Biodiversity Northwest formed in 1993 as Pacific Crest Biodiversity Project and closed up shop in 2005. The organization’s mission was to protect old-growth forests and restore forest ecosystems in the Northwest and inspire citizen action. Protecting old growth and wildlife in the Cedar River Watershed, the major water supply for the city of Seattle, was one of their most important campaigns. Biodiversity Northwest was also successful on an initiative promoting watershed restoration as an employment boost for rural communities and as a way to restore damaged forests.

The work of Biodiversity Northwest gained permanent protection for old growth, clean water, and northern spotted owls in the Cedar River Watershed.

Conservation Northwest originally worked with Biodiversity Northwest on an issue close to both organizations’ hearts—working to stop the logging of old growth on federal lands. Conservation Northwest and Biodiversity Northwest, together with other organizations, collaborated closely to form the Old Growth Forest Campaign, and in 2003, Biodiversity Northwest merged most of their programs with Conservation Northwest. Some of our great past and present staffers also came our way from Biodiversity Northwest, including Jasmine Minbashian (past executive director of Biodiversity Northwest and current communications director of Conservation Northwest), Pete Nelson, Demis Foster, and Dave Atcheson.