We are proud to announce our new Title Spawnsors for our signature event. The Vital Choice Bellingham Traverse is poised to be bigger and better than ever. Each year, we selectively partner with leading local and regional companies to provide a solid foundation for our event. “Vital Choice is a partnership where our values align across our 3 main objectives of doing business: people~planet~profit (the triple-bottom line business model). We both value health and nutrition; stewardship of our public lands; and investing in our local economy and community,” says Todd Elsworth, Executive Director, Recreation Northwest.
Vital Choice is a trusted source for fast home delivery of the world’s finest wild seafood and organic fare, harvested from healthy, well-managed wild fisheries and farms. They are Whatcom County-based and have been participating with a Traverse Company Team in the Traverse for many years and have also supported as as Silver Spawnsors.
“When Randy (Hartnell, Founder, President & Former Alaska Fisherman) and I talked about our new partnership, he felt very strongly that salmon habitat enhancement be a direct part of his financial support for the event. We agreed that a direct donation of $2,500 to Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association would be the best way to achieve this shared goal,” Elsworth explains.
In addition to the funds that NSEA will receive, Recreation Northwest is also inviting for people to Celebrate Earth Day with NSEA at Hovander Homestead Park this Saturday, April 19th, 2014
9:00 am – 12:00 pm. This is part of our commitment to Stewardship for our community.
To put a personal touch to it, Randy not only runs the company, but participates on the team doing the Trail Run leg as well- #632 in the picture below. The smile on his face and his teammates as they crossed the 2013 Traverse Finish Line shows what we all have in common. We all like to have fun!
Vital Choice 2013 Team – Roe to Win
Vital Choice Bellingham Traverse
The Grand Finale of the Northwest Traverse Series, the Vital Choice Bellingham Traverse is a multi-sport event celebrating the life cycle of wild salmon and the natural and urban challenges of their journey. Solo, tandem and relay teams challenge themselves and one another on a rugged course that highlights the City of Bellingham’s Parks, Greenways System, bike-friendly roads, and open water opportunities for recreation.

Todd Elsworth is one of the many “Mossy-haired lunatics roaming the dripping peninsulas”, described in “I’m Here for the Weather” by Tom Robbins. As executive director, he works to fulfill our mission to teach the health benefits of nature, promote outdoor recreation, and steward the places where we play.