Thornton Creek Watershed Background
King County Stream and Water Quality Monitoring Program: Thornton Creek
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.
Seattle Watershed Projects Map
Seattle has been working to Restore Our Waters; by slowing and cleaning urban runoff and improving natural habitats. Seattle is a nationally recognized leader of successful projects including rain gardens and bioretention systems, habitat improvements and green roofs.
WIKI: Thornton Creek Watershed
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, entry on the Thornton Creek Watershed.
Parks & Natural Areas
Thornton Creek Natural Areas
Thornton Creek Natural Area is a series of properties in the Northgate neighborhood that preserve green space around Thornton Creek. These natural area include Beaver Pond, Licorice Fern, Kingfisher, and other smaller natural areas and includes paths, restored native plants, and wildlife viewing.
Matthews Beach Park
Matthews Beach 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 Playfield
Located near Nathan Hale High School, and Meadowbrook Community Center and Meadowbrook pool, Meadowbrook Playfield includes playfields, lighted tennis courts, a children’s play area, and meadows.
Fisheries
Salmon Friendly Seattle
The City of Seattle is committed to improving habitat for Chinook and other salmon species in our waters, whether urban streams, migrational pathways, or the Cedar and Tolt watersheds. We continue to work with scientists to figure out what actions are most needed. We are also taking steps to improve water quality, conserve water and restore shorelines.
Salmon Watchers Program
A King County supported program for volunteers looking for salmon in King County creeks, including Thornton Creek. Join and get your own pair of pink sunglasses!
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
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.
Stormwater
Green Stormwater Infrastructure
Transforming Seattle’s urban landscape, creating green elements that welcome the rain – storing, draining, and cleaning it.
Pinehurst Green Grid
Green stormwater project completed in the fall of 2006.
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 that anyone working in a Seattle natural area or park will want to know.
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.
ReLeaf Seattle
All about 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
The TreePAC mission is to influence the government to protect, maintain and increase the urban forest.
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.
Fauntleroy Watershed
One of the oldest and most successful citizen groups that has been restoring this West Seattle watershed for over 25 years.
Protect Our Waters
The City of Seattle’s commitment to take actions and promote partnerships that protect and improve our creeks, lakes, the Duwamish River and Puget Sound.
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
The Environment and Conservation office at Seattle Public Utilities
Find out about programs and projects that protect our waterways, preserve the natural beauty of our city, and help wildlife and habitats, such as:
Washington Department of Ecology
We’re proud to protect, preserve, and enhance Washington’s environment for current and future generations.
