, Outdoor Research, Cascade Designs and Stanley will partner with Forterra in a restoration effort at Seward Park, in south Seattle.


Forterra is the largest conservation and community-building organization in the Northwest and this cross-organizational event, known as the Backyard Collective, brings together local Conservation Alliance member companies, and their employees, for a day of volunteer action.

“Our national parks, preserves and sanctuaries are in everyone’s ‘backyard’,” says John Sterling, executive director for the Conservation Alliance.  “It’s important that we protect these pristine playgrounds for our future generations. We look forward to each of the Backyard Collective events, and to working side-by-side with our member partners.”


The Seattle Backyard Collective takes place Thursday, June 28, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. – 2 p.m. with plans to help restore urban forest habitat at Seward Park, one of Seattle last remaining stands of old growth trees. Volunteers will be digging out blackberry, removing ivy, and spreading mulch for future native plant installation. Their efforts will be advancing the goals of the Green Seattle Partnership, a public private venture working to restore 2500 acres across the city by 2025.  An after party with refreshments and food catered by the Husky Deli follows the volunteer effort. The event also features a volunteer fair at which Conservation Alliance grantees and local environmental organizations will share information on their current conservation initiatives and share ways for individuals to get involved.


 “We are honored to partner with the Conservation Alliance and its member companies to help restore Seattle’s backyard forests,” says Gene Duvernoy, President of Forterra.  “These forested parklands improve our quality of life as well as our environment but they need help. It is great to have the outdoor industry joining in the effort.”


Seattle will be the third Backyard Collective event in the 2012 season. Upcoming locations include Vancouver, B.C. (July 12), Portland, Ore. (August 15) Boulder (August 24), Bend, Ore. (September 13), and Peterborough, New Hampshire (September 18). This is the fourth year of Backyard Collectives for the Conservation Alliance and their members, grantees and partners.

For more information about this event please contact coordinator, Cassondra Schindler at cassondra@conservationalliance.com or 541.222.9380