Program on the Environment

Rapid urbanization is causing the health of ecosystems to deteriorate, and with the human population expected to grow in the coming years, solutions to this environmental deterioration are required. Doing restoration work is often seen as a benevolent act used to restore ecosystems that have been and continue to be degraded, especially due to anthropogenic factors such as deforestation and land-use change. While this work is necessary, it is essential to remain critical of its pitfalls and the ways in which restoration work can be improved upon. This project aims to find ways to improve restoration work and integrate more equitable practices, such as including more people of color. Through online surveys given to park stewards, a restoration plan and proposal, and hands-on restoration work with the City of Sammamish Parks and Recreation, the project will add to the body of knowledge surrounding restoration and make it more inclusive. With that information, I found that volunteers believe the best way to improve equity in the restoration field would be to reach out to ethnic-owned businesses and advertise events in multiple languages. Doing this will also aid in the process of including environmental justice in restoration work, allowing the City of Sammamish Parks and Recreation to gain more support for its restoration work and encourage community participation in its efforts.