January 30, 2026 |

Volunteer Events at Tukwila Parks

Looking for a way to get outside this winter and spring and provide a helping hand? Check out the amazing volunteer and education opportunities put on by the Green Tukwila Partnership. 

February Events: 

    • February 10: Restoration at Riverton Park — Celebrate the season of love by caring for your community forest. With Forest Steward Debbie, you’ll plant young native plants that help restore balance under the park’s towering trees. Together, we’ll push back invasive ivy and blackberry and create thriving habitats for birds and wildlife.
    • February 11: Riverside Restoration — Warm up your winter with a riverside work party! Join REI and Steward Chris for ecological restoration along the Green River Trail. Volunteers will clear invasive plants and help establish native species that provide critical shade and habitat for salmon. Your efforts will directly support the health of the Green–Duwamish River ecosystem.
    • February 12: Planting at Cottonwood Corner — Join us this February at Cottonwood Corner with Forest Stewards Heidi and Greta. Together we’ll plant even more native shrubs and bushes to create cleaner water and better habitat along Riverton Creek. Everyone is welcome, no experience needed. Pack a picnic and stay to enjoy this special site after the work party.
    • February 20: Fabulous Forterra Friday — At Duwamish Hill Preserve, a Tukwila park providing critical wildlife habitat and public trails in a fairly industrial area, help restore essential wildlife habitat by removing Himalayan blackberries that threaten our local native trees, shrubs, and groundcover. Established native plants benefit local wildlife, improve water quality, and enhance air quality.
    • February 21: We Love Duwamish Hill — Spend the morning caring for native plants and removing invasive species to help the hillside habitat flourish. Your efforts help keep this special cultural and ecological site healthy and full of life.
    • February 23: Eco-Art Adult Watercolor Workshop — February theme is Conifers in Tukwila. We will be learning about what these trees do for the environment and for people. Olena will then lead a step-by-step watercolor workshop on painting conifers. Hands-on workshops combining environmental education with guided watercolor instruction. Learn about local ecosystems while creating art inspired by Pacific Northwest plants, wildlife, and landscapes. No art experience required.

March Events: 

    • March 10: Restoration at Riverton — The forest is waking up—and so can you! Join Forest Steward Debbie to plant native understory plants that will brighten Riverton Park and support the towering trees that raptors and wildlife call home. This is your chance to spring into action and make a lasting impact on Tukwila’s urban forest.
    • March 11: Riverside Restoration with REI — Join REI and Steward Chris to tackle Himalayan blackberry and bindweed that choke out young native plants. By freeing up space and light, we’re giving native trees and shrubs a chance to thrive—providing shade, filtering water, and strengthening salmon habitat.
    • March 12: Restore Cottonwood Corner — This March, help Forest Stewards Heidi and Greta restore Cottonwood Corner by removing invasive plants that crowd out our native forest. Your efforts open space for wildlife-friendly native plants to thrive along Riverton Creek. All ages welcome—come ready to dig, pull, and make a difference! Tools and guidance provided.
    • March 13: Eco-Ed Watershed Eco Systems — We all live in a watershed, and it’s up to us to keep the water that flows through it clean and plentiful. This program introduces people to their own local watershed and to the plants and animals that share this important ecosystem.

Sign up for these events here! 

November 7, 2025 |

Green Tukwila Day!

Fall is planting season, and there’s no better way to celebrate than by joining Tukwila Parks and the Green Tukwila Partnership for Green Tukwila Day. This year’s event focuses on planting camas, a culturally significant plant of the Salish people that honors Indigenous traditions while helping restore native habitat across our community.

Spend the morning outdoors with neighbors, enjoy live music by The Buskings, and get your hands in the soil as you help prepare the land for winter. All ages are welcome, and everything you need—tools, snacks, and plenty of good energy—will be provided. Come be part of the movement to keep Tukwila green and growing.

