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Seattle's forest restoration work earns UN honor

Christine Clarridge

Four people work among lush green vegetation in a wooded area, bending down to tend plants and clear undergrowth. — Growing something good. Screenshot: Courtesy of United Nations Environment Programme

Seattle's work pulling invasive plants, planting native species and recruiting neighbors to care for public lands has earned some international love.

Why it matters: The United Nations award acknowledges that cities — and not just wilderness areas — have a role to play in restoring damaged ecosystems, per Seattle Parks and Recreation.

Driving the news: Green Seattle Partnership was recently named a World Restoration Flagship by the UN for combining green space restoration with community involvement across the city.

By the numbers: The partnership has planted about 1.5 million native plants, logged 1.5 million volunteer hours and restored more than 2,000 acres of public land over two decades, according to the UN.

Zoom out: Seattle joined the UN's Generation Restoration initiative in 2023 and is now among the first three cities to receive the restoration award, per the city.

Get involved: Seattle Forest Week runs through Sunday with planting and restoration events across the city. No experience is necessary.

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Seattle's forest restoration work earns UN honor

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