Program on the Environment

As human activities increase every year, the threat to forest lives deteriorates and without serious intervention, 70% of our forests could be lost in 20 years. The aim of this study was to determine the best approaches for engaging local communities in forest restoration efforts. To achieve this, I completed an internship with Green Seattle Partnership. During my internship with GSP, I conducted an inventory of the park to determine which areas needed more help from previous works. There are three phases of work that need to be done for certain areas. Phase one, inventory of both the native species plants and the nonnative species plants to determine the coverage affected to create a healthy forest. Phase two, removing aggressive plants for native plants to be planted in. And lastly, Phase three, planting native plants that will survive. With no access to water, Thorndyke park needed as many volunteers as possible to help with phases two and three. To help the community grow, I created and advertised a Facebook community to spread the cause of the project. I hosted events where volunteers would come to help plant and remove invasive species. With the increase of the community, we were able to plant around 100 native plants that will grow and help keep the park alive and healthy. Healthy forested parks provide us with clean air and clean water. We need trees now more than ever to absorb carbon and combat climate change, and it all begins with you and me.