For two decades, AAA Washington has partnered with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust to protect and enhance the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area — a 1.5-million-acre landscape stretching from Seattle to Ellensburg. Together, they restore habitats, build and maintain sustainable trails, operate a robust volunteer program, and uplift this ecologically rich and historic corridor.
“Our agency values align with the Greenway’s work to build healthy, inclusive communities,” says Josh Smith, AAA Washington Director of Sales. “We’re proud to support conservation, trail access, and education that help neighbors connect to nature and to each other.”
AAA Washington’s advocacy, funding, and volunteer hours have proven invaluable to the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust. The agency donates thousands of dollars annually and staff volunteers have planted more than 6,000 trees and removed invasive species since the partnership’s inception. In 2025 alone, more than 40 employees contributed over 120 volunteer hours. This support contributed to the recently completed Issaquah Creek Restoration Project, the largest restoration project in both Greenway Trust and Lake Sammamish State Park history. By re-establishing natural river processes and providing safer places for juvenile Chinook and other salmon species to hide, feed, rest, and grow, the project sets the creek on a course to heal itself over time. The success of this effort builds on two decades of steady work along Issaquah Creek’s banks, with vital support coming from thousands of volunteers and numerous partners, including AAA Washington.
A $10,000 Make More Happen Award would expand volunteer recruitment, restore ecological areas that support salmon recovery, extend youth education and green-career pathways, and amplify underrepresented voices within the national heritage area. Vote for AAA Washington and the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust—your support will help protect this special place and connect more people to the outdoors for generations to come.