We are working to restore ecosystem health by expanding our community's natural areas and restoring existing forests in City parks. Between 2016-2022, we acquired more than 5.5 acres of new parkland. Since 2020, we have planted 3,314 native plants and trees in parks, with 1,500 more planned for this fall. As part of the 2022 Park Bond Projects, we are making voter-approved improvements to 8 of our City parks, including planting more plants and incorporating newly acquired parcels to make some parks bigger.

We started Communi-trees, Shoreline's annual tree giveaway and planting program to increase tree canopy on private property. In 2022, we gave away 119 trees to residents. In 2023, we gave away 130 trees to residents, apartment properties, and churches. See where trees have been planted across the City through Communi-trees. 

To figure out how we can best protect and expand Shoreline's urban forest in the future, we completed a 2023 Urban Tree Canopy Assessment and updated our Urban Forest Strategic Plan. Together, with the Climate Action Plan, we are using these findings and plans to inform future investments in our urban forest and ensure that the outcome of our efforts to expand and protect tree canopy are evenly distributed throughout the Shoreline.

We've adopted more sustainable practices into our City maintenance operations. For example, our Grounds Maintenance crew purchased a Foamstream to address hard-to-reach weeds on City property. A Foamstream is an herbicide-free solution fo getting rid of weeds. It uses hot water and a plant-based oil to create a foam that traps in heat to kill the leaves and roots of weeds, disappears within 10 to 20 minutes, and is harmless to people and animals.

We also recently created and adopted a new Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Policy. This policy works to improve upon our efforts to reduce or eliminate pesticides and other toxic chemical use. This reinforces our commitment to use cultural and mechanical means of control for a wide variety of pests such as weeds, insects, and other pathogens.

In 2019, the City of Shoreline was recognized as the first Salmon-Safe Certified City in Washington State. Salmon-Safe Certification recognizes our regional leadership in preventing water pollution and improving the health of the Puget Sound. Learn more about Salmon-Safe and how you can be Salmon-Safe and protect water quality at home and work.

Invest in your community by volunteering with the Green Shoreline Partnership — the combined effort of the City, community volunteers, non-profits, and businesses to create a network of healthy forested parks and natural areas in Shoreline. 

Join an upcoming volunteer event to plant native plants, remove weeds, and help our City parks thrive. No experience is necessary. Tools, gloves, and training are provided! Find an event at a park near you on the Community Calendar and on the Green Shoreline Partnership calendar.

Shoreline residents, schools, churches, and businesses can receive a FREE tree through Communi-trees! Communi-trees is the City’s newest program to grow and maintain trees for a healthy Shoreline.

When you sign up for Communi-trees, you receive one free tree, training on proper tree planting and care, planting supplies, and ongoing care reminders and tips to ensure your tree stays healthy.

Visit the Communi-trees webpage to learn more and sign up for a free tree in the future.

Every time it rains, water picks up and carries pollutants from our roofs, driveways, and lawns, into the nearest storm drain, and finally into local creeks and Puget Sound. During big storms, the amount of rainwater runoff can cause flooding and other hazards. One way to help slow down and clean rainwater runoff is to plant a rain garden!

A rain garden is a planted, shallow depression that acts as a natural filter, slowing and cleaning runoff from roofs, driveways, and other areas that don’t allow water to soak in. Rain gardens can be shaped and sized to fit your yard, and can be landscaped with a variety of native plants to fit the surroundings. The City of Shoreline Surface Water Utility provides rebates of up to $2,000 for you to install a rain garden on your property. Visit the Soak It Up Rebate Program page to learn more.

Native plants are adapted to our climate of wet winters and dry summers and thrive naturally – they require less water, care, and attention than non-natives. They also provide Northwest fish and wildlife with food, shelter, and cover.

The City of Shoreline Surface Water Utility provides rebates of up to $2,000 for landscaping projects that remove hard surfaces, such as pavement or turf grass, and replace it with native plants with deeper root systems and amended soils. This type of landscaping slows down the flow of rainwater runoff, allows for the groundwater to recharge, and filters out pollutants. Visit the Soak It Up Rebate Program page to learn more about native vegetation landscaping rebates.

You can also check out King County’s Native Plant Guide for information on plants native to Western Washington and tips for gardening with native plants.