Framework for the Future

For almost 30 years, Futurewise has worked to prevent poorly planned sprawl, to protect our State’s resources and to make our urban areas livable for and available to all. Founded to help support implementation of Washington’s innovative Growth Management Act, we focus on preventing the conversion of wildlife habitat, open space, farmland, and working forests to subdivisions and development, while directing most growth into our urbanized areas. Our mission also incorporates an important focus on livability, housing, transportation, social justice, environmental justice and environmental quality in our urbanized areas.

We do this work through a combination of expert data analysis and research, visionary community and environmental planning and policy development, community engagement and outreach, grassroots organizing and advocacy, legislative initiatives, and litigation (as a last choice, when necessary), all through strategic collaboration with businesses, local, state and federal government, and community and non-profit partners.

Over the next twenty years, our state will face an over 25% increase in population. This growth will place more pressure on limited land, strain our shorelines, rivers and streams, exacerbate economic, health and equity challenges, and increase impacts of climate change. If we approach this growth collaboratively and with foresight, our environment, our economy and our communities will thrive.

At Futurewise, we are keeping our eye on a long-term agenda of creating sustainable, equitable communities and protecting our state’s most critical natural resources. We don’t underestimate the work ahead, nor are we intimidated by how long it will take or how difficult it will be to accomplish. We will continue to work in every corner of the state to: