Your Watershed
About TCA
Join TCA
Make a Donation
Help TCA with a financial gift
We are a group of dedicated volunteers who are working to preserve and protect our urban watershed. We work on multiple fronts: habitat restoration, issue advocacy, and education and outreach. Your support is welcome and would be gratefully accepted. We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization; your donation is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Become a Community Scientist
Learn how to help your community
Members and volunteers monitor pollutants and collect data at a variety of locations along the creek. Using this information, we partner with Seattle Public Utilities to pinpoint pollution sources and improve the water quality for everyone. Join this innovative program to keep Thornton Creek and it residents thriving in their urban setting.
Our recent projects
Thornton Creek Hotlines — to report issues, CALL:
Pollution Spills & Waterway Problems
City of Shoreline 24/7: 206-801-2700
WA Dept. of Ecology: 800-258-5990 –or- 425-649-7000
Illegal Dumping
Shoreline 24/7: 206-801-2700
Erosion
Shoreline 24/7: 206-801-2700
Fish & Wildlife
UW (distressed salmon): 253-254-7030 x8007
Illegal Tree Cutting
On private property:
Seattle Code Compliance Division of Department of Construction and Inspections: (206) 615-0808
Shoreline Planning & Community Development Department: (206) 801-2500
On public street/city right-of-way:
Seattle Department of Transportation: (206) 684-8733
Shoreline Customer Response Team Code Enforcement: (206) 801-2260
On Parks property:
Seattle Parks Department: (206) 684-4113
Shoreline Customer Response Team Code Enforcement: (206) 801-2260
What you can do
Salmon-friendly gardening
Create a pesticide free zone in your yard and garden.
The abundant rain we get washes chemicals and pesticides into the creek, and eventually into Puget Sound. Control invasive plant species such as blackberry, ivy and laurel. Check out our resources for going organic and natural in your yard.
Wash your car … at a car wash!
When you wash your car on a paved surface such as your driveway, street or parking space, the contaminated water (even if you use biodegradable soap) goes right into the storm drains and can harm fish, other aquatic life and animals. The best option is a commercial car wash since the water goes through the sewer system, and many car washes reuse the water several times.
Recent News
Upcoming Events
Update: Saving the Urban Forest at Fircrest School, Shoreline
By: Janet Way, Ruth Williams, and Annie Fanning Efforts to landmark the Seattle Naval Hospital Chapel and Forest at Fircrest School have been successful thanks to Shoreline Preservation Society (S.P.S.), with support from many local area groups including Thornton...
A Homeowner’s Journey Restoring a Patch of the Thornton Creek Watershed
By Richard Newman, TCA Board Member Without initially knowing what I was doing, I recently embarked on a multiyear project to restore a small patch of the Thornton Creek Watershed. Even though I lack any formal background in ecological restoration or landscaping, I...
Expanding Paramount Open Space in Shoreline
Over the last two years, the City of Shoreline has acquired two key parcels along Littles Creek at the south end of Paramount Open Space, expanding a significant natural area just north of Seattle’s Jackson Park. On September 23, the City of Shoreline completed...
Happy New Year! A Look Back and What’s Ahead
The year 2022 seems to have just flown by, due in a very large part to the dedication and accomplishments of our hard-working board members. With the year almost over, there is little time to reflect – work on ongoing projects will continue, as well as the...
- There are no upcoming events.
- There are no upcoming events.
Latest Past Events
TCA Community Science E.coli Sampling
Collect water samples for E. coli analysis from 12 to 13 sites in the Thornton Creek drainage. Every other Saturday morning three teams collect water from their respective sampling […]
Thornton Creek Alliance Member Meeting
Building Equity and Preserving Environment –It Takes Us All! TCA Reports Land Use Committee Updates Community Based Science Projects New Tree Regulations Communication, Outreach & Inclusion Grant Activities including […]
Kramer Creek Work Party
Meet Forest Steward Nicole at the SW corner of 28th Avenue NE and NE 113th St.
Year Alliance Formed
Anniversary
Members & Growing
Events per Year
New members are always welcome!
The larger the group, the greater the voice for a healthier watershed.