Thornton Creek Watershed Background
King County Stream and Water Quality Monitoring Program
The Stream and River Monitoring Program is part of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, Water and Land Resources Division. We are committed to monitoring the water quality of the County’s lakes and streams to ensure their continued health, as well as the health of the public who utilize the many freshwater resources.
Puget Sound Watershed Characterization Project
The Puget Sound Watershed Characterization Project is a regional tool that compares areas of the Puget Sound basin in terms of their suitability and value for restoration and protection.
King County Stream Report
King County data on the ecological health of Thornton Creek.
Parks & Natural Areas
Matthews Beach Park
Matthews Beach, the out fall of Thornton Creek and the former site of a longhouse, is Seattle’s largest freshwater bathing beach. The park is named for pioneer John G. Matthews, who had his homestead on the site in the 1880’s. In the 1940’s, the area south of the main beach was the site of Pan American World Airways’ offices, and the dock for Pan American’s “Clipper Ships”- the world’s first amphibious commercial air transports over the ocean.
Meadowbrook Pond
Located across the street from the Meadowbrook Community Center, this park supports a population of otters and aquatic wildlife. Paved paths make it a great place to bring the family.
Shoreline Parks
Find out more about parks in Shoreline.
Fisheries
Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group
MSFEG is community-powered salmon habitat restoration – transforming degraded salmon habitat and building a future in which people enthusiastically steward local streams and beaches.
Salmon Watchers Program
Learn when and where you can actually watch migrating salmon.
Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife
Dedicated to preserving, protecting and perpetuating the state’s fish and wildlife resources.
Native Plant Resources
King County Northwest Native Plant Guide
This web site offers a wealth of environmental information, including very handy native plant and invasive weed databases.
King County Conservation District
Very inexpensive bare-root plants go on sale late November and become available in March. Large batches only, so maybe pool your order with a friend.
Washington Native Plant Society
This site is packed with useful information. They also have annual fall and spring plant sales.
Go Natives
Native plant nursery in Shoreline. Check the web site for occasional sales. Good source of advice as well.
The Burke Museum
Here you will find a comprehensive collection of data on our native plants. Also apps you can download.
Stormwater
Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Transforming Seattle’s urban landscape, creating green elements that welcome the rain – storing, draining, and cleaning it.
Trees & The Urban Forest
Green Seattle Partnership
“Creating a sustainable network of healthy forested parklands throughout Seattle, supported by an aware, engaged community.” An impressive public/private organization where you can increase your knowledge base and volunteer in our natural areas.
Friends of Urban Forests
Protecting Seattle’s trees and it’s urban forest infrastructure. A wonderful resource with lots of background on how other cities, counties and states protect theiir city trees.
Plant Amnesty
Learn how to care for, and take action on behalf of, trees and shrubs.
Trees for Seattle
City program working to rebuild Seattle’s urban forest infrastructure and the recent plans and actions with regard to it.
Sustainable Urban Forest Coalition
City Forest Stewards of America Unite!
Tree PAC
Founded by Cass Turnbull, the TreePAC mission is to influence the government to protect, maintain and increase the urban forest.
The Last 6000
Devoted to the campaign to locate Seattle’s remaining majestic trees. Another Plant Amnesty program.
Watershed & Citizens Groups
Friends of Meadowbrook Pond
Dedicated to enhancing Meadowbrook Pond as a safe urban sanctuary benefiting people and wildlife through stewardship and community outreach.
Sno-King Watershed Council
Working to protect streams and watersheds in north King and south Snohomish Counties by networking environmental and neighborhood groups, scientists, technical experts and interested citizens. A wonderful wealth of reference information and a world of grassroots groups in the north Lake Washington Watershed.
King County Streams Monitoring
Select from a pull down menu to read detailed stream monitoring reports on streams “a to z” in King County.
Invasive Species
King County Noxious Weed Control Program
Our focus is to provide education and technical assistance to landowners and public agencies to help everyone find the best control options for noxious weeds on each site and to reduce the overall impact of noxious weeds throughout the county.
WDFW’s Aquatic Invasive Species
Anyone who uses Washington’s waters – for work or play – can find information here to help stop the spread of these non-native species.
Water Quality
Sustainability at SPU
Find out about programs and projects that protect our waterways, preserve the natural beauty of our city, and help wildlife and habitats.
Washington Department of Ecology
We’re proud to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations.
