Thriving Environment Initiative
The Thriving Environment Initiative (formerly the HealthyEnvironment Initiative) is Seattle Parks and Recreation's commitment to mitigating climate change impacts, stewarding and protecting our urban forests and natural spaces, promoting environmental responsibility and environmental justice, and building resilient infrastructure.
Read our Thriving Environment posts on the Parkways Blog
SPR's Strategic Plan describes a Healthy Environment as:
- A thriving ecosystem where everyone has equitable use of, and responsibility for, public spaces
- A healthy urban forest that cleans the air and soil and serves as a natural sanctuary for people and wildlife
- Green infrastructure that builds resiliency by adapting to shifting weather patterns and sea level rise
- Community programming that instills knowledge about our ecosystem and connects residents to their natural environment
- Community stewards who care for the parks and recreation system and help SPR protect it for future generations utilizing best environmental practices
- A healthy ocean and marine environment that contributes to the health of the Seattle and Pacific Northwest ecosystem
Read about our 10 strategies to achieve a Healthy Environment in the 2020-2032 Strategic Plan.
Measuring Our Progress
Each year SPR publishes a report that summarizes some of the impact we had on creating a thriving environment, both qualitative and quantitative. The report includes metrics such as waste diverted from the landfill, carbon emissions reduction, trees planted, and much more. View all the data and the stories, too, in our 2022 Thriving Environment Report.
Download the 2022 Thriving Environment Report
2021 Healthy Environment Report
2020 Healthy Environment Report