Mountains to Sound: Puyallup Watershed Trails Vision


Year Complete: 2016
Grant Amount: $75,000
Local Government: City of Tacoma, WA
Local Foundation: The Russell Family Foundation

Project Purpose

To increase active transportation use through infrastructure development and education, providing equitable access to sustainable transportation and improving the health of people, environment, economy, and communities.

Key Lessons Learned

Lessons learned about tools and tactics through the project that other sustainability directors could use to advance their work.

  • Tell the story and identify the needs.
  • Take advantage of local expertise.
  • Investing in people builds buy-in.

Lessons for developing a collaborative process between a local government sustainability director and local place-based foundation(s).

A local government Sustainability Director needs a broad coalition of engaged and effective community activists to advocate for sustainability issues.  Neither is equipped to create lasting positive change on their own. The project team’s local foundation realized the need for this symbiotic relationship. By working together and building individual and organizational strengths over many years, the project team improved active transportation infrastructure and support throughout the City and County.

Additional Information and Resources

Read more about the Russell Family Foundation’s ongoing partnership with the Puyallup Watershed Initiative here.