Program on the Environment

Urban wetlands provide critical ecosystem services, including water filtration, flood mitigation, and habitat for diverse species. However, these systems experience ongoing degradation due to the spread of invasive weeds and broader anthropogenic activity that facilitates their spread. In the Puget Sound region, more than half of historic wetlands have been lost, and many remaining sites, including Myers Way Wetland face ecological and social challenges. This study addresses the research question: To what extent does removal of invasive plant species and reintroduction of native vegetation improve ecosystem health in urban wetlands, and what social and environmental barriers limit the success of these restoration efforts? My research draws on internship observations with the Weed Warriors Nature Stewards Program, where I led restoration activities at the 1.58-acre wetland. Data collection included synthesizing volunteer participation, documenting shifts in plant composition, and compiling a site-specific species identification guide. Supplemented by ecological literature and restoration practitioner insights. Findings show that invasive weeds disrupt biodiversity, soil conditions, and hydrological function, while their removal and reintroduction of native plants improve habitat complexity and resilience. Moreover, restoration outcomes are constrained by ecological and social limitations, including rapid invasive regrowth, pollution, illegal dumping, and physical damage, along with inconsistent volunteer engagement. These interacting factors suggest that restoring native plant communities alone is insufficient to sustain urban wetland health; long-term success requires continued maintenance, community involvement, and integrated multisectoral strategies addressing ecological processes and human behavior, which can enhance ecosystem services and resilience across the Puget Sound region.