CH2M HILL has 165 offices around the world, but the full-service engineering and construction firm got its start in Oregon in 1946 as an innovative designer of water treatment plants along the Willamette River where, today, more than 70 percent of the state's population lives and depends upon it for sustaining our environment, community, and economy. So we take sustainability concepts very seriously.

"We may be a global company but we were founded in Oregon," said John Willis, area manager at CH2M HILL's Portland office-the largest outside its corporate headquarters. "Our first business model was based on sustainability as it related to water and our business has grown up around that."

That's why CH2M HILL teamed with Oregon's cities of Albany and Millersburg and local industries to develop $60 million in wastewater improvements-including the planned development of up to 160 acres of integrated wetlands restoration and enhancement designed to improve Willamette River water quality and restore wildlife habitat. The project is one of many value-added, context-sensitive solutions that CH2M HILL has developed to create innovative yet practical answers to challenges in our region-and around the world.

"Portland is recognized globally as a sustainable city. With 19,000 employees around the world, our Portland and Pacific Northwest offices are viewed as leaders in sustainable practices, and we want to export that knowledge and capability globally," Willis said.

CH2M HILL's 700 regional employees also endorse sound sustainability principles. CH2M HILL promotes teleworking and employee use of alternative transportation to reduce contributions to greenhouse gases generated by daily commutes. CH2M HILL also promotes recycling of electronic products, reduction of paper use, and green travel and lifestyle alternatives for its employees.

"We reflect the coupling of wise environmental stewardship and good business sense. Ultimately, it's up to each of us to take an active part in making our company a model of sustainability," Willis says.

"The bottom line is simple," he adds. "As employee-owners of a firm whose success is built on blending a healthy environment with vibrant communities, we practice sustainability in all we do. It starts in the office with our employees and it transcends the work we perform for our clients."