Since 2017, the City of Tukwila has been part of the Green Cities Partnership—working with local organizations and community members to care for natural open spaces. Tukwila’s own effort, the Green Tukwila Partnership, is supported by Forterra, EarthCorps, Duwamish Alive Coalition, Partner in Employment, the Service Board, Dirt Corps, King County Parks, and dedicated volunteers.

Together, we’re restoring 138 acres of urban forest over the next 20 years—creating healthier parks for all.

January 3, 2025 |

Green Tukwila Ecological Restoration Work Parties

Looking for an opportunity to build community, get out in nature, and help improve Tukwila’s public parks and spaces this year? The Green Tukwila Partnership has a variety of volunteer opportunities for you to get involved in ecological restoration efforts—ranging from removing invasive species, to planting native trees, and educational opportunities about local ecology and wildlife. 

There are dozens of opportunities to get involved. Check the schedule below for a time that works for you. You can register and learn more about each opportunity at: https://tukwila.greencitypartnerships.org/event/map/

April 2025

    • April 8, 11:30am – 1:30pm: Restoration at Riverton Park
    • April 9, 9am – 1pm: Riverside Restoration with REI at Bicentennial Park
    • April 10, 11am – 2pm: Cottonwood Corner Work Party at Riverton Creek
    • April 12, 10am – 1pm: Nurture Nature with Earthcorps at Tukwila Community Center
    • April 18, 1pm – 4pm: Forterra Earth Month at Duwamish Hill
    • April 19, 10am – 1pm: Duwamish Alive at Duwamish Hill Preserve
    • April 25, 10am – 1:30am: Nature Walk, City Nature Challenge Workshop at Tukwila Community Center

May 2025

    • May 13, 11:30am – 1:30pm: Restoration at Riverton Park
    • May 14, 9am – 1pm: Riverside Restoration with REI at Bicentennial Park
    • May 17, 10am – 1pm: Restore Duwamish Hill Preserve
    • May 31, 10am – 1pm: Nurture Nature with Earthcorps at Codiga Park

June 2025

    • June 10, 11:30am – 1:30pm: Restoration at Riverton Park
    • June 11, 9am – 1pm: Riverside Restoration with REI at Bicentennial Park
    • June 26, 10am – 11:30: Walk & Talk Litter Clean up at Tukwila Community Center

July 2025

    • July 8, 11:30am – 1:30pm: Restoration at Riverton Park
    • July 9, 9am – 1pm: Riverside Restoration with REI at Bicentennial Park
    • July 19, 10am – 1pm: Nurture Nature with Earthcorps at Codiga Park
    • July 31, 10am – 11:30: Walk & Talk Litter Clean up at Bicentennial Park

August 2025

    • August 12, 11:30am – 1:30pm: Restoration at Riverton Park
    • August 13, 9am – 1pm: Riverside Restoration with REI at Bicentennial Park
    • August 28, 10am – 11:30: Walk & Talk Litter Clean up at Crystal Springs Park

July 23, 2024 |

Volunteer With Green Tukwila

Looking for a way to get outside this fall and provide a helping hand? Check out the amazing volunteer and education opportunities put on by the Green Tukwila Partnership. 

October Events: 

    • October 8: Planting at Riverton Park — Join local neighbor and forest Steward Debbie for an afternoon impacting the environment. Invasive English ivy and Himalayan blackberry threaten Riverton Park’s large trees, which are essential habitats for large raptors and wildlife. We aim to reestablish a healthy urban forest bordering the community park. 
    • October 10: Planting at Cottonwood Corner — Join local Forest Steward Heidi Watters for Planting Season. Crews have worked all year, clearing and mulching to make room for new plants and trees. Heidi will show you everything you need to know about planting a forest next to a creek.
    • October 19: Duwamish Alive — Spend the day planting with Friends of the Hill, volunteer Forest Stewards, and keep Duwamish Hill Preserve healthy and sustainable. Join us and hundreds of volunteers at multiple sites, for a day of working in the Duwamish Watershed.
    • October 27: Planting & Mulching Water Bearers — This event is being led by two movers and shakers in the environmental movement in South King County. Sarah Kavage, a local artist, and Daniel Collins from Nicoterra. Bring your questions about public art, weaving natural materials, plants, trees, and the health of the watershed.
    • October 31: Boo-tiful Habitat Planting — Celebrate Halloween by planting with EarthCorps and the City of Tukwila as we work to improve the Duwamish River near the Tukwila Community Center (costumes encouraged!).

