Duwamish Hill Preserve Nursery, 3800 S. 115th St., Tukwila, WA 98168
Owned by Seattle City Light
The Duwamish Hill Preserve Nursery is adjacent to the Duwamish Hill Preserve, a 10.5 acre parcel of historical, cultural and ecological significant land in Tukwila; serving as an outdoor classroom for students, a gathering place for restoration volunteers, a culturally significant location for Native Americans. The Preserve is managed as a public open space preserve dedicated to the conservation and enhancement of its rich Native American cultural history, ecological importance and community impact.
The Preserve’s unique ecosystem within the Duwamish Watershed hosts many rare species of flora and fauna. To aid in the restoration of the Preserve’s natural habitat, in a joint effort with Seattle City Light and Forterra, volunteers are now beginning to propagate these rare plant species in the newly created Duwamish native plant nursery adjacent to the Duwamish Hill Preserve. These plants will support the habitat needs of the many creatures living in this unique area while reflecting the historical fauna. Plants are grown from seed gathered from native plants which were common to this area but have been crowded out from invasive plants and development.
Due to its elevated position above the Duwamish River, the Hill offered a vantage point from which Native Americans could watch for incoming groups and communicate with fellow tribe members along the Duwamish River Valley. Additionally, the Hill is associated with the southern Puget Sound Salish oral tradition as the key location in the stories collectively known as the “Epic of the Winds” as the location of Chinook Wind’s mother’s home:
The hill from which the preserve gets its name is a glacial remnant and within the preserve many species of flora and fauna that are rarely seen along the banks of the Duwamish River can be found.
Nicole Marcotte, Forterra
Phone: 206-905-6909
Email: nmarcotte@forterra.org
