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
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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
WA Dept. Fish & Wildlife: 425-775-1311
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
TCA launches new committee to increase diversity within the organization
Recently Thornton Creek Alliance (TCA) has formed a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to develop plans and take action to engage those under-represented. We are soliciting help from within and outside of our organization. As a committee we are dedicated to exploring and implementing ways to encourage and support the underserved community as part of the effort to improve and protect our watershed for all of us.
Remembering Dan Mahler
TCA past president, board member, and member, Dan Mahler passed away at the age of 80 on August 5, 2021. As president he guided our group through a period of change and growth, keeping the organization on an even keel and encouraging innovation.
Culvert barrier fixes for fish passage in the Thornton Creek basin?
On Thursday August 12, 2021, the fish passage coordinator for King County reached out to me to invite TCA to provide input in choosing a fish passage barrier that could be used for a media event by Senator Maria Cantwell, along with US Representative Derek Kilmer, the following Monday. The impetus was the federal infrastructure package currently working its way through Congress. The US Senate’s version of the $1 trillion package includes $1 billion to remove poorly designed culverts that create obstacles for fish nationwide. Authored by Sen Cantwell, the culvert fix provision in the bill would help open up fish habitat in our state, and with any luck, in our watershed.
Stop the Big Squeeze on 8th Avenue NE
Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) is currently reviewing plans for a NEW six-story apartment block with 410 units and 256 parking places at the site of the former Kindred Hospital (10631 8th Avenue NE). The current design requires all building traffic to enter and exit on 8th Ave NE, a designated pedestrian and bicycle greenway, within feet of Thornton Creek at Beaver Pond Natural Area (BPNA) and its tributaries.
Latest Past Events
Tree Care Event at Meadowbrook Pond
Join us at Meadowbrook Pond for the Tree Care Event on Saturday, February 27th, 2024 Saturday, February 24, 202410am - 1pm Meet at the end of 36 Ave NE near […]
Presentation: ‘Private Eye Beaver Investigation – one dam at a time with Pamela Adams’
Join us via Zoom through the TCA General Membership Program to learn about the beavers (and fish!) in your watershed by behind the scenes observation (details forthcoming).
Volunteer in the Kingfisher Natural Area doing community reforestation along Thornton Creek
Please RSVP for this event here: https://seattle.greencitypartnerships.org/event/38421/ Activities We will be providing instruction on non-native plant species identification, and removal as well as directions on proper conifer planting techniques. Come […]
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.