November Events: 

    • November 2: Help Heal Codiga Park — Join EarthCorps and the City of Tukwila as we continue to work in the Codiga Park natural area on the Duwamish River. The shoreline of the river, however, remained dominated by invasive Himalayan blackberry and Japanese knotweed.
    • November 12: Planting at Riverton Park — Join local neighbor and forest Steward Debbie for an afternoon impacting the environment. Invasive English ivy and Himalayan blackberry threaten Riverton Park’s large trees, which are essential habitats for large raptors and wildlife. We aim to reestablish a healthy urban forest bordering the community park. 
    • November 16: Green Tukwila Day — Let’s come together for high fives, laughs, and some old fashion restoration! This event will focus on environmental education around healthy forests and rivers. Dig in and help plant an understory bush or shrub that will become a safe place for urban wildlife. Many hands make light work; join us for a day of fun!
    • November 22: A Walk in the Park — Come see the fall leaves in a park filled with Big Leaf Maples. Join Green Tukwila staff member Olena Perry for a walk in the park. Learn about nature, identify native plants, and discuss the importance of urban forests. Take away ideas for how everyone can support wildlife, native habitats, and our watershed in their own homes.

Sign up for these events here! 

April 11, 2023 | green tukwila, volunteer

Celebrate Earth Month in Tukwila!

Happy Earth Month, Tukwila! Our beautiful city is home to over 150 acres of open space, including 20 parks and 12 miles of multi-use trails. This month, we’re highlighting our Green Tukwila Partnership and showcasing the many ways you can get involved in protecting Tukwila’s open spaces. The more people that lend a hand, the easier it is to create a healthy ecosystem in which both wildlife and the Tukwila community can thrive.

In 2016, Tukwila became an official “Green City” after the city council adopted a 20-year Green Tukwila Partnership Stewardship Plan led by Forterra. Together with Forterra, EarthCorps, Duwamish Alive Coalition, Dirt Corps, King County Parks, and the Tukwila community, the partnership works to restore and maintain 138 acres of Tukwila’s urban forest. 

For Earth Month, we sat down with Tukwila Parks & Recreation’s Olena Perry to talk about the importance of the Green Tukwila Partnership and the impact it’s had on Tukwila’s urban forest and community.

Experience Tukwila: How much progress has Green Tukwila made in the preservation of Tukwila Parks and Wildlife since the Green Tukwila 20-Year Stewardship Plan started?

Olena Perry: Walk through one of the restoration sites — Tukwila Park, Green River Trail by Bicentennial Park, Crystal Springs Park, Cottonwood Corner and Duwamish Hill Preserve — to see the impact. As the program installs a diverse pallet of plants and trees, and removes invasive plants like English Ivy and Himalayan Blackberry, we will see the return of wildlife and a balanced ecosystem. We measure the success of the partnership by carefully tracking the square feet of noxious weeds removed and the number of native shrubs, groundcovers, and trees planted. 

ET: What makes Tukwila’s landscape special in the broader Duwamish watershed?

OP: Tukwila landscape is unique for many reasons; we have a wide variety of habitats that lend themselves to various native plants and wildlife, from upland forests and riparian zones to grasslands. Healthy green spaces work as filter systems, cleaning stormwater, and airborne pollutants. Tukwila’s impact on the Duwamish River directly affects Orca, salmon, and marine life in Elliot Bay.

ET: Where would you like to see Green Tukwila go in the future? Any exciting new things on the horizon? 

