Natural Environment and Ecosystems

totem lake and wetland next to busy neighborhood

Why are the natural environment and ecosystems important for sustainability?

creek photo.jpg

A healthy, functioning natural environment is essential to life. Streams provide a place for plants and animals to exist in an urban environment, and support salmon, who need clean water. Our urban forest helps to clean our water and air, provides shade, fights climate change and contributes to a more livable city. Our parks and open spaces provide beauty and places for all of us to relax.

Kirkland influences how clean and healthy Lake Washington is for humans and wildlife because rain carries pollution from wherever it falls.

What's a watershed and how does it connect to the health of our environment?

A watershed is an area of land that drains to a particular water body. Most of Kirkland is within the Lake Washington watershed. That means Kirkland influences how clean and healthy Lake Washington is for humans and wildlife because rain carries pollution from wherever it falls. Other cities along the lake are also in the Lake Washington watershed, so it’s vital to work together to protect the lake’s water quality and watershed health.

Kirkland's watershed, the area of land where water flows to the same place, is the Lake Washington-Cedar River Watershed

metal boardwalk at Edith Moulton Park through a dappled forest

How was Kirkland doing before adopting the Sustainability Master Plan?

  • Kirkland’s creeks and lakes face water quality and habitat challenges typical of urbanizing areas.
  • More than 119 acres of City owned natural areas and open space park lands have been enrolled in restoration.
  • From 2010 to 2018, citywide tree canopy cover dropped by 272 acres, mostly in single family residential areas.
  • More than 90 percent of residents live within a ten minute walk of a park.

What key natural environment and ecosystems goals are included in the Sustainability Master Plan?

 Key natural environment and ecosystems goals include:

How can the community help meet these goals?