Forterra Case Study

In 1989, a small group of committed volunteers from the Seattle King County Land Trust established Forterra, a land conservation organization based on their mutually held belief that conservation efforts should embrace the combination of private organizations and public action. Since then, this organization has made significant environmental contributions throughout the state of Washington and continues to promote environmental justice. ForTerraʻs primary vision is to preserve all aspects of the environment, not only designated sections of pristine, undeveloped land. This vision derives from the biological reality that all forms of life are interdependent, and that in order for us humans to thrive, all other living parts of nature must thrive
Although their circumstances were different, the founders of ForTerra also sought to institute changes for the environment that they were a part of, which was one of Riisʻ motivations for his photographic efforts. Another similarity between the efforts of ForTerra and Jacob Riisʻ photographic endeavor is the ability to influence public consciousness. Before Jacob Riis released his images of these impoverished areas in New York, the affluent residents of the city had never seen the poor quality of life that pervaded those areas. These images frightened and shocked their audience, who were compelled to ameliorate the quality of those areas of New York so that the conditions would not penetrate their side of the city. In comparison, ForTerraʻs dedication to advocacy and environmental justice enabled them to gain an influence throughout the community and prompt collective action. The photographs that we service learning students provide for them are intended to persuade the community to contribute to the restoration of their public and natural