Forterra has rewarded SeaTac’s Partner in Employment (PIE) $25,000 to support its Youth Restoration Training Crew, a paid training program to support career journeys to the environmental field for immigrant and refugee youth living in King County.

“Partner in Employment (PIE) extends gratitude for being awarded the $25,000 Community Restoration Grant. This grant will fund the Fall 2024 Cohort of our Youth Restoration Training Crew,” said Emilene Castillo, Environmental Program Manager for PIE.  “Our commitment is to persistently overcome obstacles and uplift the immigrant and refugee community in King County. PIE takes pride in actively contributing to the local community and their environmental well-being through restoration. Thank you to Forterra and the One Square Fund!”

PIE’s Restoration Training Crew works in South King County Parks where they learn restoration techniques and job skills and benefit from environmental education. PIE’s next Training Crew cohort begins February 13, and Forterra’s Community Restoration Grant will fund the fall cohort.

“Partner in Employment is removing historical barriers and opening access to a variety of environmental careers, said Michelle Connor, Forterra President and CEO. Historically, environmental and restoration training has been unpaid or under-paid making it inaccessible to many. PIE’s on-the-ground approach removes barriers providing hands-on, paid training. Forterra is proud to support PIE’s work with a Community Restoration Grant.”

Forterra’s new Community Restoration Grants program focuses on restoring land in urban and suburban areas, promoting native plant diversity and engaging the community in local environmental issues. Forterra sees firsthand the urgent need to protect lands that improve quality of life and engage local communities to improve our region’s resiliency against climate change. Through Community Restoration Grants to organizations like PIE, together we can take local action to combat the global challenge of climate change.

Grant applications open March 1 for the next round of funding.