Help Us Save Environmental Education
In November 2024, the City Council approved Mayor Harrell’s budget, which will remove funding for Seattle Parks and Recreation’s environmental education programming starting January 2026. For decades this programming has provided safe, engaging, and equitable access to the outdoors across Seattle. This defunding will also result in the closure of the Discovery Visitor Center at Discovery Park.
See What Program Sites Near You Are at Risk
C = Community Center | G = Community Group | L = Library | P = Park | S = School
Programs at Risk of Closure in 2026
Discovery Park
- Discovery Park Visitor Center
- Nature Day Camp
- Summer Beach Shuttle
- Nature Kids Preschool
- Accessible Parking Passes for People with Disabilities, Seniors, & Families
- Welcoming Center for Local and International Travelers
Carkeek Park
- Earthkeepers Nature Day Camp
- Salmon Stewards
- Community Events:
- Festival of Fruit
- Salmon Celebration
- Earth Day
Citywide
- Seattle Urban Nature Guide Program
- Environmental and Nature Programs at Parks, Community Centers, and Libraries
- Partnerships with 65 local schools
Citywide Programming in 2024
At Discovery Park, over 45,000 people engage with the Visitor Center each year to explore park programming and services.
Students from 65 schools attended Seattle Parks and Recreation Nature Field Trips. Title 1 schools receive scholarships and a free bus to a park of their choice. 30% of school programs received scholarships or free programming in 2024.
Naturalists and education volunteers led 280 programs citywide in 2024.
Nature Day Camp summer programming at Carkeek and Discovery Park educate children ages 3 – 12. It is filled to 100% capacity each year, & provides City-funded scholarships for income eligible families.
When the salmon return to Carkeek Park in November and December, naturalists host free education stations and walks for the public.
Community programs run in partnership with over 35 organizations reached 5,900 participants in Equity-identified neighborhoods.
At Discovery Park, the Summer Beach Shuttle provides equitable access to the beach for those who otherwise are not able to walk the hilly, 3-mile trail. Seniors, families, and people with disabilities will no longer be served.
How You Can Help
We have until May 2025 to make our voices heard! Please join us by taking any of the actions listed below:
Sign the Petition
Sign the petition and opt to send a pre-written email to your City Council member. The more people who sign, the better chance of reversing the Council’s decision.
Send a Letter
Use the link below to send a pre-filled email to your City Council Member or write directly to your Council Member – you can find their contact info below.
Post on Social Media
Post to your personal social media platforms, or share with other organizations and schools who will be impacted by this decision. Use our social media toolkit linked below.
Share the Poster
Share the poster digitally or print for free at your local library. Post in your neighborhood, share with parent groups, on school or community message boards.
Contact Your City Councilmember
Directly contacting your City Councilmember has one of the largets impacts. Not sure who your Councilmember is or what district you live in? Find out here.
District 1 | West Seattle, South Park, Georgetown, Pioneer Square
Rob Saka
rob.saka@seattle.gov
(206) 684-8801
District 5 | North Seattle
Cathy Moore
cathy.moore@seattle.gov
(206) 684-8805
District 2 | Yesler Terrace to Rainier Beach
Mark Solomon
mark.solomon2@seattle.gov
(206) 684-8802
District 6 | Northwest Seattle
Dan Strauss
dan.strauss@seattle.gov
(206) 684-8806
District 3 | Central Seattle
Joy Hollingsworth
joy.hollingsworth@seattle.gov
(206) 684-8803
District 7 | Downtown to Magnolia
Robert Kettle
robert.kettle@seattle.gov
(206) 684-8807
Please also include our Citywide Councilmembers on your emails:
Position 8 | Citywide
Alexis Mercedes Rinck
AlexisMercedes.Rinck@seattle.gov
(206) 684-8808
Position 9 | Citywide
Sara Nelson
sara.nelson@seattle.gov
(206) 684-8809
Attend a Meeting (In-person or Virtual)
Attending Seattle Parks & Recreation Board Meeting and City Council Meetings is the most impacftul way for officials representing you to see and hear that continuing safe and equitable access to the outdoors is supported by the community. If you are able to attend in-person or virtually, please wear blue in solidarity.
CWCAP and SUNGuides are attending as many of these meetings as we can, please join our efforts
Upcoming SPR Board Meetings
The Seattle Parks and Recreation Board of Commissioners meets on the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 6:30pm. In-person meetings take place at 100 Dexter Ave N, next to Denny Park.
March 27, 2025 | 6:30pm – 8:30pm
100 Dexter Ave N [Virtual Meeting Option]
***SUNGuides & CWCAP will be attending in-person***
April 10, 2025 | 6:30pm – 8:30pm
100 Dexter Ave N [Virtual Meeting Option]
***SUNGuides & CWCAP will be attending in-person***
More Info
April 24, 2025 | 6:30pm – 8:30pm
100 Dexter Ave N [Virtual Meeting Option]
***SUNGuides & CWCAP will be attending in-person***
More Info
May 8, 2025 | 6:30pm – 8:30pm
100 Dexter Ave N [Virtual Meeting Option]
***SUNGuides & CWCAP will be attending in-person***
More Info
Upcoming City Council Meetings
The Seattle City Council “Parks, Public Utilities, & Technology Committee” meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 2:00pm. View their upcoming calendar. If you choose to make a public comment, please note you have a 2 minute time limit.
Need some help forming your comment? Use our talking points for inspriation.
Public Comment:
Remote Public Comment – Register online to speak during the Public Comment period at the meeting. Online registration to speak will begin one hour before the meeting start time, and registration will end at the conclusion of the Public Comment period during the meeting. Speakers must be registered in order to be recognized by the Chair.
In-Person Public Comment – Register to speak on the Public Comment sign-up sheet located inside Council Chambers at least 15 minutes prior to the meeting start time. Registration will end at the conclusion of the Public Comment period during the meeting. Speakers must be registered in order to be recognized by the Chair.
Written Comments to all Councilmembers need to be submitted four (4) hours prior to the meeting at Council@seattle.gov or at Seattle City Hall, Attn: Council Public Comment, 600 4th Ave., Floor 2, Seattle, WA 98104.
We recognize that these meetings are held during the workday when jobs and/or childcare may prevent attendance. Please consider submitting a written comment – especially if you have participated in any of the programming slated to be eliminated.
May 22, 2025 | 6:30pm – 8:30pm
100 Dexter Ave N [Virtual Meeting Option]
***SUNGuides & CWCAP will be attending in-person***
More Info
April 9, 2025 | 2:00pm
Council Chambers
600 4th Ave., Floor 2
Seattle, WA 98104
More Info | Watch Live
May 14, 2025 | 2:00pm
Council Chambers
600 4th Ave., Floor 2
Seattle, WA 98104
More Info | Watch Live
April 23, 2025 | 2:00pm
Council Chambers
600 4th Ave., Floor 2
Seattle, WA 98104
More Info | Watch Live
May 28, 2025 | 2:00pm
Council Chambers
600 4th Ave., Floor 2
Seattle, WA 98104
More Info | Watch Live