BECU Leads Volunteer Efforts for Earth Day

Each April, Earth Day celebrations serve as an important reminder of the impact people have on the planet. By helping raise awareness for issues such as pollution, climate change and endangered species, the annual recognition encourages support for the protection and preservation of the natural environment for current and future generations.

For many, Earth Day is also a time for action. This year, throughout March and April, BECU employees volunteered for environmental clean-up and restoration efforts, partnering with local organizations for events from Tukwila to Spokane, Washington.

"The month is a wake-up call to get back out and get to work — not only restoring but enjoying the outdoors," said Andrew G., BECU enterprise risk management program manager and community engagement lead of the credit union's Environmental Sustainability employee resource group. "It's a great gateway for individuals who haven't spent much time doing restoration or outdoor projects to participate and learn about how important the work is — and how much fun it can be."

Digging In

That important — and fun — work begins in BECU's own backyard.

To help achieve a cleaner local environment, credit union employees have dedicated time and energy to restoring the banks of the Duwamish River.

Located just behind BECU's main headquarters in Tukwila, it was once an area overgrown with invasive plants, like Himalayan blackberry and English ivy. Through consistent upkeep, the setting now welcomes native vegetation that helps provide a natural habitat for wildlife.

"Clean up and restoration efforts are one impactful way we can help to sustain the safety and increase prosperity of that wildlife," said Becky S., BECU senior compliance auditor and networking and social lead of the Environmental Sustainability employee resource group. "Removing trash, debris and invasive species helps to keep the water clean. Planting native plants along the shore prevents runoff of pollutants into the river and contributes to enriching the soil."

BECU employees helped kickstart the Duwamish River efforts roughly 15 years ago. Members of BECU's Environmental Sustainability employee resource group recently reignited the work alongside partner organization Green Tukwila.

Olena P. city of Tukwila stewardship coordinator for the Green Tukwila Partnership, explained how the work in Tukwila benefits the region: "Urban forests provide ecosystem services, and tall native trees shade the water and land to stop the heat zone. A healthy green space cleans the air and buffers noise for wildlife and residents," Olena said.

"BECU is an example of an organization with passionate people coming together and choosing to have clean air and water for all," Olena added. "The shoreline outside of the BECU campus is one of the healthiest shorelines in Tukwila."

Preserving What Matters

Today, the public open space includes an outdoor classroom for educational activities, a cultural garden and enhanced trail system with clean up and restoration opportunities for volunteers — like employees from BECU who spent half a day clearing the area of invasive species.

"I hope every volunteer leaves knowing they are making a direct contribution to increasing the health of this area," Becky said.

Supporting Green Goals

Volunteer efforts like the ones in Tukwila and others with BECU employees in Spokane are just part of the credit union's approach to promoting a clean environment.

This year, BECU also broke ground on a pollinator garden at its primary campus. Meant to attract and support butterflies, bees and hummingbirds, the garden will help further maintain the ecosystem along the Duwamish River.  

"Creating a pollinator garden with native plants is one small, easy way to directly benefit the dwindling pollinator population," Becky said. "The garden will consist mostly of native plants because they use less water and are acclimated to the growing season, climate and soil in our area. They also provide nectar and pollen that our local pollinators are accustomed to."

BECU's sustainability efforts also include shred events. In 2024, these events kept over 200,000 pounds of paper, 51,300 pounds of electronics and 14,000 household items out of the waste stream. 

With its Green Equity Initiative Grants, the credit union continued partnerships with seven local nonprofits to sustain their efforts in renewable energy, waste reduction and green workforce development.

Broader community efforts include partnering with local auto dealers to host an electric vehicle test drive, sponsoring GetGreen's Go Green or Go Home contest at the University of Washington, and donating to environmental nonprofits in Washington state, including Great Peninsula Conservancy and Environmental Science Center.

"The more we do to help, the easier time nature has keeping everything in balance," Andrew said.

How To Get Involved

There are steps individuals and communities can take to help create and sustain a cleaner environment. 

"It's as easy as picking up a piece of trash on a walk," Andrew said. "You can organize or participate in restoration efforts. You can be conscious of your consumption and the amount of waste created. Recycling and composting. And — all important in our democracy — vote!"

But, Andrew acknowledged, preserving and protecting the environment requires ongoing commitment: "Due to the nature of pollution, trash and invasive species, the work is never truly done."

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