What We Do

We know that an urban forest like Dead Horse Canyon is both a vital natural environment and a community treasure. Since 1998, we have led the effort to restore and maintain the health of the Canyon by removing invasive plants, clearing trash and planting an average of 200 native plants each year—all for the purpose of keeping the canyon a thriving habitat and a sanctuary for people.

 

Our Mission

We take great pleasure in continuing our efforts to restore the park to what it may have been before trash and non-native species began to take over. We hope to provide a healthy, functioning ecosystem that will provide habitat for plants and animals as well as a bit of wilderness for our community to enjoy here in the heart of an urban landscape. We also work to encourage Seattle Parks to continue to provide resources to care for the areas of the park that we are not equipped to handle. We believe that a dedicated community of citizen volunteers doing our part can do a lot to keep the city's attention focused on the unique resource that is Dead Horse Canyon.

 
 

What We’ve Achieved

  • Over the years the Friends of DHC have gradually restored most of the west side of the canyon and some of the east side as well. The landscape you see as you walk along the trail today is the result of years of work by dedicated volunteers and offers some of the best restored natural areas in all of Seattle's parks.

  • We continue to maintain these restored areas with occasional weeding and planting as needed.

  • We are now busy restoring other areas of the park not served by the pedestrian trail. Each third Saturday work party results in newly cleaned areas that will soon be replanted.

  • We are currently working with the City of Seattle to find alternatives that will address the need to maintain the sewer line that runs beneath the trail and improve erosion control and salmon habitat in Taylor Creek while preserving the current condition of the park and trail.

  • We are looking toward future climate conditions and selecting species of plants that will be better suited to survive changes in the climate and maintain the healthy state of the Canyon.

  • We have always maintained a focus on staying safe and having fun with our work parties. After more than two decades, we're still having fun!