Something To Be Thankful For
In January I was honored to accept the Sustainability Leadership Award for Transforming Spaces as Nature Consortium’s Executive Director. This award highlighted Nature Consortium’s work building healthier, more vibrant communities in South Seattle. The year truly started on a high note and we’ve been steadily climbing since then! This month I am happy to report on how our programs have progressed this year.
When people think of Nature Consortium, they usually think about our work restoring health to Seattle’s largest urban forest, the West Duwamish Greenbelt. Since the beginning of January we have removed 10 acres of the blackberry and ivy, invasive plants that choke out native vegetation and climb trees compromising their health. What’s even more exciting is that 3 of our work sites have been recognized by Seattle Parks and Recreation as fully restored. Lizzie Zemke, Nature Consortium’s Restoration Program Director says, “We have been talking about restoring health to Seattle’s urban forest for years. Now the proof of all those years of work can be seen!”
It isn’t possible to continue writing about Nature Consortium’s restoration work without pausing to say thank you to all of our volunteers! So far this year over 2000 community members have joined us, rain or shine, in the heat of summer and the cold of winter. Together we have planted almost 4000 native trees and shrubs. Dignitaries including, Mayor Ed Murray, Miss West Seattle, City Councilman Tom Rasmussen, and King County Executive Dow Constantine have also rolled up their sleeves to plant trees in the forest.
Nature Consortium is transforming the West Duwamish Greenbelt into a sustainable ecosystem and infusing art and creativity in to the environmental realm in a unique way. We love art because art transforms the way in which people in our community connect to the place we live. Nature Consortium has engaged close to 1000 youth from around our city in arts and environmental education so far this year. With thanks to partners such as the Seattle Housing Authority, Camp Long, Neighborhood House, the YMCA, and Seattle Parks and Recreation we also provided 150 kids living in low-income communities a summer of really spectacular art and nature activities! Youth enjoyed summer camps, hiking and backpacking trips in the Cascade Mountains, overnight camping at Camp Long, and free admission to the Arts in Nature Festival.
Art Program Manager Yeggy Michael explains, “Through our programs we promote creativity and increase environmental awareness. Youth are inspired to understand that it is not only our duty to be aware of the environmental crisis but also to recycle and live simply. We do that every day through our work with youth and adults by examining our sense of place in our local community and in the society at large. Connecting art and nature in unexpected ways, we inspire people to reimagine what art is, where it belongs, and how all of us can channel our creativity to improve our communities.”
As the new leader of an esteemed community organization I am deeply thankful for the many ways so many have shown their support for our mission to connect people, arts, and nature. Our dedicated staff are working to improve the way we work and to serve the community better. Our board has demonstrated a renewed commitment to our mission. And our supporters inspire us every day to realize our vision – and this is something to be thankful for.
With Gratitude, Merica Whitehall