King County Executive Dow Constantine on April 13 honored 13 businesses, cities, organizations, and groups, including the Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance and North Bend’s Doug McClelland, for the work they’re doing to protect and improve the local environment.
The Green Globe Awards are the county’s highest honor for local environmental efforts.
“The Green Globe recipients reflect our region’s steadfast commitment to protecting the natural environment that is central to our quality of life,” said Executive Constantine. “We are the proud home to innovative businesses, nonprofits, cities, and tribal nations that are helping us create a more sustainable future.”
The top honor — Environmental Catalyst Award — went to the Lummi Nation, which led a broad coalition of Indian Tribes, environmental groups, local governments and individuals in opposition of building what would have been the largest coal export terminal ever constructed in North America in northern Puget Sound – posing a tremendous threat to the health of people, water and air quality, and to wildlife habitat.
The Green Globe Awards are presented every two years. Recipients of 2017 Green Globe Awards
Doug McClelland: Leader in Open Space Conservation
A founding member of the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and with a 37-year career with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, McClelland’s leadership has helped secure a sustainable future for a much-loved landscape that includes many of the most popular trails and conservation lands in Washington.
Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance: Leader in Supporting Rural Sustainability
Since 2010, the SVPA has forged relationships between farmers, residents, and county and state officials. They advocate for creative solutions to shared challenges, on issues central to protecting the Valley, including flooding, development, and water rights. Stakeholders know they can make their voices heard to protect what makes the Valley special – and what it will take to make it even more of a remarkable place.
“We are honored to be counted among an impressive list of organizations recognized at the Green Globe Awards, the County’s highest honor for local environmental efforts, said Cynthia Krass, executive director of the Snoqualmie Valley Preservation Alliance.
Puget Sound Sage: Leader in Climate Justice
This non-profit organization works to improve the lives of all families by building power for shared prosperity in our regional economy. Sage combines research, innovative policy and organizing to advance racial equity, stronger democracy, good jobs, affordable housing, accessible transit and a healthy environment. Sage’s coalition-building approach works to center the communities disproportionately impacted by climate change at the heart of climate resiliency strategies.
OneBothell, Forterra and the city of Bothell: Leader in Land Preservation
These organizations have partnered with King County, to save the 89-acre Wayne Golf Course from development. The property contains nearly a mile of shoreline along the Sammamish River – a migratory corridor critical to restoring chinook salmon to the North Lake Washington basin. Acquiring the Wayne Golf Course is a rare chance to protect important habitat in an urban area, with opportunity to implement large-scale habitat restoration.
REI: Corporate Leader in Community Stewardship
REI is one of the King County Parks’ top corporate partners. REI promotes participation in the County’s parks and trails system to their customers, and uses Parks’ lands for outdoor classes, workshops, volunteer stewardship projects, and employee trainings. The relationship between REI and King County Parks continues to deepen, as the co-op’s new store and future headquarters are located along the Eastside Rail Corridor in Bellevue, where King County is planning a regional trail.
King County Housing Authority: Leader in Sustainable Business Practices
Guided by its five-year sustainability plan, the Authority is reducing energy and water consumption, diverting materials from the waste stream and using environmentally responsible maintenance and landscaping practices. The authority provides rental housing and rental assistance to more than 18,000 families, serving people with low and moderate incomes throughout the county.
NW EcoBuilding Guild: Leader in Sustainable Building
The Northwest EcoBuilding Guild is committed to engaging in the cooperative and balanced creation of an ecologically sustainable built environment. Its members work to encourage building practices that reduce carbon emissions, are self-sustaining, contribute to economic development, and strive to create optimal conditions for human health and community.
LightRecycle Washington: Leader in Product Stewardship
LightRecycle Washington is a statewide product stewardship program for mercury-containing lights.
Just Health Action: Leader in Air Quality Solutions
Just Health Action led a partnership to address the air pollution in Georgetown.
Cascade Middle School Drug and Alcohol Prevention Team: Leader in Community Stewardship
Cascade Middle School’s Drug and Alcohol Prevention Team is taking ownership of its White Center community, investing time and energy into activities that promote health, service, and social justice. In response to past students’ concerns about cleanliness, safety, and substance use in neighboring Dick Thurnau Memorial Park, student team members help restore the park by providing monthly service at the park – pulling weeds, planting new greenery, and picking up litter.
Northwest Biosolids: Leader in Supporting Waste to Resources
Since 1993, Northwest Biosolids has provided leadership, guidance and coordination in emphasizing the beneficial use of biosolids through the wastewater treatment process. Thanks to Northwest Biosolids’ support, 88 percent of the biosolids in the Pacific Northwest are recycled as a fertilizer and soil conditioner, compared to 60 percent nationally. Northwest Biosolids provides a voice for biosolids and biosolids managers, funds biosolids research, and is a strong advocate for sustainable reuse of wastewater products, as well as sustainable agriculture.
Puget Sound Energy: Leader in Renewable Energy
Puget Sound Energy is putting their energy into clean power solutions to help their customers and the environment. PSE is a nationally recognized leader in renewable energy, and is America’s second-largest utility owner of wind energy – with enough capacity to meet the needs of nearly 200,000 homes.
