Duwamish Alive! Celebrating the Return of Our Salmon

Autumn colors as leaves turn, pumpkins ripening and our glorious salmon are returning from their long journey from the ocean to spawn, giving life to the next generation of salmon.  Joined us in celebrating Seattle and Tukwila’s only RIVER, the Duwamish, as we help care for its special salmon and all the wildlife within this watershed.

We will be working at multiple sites: on the river removing debris, caring for salmon habitat and our upland forests in an effort to improve native habitat health and water quality not only for our salmon and orca but all wildlife and communities within the Duwamish Watershed.

Our forested areas such as the West Duwamish Greenbelt, one of the largest in the lower section of the river, provides important air and water filtration of pollution, especially storm runoff one of the major sources polluting our waters. Tree canopy cover also reduces our summer heat domes, unequally affecting low income, communities of color to a greater degree. Duwamish Alive Coalition continues to nurture and expand tree canopy within our local communities which suffer the effects of pollution and heat domes.

The Duwamish River ecosystem supports 5 salmon species including the threatened Chinook salmon which is a critical food source for our Southern Resident Orcas; along with wildlife that includes river otters, beavers, bald eagles, and blue herons. Each of our habitat sites supports this web of life while providing important environmental benefits to our communities.

We are honored to help steward these lands and waters that are the ancestral home of the Duwamish Peoples.

Join our Duwamish Alive! celebration with these volunteer opportunities:

Duwamish Hill Preserve, Tukwila    Green Tukwila Partnership

Duwamish Hill is a sacred site of the Duwamish Tribe, we are honored to help in stewarding this special area by planting native plants in the forest and creation of a new pollinator meadow.  Efforts also include removing invasive plants, soil improvement and mulching.  Also included are special speakers.

Northwind’s Weir, Tukwila Seattle City Light

Located along the river, at the north end of Cecil Moses Park, this site helps connect the efforts of restoring an important section of the salmon transition zone, and also developing a pollinator corridor.  For information and volunteer registration contact info@duwamishalive.org

We are honored to help in stewarding this sacred place of the Duwamish Tribe, which is referred to in their Epic of the Winds story.

t̓uʔəlaltxʷ Village Park and Shoreline Habitat, Seattle Port of Seattle  

This is the original location of the Herrings House Longhouse of the Duwamish Peoples and now is one of the few salmon habitats in the lower portion of the river, providing food and shelter for juvenile salmon as they enter Elliot Bay. Volunteers have steward this area creating habitat which supports these young fish on their journey to Puget Sound.  Volunteers will be removing invasive plants and replacing them with native plants.  This lovely small park is tucked away amongst the river’s maritime industries along the river.

Duwamish Greenbelt at Pigeon Pt , Seattle   Delridge Neighborhood Development  Association   

Upland forests are important part of the river’s ecosystem, providing many benefits to the watershed and communities.  This part of the Greenbelt is also used as an outdoor classroom for local schools.  Volunteers will be planting native plants, removing invasive plants and mulching.

həʔapus Village Park and Shoreline Habitat, Seattle    Port of Seattle & DIRT Corps 

This is a sacred site of the Duwamish Tribe, being an ancestral location of one of the tribe’s Longhouses and located across the street from the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center. We are honored to help in stewarding this special area by planting native plants, removing invasive plants to create a healthy habitat along the river. Also included are special speakers and tabling offering information about the river, its wildlife and efforts to improve its health.

Duwamish River Kayak Cleanup, Seattle      Puget Soundkeeper Alliance & Heron’s Nest Outdoor Education Center’s  River  Access Program

Experience the river in kayaks while removing debris from the river before it enters Puget Sound.   This is a great time to be on the river with the salmon returning. This is a very popular event activity which fills fast!  Kayaks, equipment and instruction provided.  Must be 12 years and older.  Also included are special speakers and tabling offering information about the river, its wildlife and efforts to improve its health.

Herrings House Park, Seattle     Green Seattle Partnership/Seattle Parks  

Herrings House Park adjoins həʔapus Village Park along the river and provides one of  the largest salmon habitats in the lower part of the river.  This critical area for the juvenile salmon provides them a safe place to rest and forage for food before they enter Puget Sound.  Volunteers will be planting native plants, mulching and removing invasive plants. Also included are special speakers and tabling offering information about the river, its wildlife and efforts to improve its health.

Please check back for additional event information and registration.