Heron Habitat Helpers

Enjoy, Learn, Protect.

  • Home
  • About
    • Mission
    • Who We Are
    • History
    • Archives
    • Newsletters
    • 2015 Accomplishments
    • 2016 Accomplishments
  • Volunteer
  • Events
  • Herons
    • Heron Facts
    • Heron Watching
  • Restoration
    • Kiwanis Ravine Overlook (KRO)
    • Kiwanis Ravine Stevens (KRS)
    • Kiwanis Wildlife Corridor (KWC)
    • Commodore Shore (CS)
    • Commodore Grove (CG)
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Donate

Heron Habitat Helpers Restoration Sites

In 2001, Heidi Carpine and Donna Kostka were concerned that the building of a proposed street near a local heron colony in Kiwanis Ravine would jeopardize the nests. Carpine and Kostka established a committee with Friends of Discovery Park to begin protecting and restoring the Ravine, beginning with the removal of 600 pounds of trash from the Ravine. This was a pre-cursor of the independent organization, Heron Habitat Helpers, which was established a month later.

HHH’s mission was to preserve and restore the habitat for the large colony of herons nesting in the ravine, as well as expanding and connecting pocket parks to Discovery Park to create a wildlife corridor. These restoration projects were designed and built by HHH volunteers.

Today, HHH is still a 100% volunteer organization, now restoring and maintaining 5 sites – 3 sites around Kiwanis Ravine and 2 sites at Commodore Park where the herons are currently nesting. These small green spaces are vital for our local wildlife, our planet, and humans alike. Large trees sequester carbon, small shrubs and plants provide seeds and flowers for birds, insects, amphibians and mammals. Green spaces filter toxins and pollution before entering our waters.

The public is welcome to explore these green spaces year-round. Take a walk, listen to the birds, look for flowers blooming in spring, smell the fresh air. Spending time in nature is known to reduce stress and contributes positively to your well-being. And so does volunteering, connecting you to your community, creating a sense of pride and accomplishment. Don’t be shy – contact us to get involved!

Kiwanis Ravine Support

Kiwanis Ravine is a natural area that sits close to the eastern edge of Seattle's Discovery Park. The ravine was formed by two drainages coming from the east and west forks of Wolfe Creek. Very little is left of those drainages today, but what remains does channel water down through Kiwanis Ravine toward the Lake Washington Ship Canal, where it is intercepted and piped to West Point, a nearby wastewater treatment plant. The ravine is home to many species of birds, plants, and animals, particularly the Great Blue Heron. In 2010 the ravine hosted approximately 80 successful heron nests. Supporting the herons through restoration of their native habitat is paramount to our mission. However, Kiwanis Ravine is so steeply sloped, the City of Seattle cannot allow the general citizenry, or HHH volunteers, to do restoration work on the steep slopes of the ravine, so specialized contractors, like EarthCorps, are hired to work these areas. Three areas with no significant slope allow volunteer access; Kiwanis Ravine Overlook (KRO), Kiwanis Ravine Stevens (KRS), and Kiwanis Wildlife Corridor (KWC). Please click here to see those areas identified on the map.

Get Social

Membership

By becomming a Member and supporting HHH, you are directly contributing to conservation initiatives, habitat restoration efforts, and educational programs. Join now!

Volunteer

There are many ways to get involved with HHH! Please email us for a list of current opportunities. 
volunteer@heronhelpers.org

Contact Us

Heron Habitat Helpers
4574 36th Avenue West
Seattle, WA  98199-1146
info@heronhelpers.org

Copyright © 2014 - 2021 · Heron Habitat Helpers