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West Duwamish Greenbelt

The West Duwamish Greenbelt is the largest greenbelt in the city and spans 182 acres. It is home to fox, red-legged frogs, hawks, and bald eagles. The greenbelt encompasses the extended forest along the eastern slopes of West Seattle that is visible from I-5.

History

The West Duwamish Greenbelt lies in south Seattle and is the city's largest remaining contiguous forest at approximately 500 acres. Prior to European settlement, it was occupied by the Duwamish. Around the turn of the century, it was logged by Seattle's early settlers. Although historically the area was a conifer forest, presently red alders and big-leaf maples dominate the area.

Stewards gaze in awe at the task at hand during a field trip to explore the site in the West Duwamish Greenbelt for which they would be designing a restoration plan.

Site

The site is bordered on the west, north, and east by a walking trail near the 14th Avenue SW and SW Holly Street entrance to the park. The site exists as an extension of current restoration efforts by The Nature Consortium. The current canopy is mostly deciduous natives and the understory is approximately 100% non-native with Himalayan blackberry dominating.

Site Goals

Decrease the percent cover of invasive species
Increase native canopy diversity and shade out invasive species
Increase native understory diversity

Action Plan

Team meets on site:
- Host volunteers at work parties
- Grub blackberry by hand
- Plant conifers and native shrubs
- Monitor site for success
Host volunteer events:
- Grubbing Work Party
- Potted Plant Planting Work Party
- Bare Root Planting Party
Request Profession Crews:
- Brushcut blackberry from site
- Cut and treat invasive English Hawthorne trees

Work Accomplished

(as of 3/31/08)

Blackberry has been mowed on entire site
Blackberry has been grubbed on 75% of the site
50% of the site has been covered in cardboard and mulch
Invasive English hawthorns have been cut and treated with herbicides
Native plants have been delivered for planting in early January