The third year of the Washington Coast Works initiative kicked off March 21 with Community Conversations led by past Coast Works winners and participants.

Community Conversations were held in Aberdeen on March 21 and will be held in Forks on March 23 at Peninsula College from 4:30-7:30 p.m., and Port Angeles, March 25, to envision what sustainable well-being means in their communities and to identify projects or activities that could help bring it about. These conversations will continue throughout the year and participants will be invited to a year-end summit to share projects and ideas.

Last year’s Coast Works winner, Jessica Ellis, won $10,000 to expand Freedom Acres, a dog boarding business that uses salvaged materials, solar power and all natural supplies for its K9 lodge and K9 kennels. In 2015, Emily Foster, a Quileute tribal member from Forks, won $10,000 for equipment and supplies to launch Lonzo’s Seafood Company, offering smoked Quileute-caught fresh salmon.

“Jessica is leading sustainability through her business,and Emily is building a business that will encourage responsible use of our natural resources,” says Eric Delvin, Emerald Edge director for The Nature Conservancy, one of the organizations leading the Coast Works initiative.

The goal of the Coast Works initiative is to catalyze small and locally owned triple bottom line businesses that generate profit by contributing to conservation of local natural resources and that will lead a network of community conversations focused on building sustainable community well-being in rural communities on the Washington coast.

“Local businesses promoting sustainability and making sustainable use of local natural resources are an essential part of the foundation for durable conservation and long-term well-being in our rural communities on the coast,” adds Delvin.

Folks interested in learning more about the Coast Works initiative are encouraged to participate in the upcoming Community Conversations. More information is available at www.wacoastworks.org.