Revitalizing Green Lake Park’s Shoreline

Green Lake is a hotspot for locals to get their dose of nature in Seattle. It’s a beautiful green space for skating, running, dog walking, and more.  

It's also full of biodiversity, which our team has been revitalizing by planting and watering native plants along the shoreline. Through these actions, we’re establishing a healthier and more resilient ecosystem at Green Lake. 

A Great Blue Heron wading in Green Lake.

Planting Keystone Flora Along the Shoreline

In February, we planted around 900 native plants along the shoreline. These included native trees, flowering plants, and fruit bearing plants. Restoring the landscape by bringing back keystone flora species is critical to ecological restoration. 

Some keystone flora species we planted include:

• Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea, kwikwəxwicac)

• Salal (Gaultheria shallon, t̕aqaʔac)

• Orange honeysuckle (Lonicera involucrata)

• Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium, qwəbqwəbčac)

• Salmon Berry (Rubus spectabilis, stəgwəd)
  

A flagged Oregon Grape with its shiny, spine-tipped edges.

These keystone plants provide food and habitat for many PNW species. A keystone species fulfills a critical role in its ecosystem. For example, according to the Washington Native Plant Society, at least 116 caterpillar species and four pollen specialist bee species use dogwoods as a host plant. A host plant is a plant species that provides resources for an organism such as a place to lay their eggs on and feed during development. 

Ensuring Native Plant Health and Survival

We've returned to Green Lake throughout the summer to maintain the new plants. This includes regularly watering, weeding, and monitoring for pests and diseases to ensure survival during this critical first year. 

The first few years of a plant’s life are known as the “establishment period” and it’s when newly planted flora are most vulnerable to stress from transplant shock and new environmental conditions. As a result, they require extra care to adapt to their new habitat.

Providing this initial care is essential for restoration success. Once new plants are established, they don’t require much maintenance. Healthy native plants mean a healthier ecosystem, supporting many species. Our role is to start things off and let nature do the rest.

The Value of Native Green Spaces in Urban Areas

Our team member, Conner, with a female Red-winged Blackbird perched on his hand.

This phase of restoration is particularly rewarding because it’s about nurturing new life leading to a self-sustaining urban green space. Urban green spaces are critical for our mental health and biodiversity, providing essential ecosystem services. 

It’s evident that Green Lake is loved by many, serving as a beautiful space for recreational activities and to connect with nature. Preserving and restoring green spaces (big and small) is essential for the well-being of humans and wildlife. 

Is there a habitat you’d like to restore? Send us an email or call us at 1-206-459-0586 to get started!