Executive Director Note

January Executive Director’s Note: Our duty to our neighbors

I had a lot of ideas for what I might write about this month. This week I’m traveling through the central part of our state, meeting with inspiring community leaders, elected officials, planners, farmers, and affordable housing providers. I hope … Continue reading

Futurewise Then & Now – Steward of the Growth Management Act

Last year Futurewise celebrated a big milestone – for 35 years (and counting) we have been advocating for smart land use, shaping legislation, and helping communities across Washington create comprehensive plans that reflect their values. When we hit our 30-year … Continue reading

Futurewise’s 2025 Impact Report

Futurewise 2025 Impact Report In the spring of 2009 I was living in California, finishing my master’s degree in city planning. In between studying for exams, I was reading about a legislative fight back home in Washington State to set … Continue reading

October Executive Director’s Note: The Importance of Working Statewide

Futurewise works all across Washington State, and it’s really important to me that we uphold this aspect of our mission. But as a small organization that can be challenging, so we try to find focus areas that reflect the diversity … Continue reading

June Executive Director’s Note: Reflections from Welcoming Neighbors Network Mountain West Convening

Earlier this month, Futurewise staff headed to Spokane for a two-day convening with our Mountain West colleagues in the Welcoming Neighbors Network, a national network of pro-homes organizations working to increase housing choices in our communities. What a fantastic opportunity … Continue reading

Celebrating the Livable Communities Awards & 35 Years of Futurewise

At our 2025 Annual Spring Celebration, we recognized municipalities and elected officials who are leading the charge on making our neighborhoods more connected, affordable, and climate-friendly. Continue reading

March Executive Director’s Note: Seattle’s Housing Abundance Success Story

A series of new high–profile books (and articles, lectures, conferences, networks, etc) propose a new framework of abundance and call out the failures of governance in cities and states led by Democrats, with a particular focus on housing. It’s a … Continue reading

August 2024 Executive Director’s Note

Summer is coming to an end, and fittingly, I just spent several beautiful rain splashed days on the Olympic Peninsula. Susannah Spock, our Water Fish and Wildlife Program Manager, is based in Port Angeles and we have several exciting new … Continue reading

July 2024 Director of External Affairs Note: Stehekin Dispatch

Earlier this summer, I had the joy and privilege of backpacking the Lake Chelan Lakeshore trail. The days were unseasonably hot and dry, making our afternoon dips in the freezing lake water even more refreshing. The perfect start to the … Continue reading

June Executive Director Note: Dispatch from Spokane

One of my favorite things about Futurewise is that we work all over the state. I get to travel the state and learn about local issues from staff and community members doing amazing work. I got to spend this last … Continue reading