By Todd Burley
Across the planet, cities are stepping up to the plate to incorporate nature into their communities, recognizing the value that green spaces in cities have for broader biodiversity, climate, and health goals. Through such efforts as ICLEI’s CitiesWithNature and Journeys for Life, the C40 Cities Urban Nature Accelerator, and UNEP’s Generation Restoration, Seattle is at active part of this movement.
Cities are where the majority of people live (and will live), making them one of the best places for people to connect to nature. Residents in urban areas benefit from nature – research shows that we are healthier, smarter, and more socially connected when we have access to nearby nature. Nature in cities also expands habitat for non-human neighbors, bolstering biodiversity and providing important connectivity to larger ecosystems in the region and world. In short, nature in cities supports people and the environment.
In Seattle we live up to our name of the Emerald City. Nearly 12% of our city is preserved in parks (over 6,400 acres) and 99% of residents live within a 10-minute walk to a park. Despite being just 5% of the city’s total land base, natural areas managed by Seattle Parks and Recreation are responsible for 14% of the city’s canopy cover. We are busy planting future canopy in developed parks and natural areas, supported by the Green Seattle Partnership and our Urban Forestry team. Salmon spawn in our urban creeks and migrating birds continue to return to our area each year.
Seattle Parks and Recreation centers a Thriving Environment as one of our core values, and supporting nature in our city is a key part of this priority. The Green Seattle Partnership continues to restore our urban forest ecosystems while engaging community. We strictly limit the use of pesticides and work to remove noxious weeds while also planting native species throughout our system. We steward osprey nesting platforms, live alongside beavers, restore wetland ecosystems, plant pollinator gardens, and have restored coastal shorelines. With such diverse nature in our city, there are many ways SPR supports nature.
While Seattle is often seen as a leader in urban nature efforts, we are continuing to learn from other cities, nationally and internationally. Ideas such as urban creek and ravine restoration, green habitat corridors, coastal restoration efforts, expansion of green stormwater infrastructure, turf conversions for pollinator habitat, and targeted species preservation efforts all offer opportunities to continue this important work. We know nature in cities is critical to people, wildlife, and the planet and we are inspired to continue to make Seattle shine like an emerald.