Welcome, 2026 Forest Stewards!
Updated: Sep 30
We at the Green Seattle Partnership are pleased to welcome a total of 27 new Forest Stewards to our 2026 cohort! 19 went through the standard two-day orientation with GSP staff while 8 others were onboarded by GSP’s partner program, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association (DNDA).
Who are GSP’s Forest Stewards?
Forest Stewards are GSP’s most well trained and consistent volunteers. They are instructed by GSP staff not only on how to do restoration work, but also how to host events and supervise other volunteers themselves. They go through orientation, adopt a section of a natural area, perform maintenance work on their own, and host public work parties that their friends and neighbors can attend. They do all of this in their own time, all because they love their parks, and because they are dedicated to environmental service and connecting their community with opportunities to lend a hand.
The Forest Steward orientation process
During the first day of orientation, the new Forest Stewards met with GSP staff at our office to go over the administrative side of planning and running volunteer events and reporting the outcomes. This largely involved how to navigate CEDAR, the GSP event site, how to create an event online, track registration, and submit a worklog. It also involved using our GIS map to understand the boundaries of the work zones assigned to each steward and how to accurately report where work occurred.
During the second day of orientation, we took our new Forest Stewards out into the field to get some hands-on experience. We met up at Genesee Park, toured an active Forest Steward site, went over some plant identification, and reviewed the mechanics of restoration work skills, such as weeding, planting, and making compost piles. Finally, we went step-by-step on how to run a volunteer event from start to finish.
Why become a Forest Steward?
Our new Forest Stewards came to the program for a variety of reasons. Many have been volunteering at their local parks for some time already, working under the leadership of more established Forest Stewards who inspired them to join the program. Others already do environmental work professionally but are looking for a way to get involved in their own neighborhoods. Some are students, studying environmental science and looking for a way to get more hands-on experience. All of them are dedicated to improving the health of their urban greenspaces and serving their community.
In total, GSP has 194 active Forest Stewards representing many parks across Seattle. We are truly grateful for their time and dedication to make GSP’s work possible.
If you are interested in becoming a Forest Steward with GSP, please contact us at info@greenseattle.org.
Enjoy these group photos with some of the new Forest Stewards!
Mike (center) at Discovery Park. Angela (left) at Montlake Playfield. Gabriella (center) at Magnuson Park. Mark (right) at Hamilton Viewpoint Park. Victoria (left) at Colman Park Beach. Maddie and Martha at Washington Park.
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