Heat and smoke events in our region are increasing year over year, with more days of diminished air quality and extreme heat above 85 degrees than ever previously recorded. Communities that have been impacted by redlining see higher rates of asthma and other health conditions, with a 13-year lower life expectancy than residents in other areas. Climate changes, including more frequent and intense storms and more extreme flooding events, can increase stormwater runoff.  An increase in stormwater runoff can exacerbate existing, or introduce new, pollution problems. These increasing threats are compounded by the fact that sea level rise in Seattle is anticipated at 10 inches by 2050.

Climate solutions need to be sought at every level of society: by individuals, communities, government agencies, and more. While these tasks can seem daunting at times, the actions we take on an individual and community level are important. Seattle Parks Foundation is uniquely positioned to connect grassroots neighborhood-based efforts to city-wide climate and environmental justice efforts.

Some current examples of nature-based climate solutions include:

• Increasing Seattle’s tree canopy, particularly in communities of color where there is inequitable distribution of tree canopy.
• Advocating to ensure all our community centers become climate resilience centers with appropriate technology to support residents in extreme weather events.
• Identifying stormwater restoration projects and working with community to add more natural systems filtration to public spaces.
• Addressing local urban food system security by supporting garden and urban farm projects.

Each of the projects below focuses on the work of nature-based climate solutions in different ways. Click to learn more about them.