2021

Sounders FC teams up with RAVE Foundation, EarthGen and Delta Air Lines to address environmental justice in local communities

2021 POP Earth Day

At Sounders FC, we are committed to protecting our planet. As the first carbon neutral professional soccer team in North America and the first carbon neutral pro sports team in the United States, we commit to measuring, offsetting, and reducing our footprint every year. We collaborate with partners to educate youth in our region about environmental justice and empower them to be part of the effort to improve health outcomes in their communities.



Together with RAVE Foundation and EarthGen, we celebrated Earth Day by working to improve community health outcomes for King County youth furthest from environmental justice.


Meredith Lohr, Executive Director of EarthGen, describes the concept of environmental justice, saying, “The idea of climate and environmental justice is that right now, because of historic and current racism in our country, people are disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change, and they lack access to clean air, clean water, green spaces and a healthy environment. That, unfortunately, is very tied to race. In this country, it is people of color who are suffering the most because of environmental pollution and climate change.”


We teamed up with EarthGen to help restore justice in two school communities by transforming their campuses into greener, healthier spaces for students and the neighborhoods they inhabit.


Seahurst and Hilltop Elementary Schools, both part of Highline Public Schools, are racially and culturally diverse and serve a high population of low income students. The campuses function as community “park” spaces for local families, as some of the only green spaces in the area. Terry Holtgraves, Seahurst Elementary School Principal, puts it this way: “If you come here on a Friday night or a Saturday morning, you’re going to see lots of cars, because the kids needed a place to play. They’ll be on their tricycles, playing basketball…”


The spaces were lacking. At Seahurst Elementary, a coarse gravel field dominated the play yard. At Hilltop Elementary, the poor drainage system and heavy Seattle rains created a giant puddle which was not conducive to play.


Holtgraves said of Seahurst, “The campus really did lack the opportunity for our families and our kids that we really needed.  If you could show a before and after of this field, it was a big square of sand that flooded.”

Sounders FC teams up with RAVE Foundation, EarthGen and Delta Air Lines to address environmental justice in local communities -
Sounders FC teams up with RAVE Foundation, EarthGen and Delta Air Lines to address environmental justice in local communities -

On April 23 and 30, over 100 volunteers from EarthGen, Sounders FC and Delta came together to bring the community’s visions to life, turning the spaces into inspiring spaces for play.


With plans rooted in student and community input, the spaces now include intentionally placed adventure playgrounds, outdoor classrooms, and rain gardens. The rain gardens are a key piece of the designs. In the case of Seahurst, they provide a stormwater management system supporting the additional investment of a soccer mini-pitch by RAVE Foundation and Delta Air Lines. “The mini-pitch will drain, in the rainy season, right into a rain garden here that EarthGen is installing, which will filter the water before it moves to Puget Sound,” said Ashley Fosberg, Executive Director of RAVE Foundation. “The mini-pitch at Seahurst is only possible because of EarthGen’s investment.”

Sounders FC teams up with RAVE Foundation, EarthGen and Delta Air Lines to address environmental justice in local communities -

Lohr summed it up beautifully, saying, “It’s all about coming out here in community, rolling up our sleeves, digging in the soil, planting plants, and really seeing what the power of community can do to make a change.”

2026 Season Membership Deposits

2026 Season Membership Deposits

Feel the pull of the Sound and step into something bigger. 2026 will continue to put Seattle soccer on the world stage, so there's no better time to join the Rave Green and grow with the Sounders legacy. Secure your seat alongside the best fans in MLS.

Two Tickets & Two Beers (vs. Portland Timbers)

Two Tickets & Two Beers (vs. Portland Timbers)

Come out to Lumen Field to watch your Seattle Sounders take on Portland with this special ticket offer sponsored by Michelob Ultra. For just $40 + Taxes & Fees, get two tickets & two beers for the match. For 21+ fans only and drinks must be picked up in the North Plaza 21+ beer garden prior to kickoff.

Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. PT on October 4.

Match & Merch Bundle (vs. Portland Timbers)

Match & Merch Bundle (vs. Portland Timbers)

Add a limited-edition Cascadia Rivalry t-shirt to your ticket to the Portland Timbers match. Matchday pick up info will be communicated prior to the match via email.

Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. PT on October 4.