OP: Lots of excitement for Green Tukwila; the partnership is growing. Every year we see more and more volunteers and stewards join the conversation and the work. We have launched environmental programming with the Department of Fish and Wildlife, Partner in Employment is returning with their Green Jobs program, Dirt Corps is starting a large project at Crystal Springs Park, and the Service Board has returned for another year of stewardship at Duwamish Hill Preserve. The work is essential, and the community is strong; Green Tukwila is growing and making significant yearly impacts. 

ET: What’s Tukwila Parks’ message to people during Earth Month? 

OP: Earth Day is a time of reflection, to think about our impact on this precious planet and what you can do to support a healthy tomorrow. Get involved in Green Tukwila’s events, learn about your local environment, and make an impact! www.Tukwilwa.gov/earthmonth

Interested in answering Olena’s call to action and getting involved with Green Tukwila? Check out these upcoming Earth Month events: 

Experience Tukwila regularly highlights Green Tukwila work parties, so keep an eye out on our events page and social media to catch future volunteer opportunities!

April 7, 2023 |

Duwamish Hill Preserve Work Party

There’s no better place to celebrate Earth Month than with a work party at Duwamish Hill Preserve.

This unique ecosystem has deep connections to local Indigenous communities and is celebrated by everyone in Tukwila. Fun fact: the hill is older than Mt. Rainier!

Join resident Forest Stewards and a group of volunteers to help remove young blackberries and clear spaces for fall planting. All tools, materials and training will be provided at the beginning of the day. No prior experience required!

April 7, 2023 |

Cottonwood Corner Work Party and Picnic

Invasive plant species Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, and Morning Glory are overrunning Cottonwood Corner.

Forest Steward, Heidi Watters needs your help to prevent their spread and restore the forest back to its natural state.

Join a group of volunteers for this mid-week work party. All tools, materials and training will be provided at the beginning of the day. No prior experience required!

April 7, 2023 |

Celebrate Earth Month Restoring Riverton Park

English Ivy is growing aggressively throughout Riverton Park, choking out native plants and trees, putting the ecological balance at risk.

Help a group of volunteers weed out these invasive pants and restore the park to its natural state.

All tools, materials and training will be provided at the beginning of the work party. No prior experience required!

November 7, 2022 |

Riverton Park Invasive Plant Removal

Riverton Park is slowly being taken over by invasive English ivy and holly. But together, we can fight back and preserve this beautiful wooded oasis. Join Forest Steward, Debbie for a mid-week work party inside the park. This is a great opportunity to learn new valuable forestry skills while also engaging with the larger community. 

This is very much a hands-on experience, so be sure to come prepared. Bring a full water bottle, snacks, weather appropriate clothes, closed-toed shoes, and a pair of garden gloves if you have them. All other tools and materials will be provided. And be sure to show up on time for a quick training session. 

Meeting Instructions
Work parties are taking place next to the Gully Gardens P-Patch on the lower section of the park. You will see a 6ft toolbox (JOBOX) meet there. Park in the lot at Riverton Park and walk down to the P-Patch.

Where: Riverton Park: 13263 Macadam Rd S, Tukwila, WA 98168
When: December 14th
Time: 11:30am – 1:30pm

March 10, 2022 |

Volunteer Restoration Work Party at Riverton Park

Occurring throughout the year on the second Wednesday of the month, join Green Tukwila for a restoration work party at Tukwila’s Riverton Park! Volunteers will help local stewards with tasks like removing invasive plants, cleaning up litter, and planting native plants. All tools and education will be provided.

Work parties will occur on the following dates. Sign up here!

    • Wednesday, April 13, 11:30am – 1:30pm
    • Wednesday, May 11, 11:30am – 1:30pm
    • Wednesday, June 8, 11:30am – 1:30pm
    • Wednesday, July 13, 11:30am – 1:30pm
    • Wednesday, August 10, 11:30am – 1:30pm