About 1000 Friends of Washington

1000 Friends of Washington promotes healthy communities and cities while protecting farmland and forests for this and future generations.

1000 Friends of Washington is the only statewide organization in Washington that brings citizens together to manage growth and stop sprawl. Our work focuses on a strategic set of programs aimed at achieving the changes required to protect Washington's quality of life.

Advocating: Helping decision-makers understand and make the policy changes necessary to manage growth and stop sprawl. 1000 Friends is there when the decisions are made.

1000 Friends' State Policy Program has successfully defended the Growth Management Act for 12 years against almost ceaseless efforts to weaken or repeal it. We also work to pass laws that strengthen land use. In 2002, 1000 Friends passed four bills that would protect farmland and stop sprawl.
1000 Friends' Legal Program is designed to protect our rural lands and communities while setting important precedents for other counties to follow. Because the law does not allow for government enforcement, 1000 Friends' legal actions are often the only thing holding elected officials accountable.
1000 Friends' Field Program has strengthened local growth management around the state. Our intensive organizing and technical assistance have helped win critical victories in Snohomish, Mason, Clallam, Skagit, Kitsap, Chelan and other counties.

Educating: Informing the public about the benefits of managing growth, the costs of sprawl, and what they can do to protect their communities. 1000 Friends captures people's enthusiasm and motivates them to get involved. 1000 Friends' studies and reports have directly educated thousands of people and reached hundred of thousands more through our website, TV, newspaper and radio coverage.

Promoting Livable Communities: 1000 Friends promotes transportation choices and good urban development - two issues that make Washington's communities better places to live. We advocate a balanced approach to transportation projects and encourage new mixed-use infill development located near transit.