Photo by Mike Marsh © |
Heron Habitat Helpers (HHH) is working to restore and protect Kiwanis Memorial Preserve Park, Natural Area and Wildlife Corridor. This area, informally known as Kiwanis Ravine, is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the largest active Great Blue Heron colony in Seattle. As the official "Adopt-a-Park" sponsor for Kiwanis Ravine, HHH is committed to maintaining this critical habitat to support a thriving population of herons and other wildlife for current and future generations to enjoy.
A Strong Conservation Ethic
HHH has identified a number of conservation goals, including preserving the heron colony; control of invasive, nonnative plant and animal species; creating a backyard wildlife refuge and monitoring program in neighborhoods adjacent to the preserve; and shaping real estate development that compromises wildlife and natural habitat. HHH also hopes to acquire additional land for the preserve that will eventually connect its disparate pieces. Today, Kiwanis Ravine comprises a number of parcels, all located within a few blocks of Discovery Park.
A Collaborative Spirit
Urban wildlife today faces many challenges, including habitat loss, pollution and difficulty obtaining food. Fortunately, concerned
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citizens, government agencies and environmental organizations in the greater Seattle area are addressing these challenges through numerous conservation initiatives. Whenever possible, HHH works collaboratively with these entities to achieve our goals. We are a part of the Green Seattle Partnership (www.greenseattle.org), a citywide effort to restore all of Seattle’s forested parklands by 2025, and we are currently working with the Seattle Parks Department (www.seattle.gov/PARKS).
Our Goals:
- Restore and protect Kiwanis Ravine as an urban wildlife area.
- Preserve and enhance the wildlife corridor on Gilman Ave. W. to provide a pathway from the Cascades through Kiwanis Ravine to Discovery Park.
- Shape real estate development that compromises wildlife and habitat in Kiwanis Ravine.
- Partner with Discovery Park naturalist staff to create educational programs focused on Kiwanis Ravine.
- Encourage public awareness of Kiwanis wildlife and involvement in educational programs and adopt-a-park activities.
- Create a backyard wildlife refuge and monitoring program in neighborhoods adjacent to Kiwanis Ravine.
- Restore lands invaded by nonnative plant and animal species.
- Acquire additional lands, conservation easements, and street right of ways.
- Daylight Wolfe Creek and restore salmon runs in the creek and its tributaries.
- Enhance funding, management and monitoring of Kiwanis Ravine.
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