Green Tacoma Day is an annual day of service that offers great opportunities for the Tacoma community to get to know each other and our local green spaces. This year’s celebration will be on Saturday, October 12, 2024, from 9 AM to noon. Participants are encouraged to take individual actions and participate in volunteer activities to help protect and restore natural spaces in their neighborhoods.
Green Tacoma Day Lead-Up Event
Tree Tour At Wright Park (September 26,
6 – 7:00 PM)
Join certified arborists for a tree
tour where we will explore some of the park’s most beautiful and unique trees! The
tour will cover topics related to tree management in busy urban areas, climate
change resiliency and impacts, pests and pathogens, and more. Questions are
welcomed and encouraged! This event will be followed by an optional social
gathering at Cider and Cedar (744 Market St., Tacoma, WA). Please RSVP.
Green Tacoma Day 2024 Sites
China Lake Open Space
Join the City of Tacoma for a community restoration day at China Lake! This event is open to everyone, as we work together to care for the neighborhood green space. We'll start with a tree walk to learn about local plants, followed by hands-on activities like weeding, mulching, and planting. Whether you’re experienced or it’s your first time, your participation is valued. Let’s come together to nurture our green spaces and build neighborhood connections. All ages and skill levels are welcome.
qʷiqʷəlut Open Space
Join the City of Tacoma and Tacoma350 at qÊ·iqÊ·É™lut—a unique little salt marsh surrounded by industry down in the Tacoma tideflats. Come learn about the history of the site and then help clear invasive weeds, install some native plants, and engage with others interested in protecting urban natural areas!
McKinley Overlook
Come plant with a view of the Tacoma skyline! Join Pierce Conservation District to help install native plants, trees, and wildflower seeds in the new garden beds at McKinley Overlook. Check out the new walking path, meet new neighbors and friends, and admire the vista while helping to create valuable urban wildlife habitat and green up Tacoma.
Lincoln Heights Park
What does restoring and caring for Tacoma's green spaces look like to you and your community? Join Tacoma Tree Foundation and community partners to explore family centered activities and adopt trees to expand your home's green space. Register as a volunteer to support the event or stop by on Green Tacoma Day with your friends and family to enjoy this local green space celebration!
Adrianna Hess Wetland Park
Tahoma Bird Alliance works to enhance the Adrianna Hess Wetland to benefit a large diversity of birds and wildlife. Join us in improving our pollinator gardens around the bird feeders and removing invasive plants from the wetland.
UW Tacoma MicroForest Site
Join the University of Washington Tacoma on Green Tacoma Day as we unveil our exciting MicroForest project! Participate in a planting event and enjoy guided tours of Milgard Hall's eye-opening timber exhibit. Only a small number of volunteers needed, but tours are open to all!
Clover Park Technical College Flett Outdoor Lab
Volunteers joining us on CPTC’s Flett Outdoor Lab for habitat stewardship will help remove invasive species such as scotch broom and Himalayan blackberry, along with possibly seeding and planting native species (appropriate weather conditions permitting). It is also a great opportunity to network and build community with others interested in habitat restoration.
Safeway at 56th and Park Ave
Join us to remove ivy and help our south Tacoma trees! The South End Neighborhood Council needs your help clearing ivy from the trees and green spaces around the grocery store at 56th and Park Ave. You'll see the progress on the mural SENCO is installing at the site, meet your South Tacoma neighbors, and improve the health of the trees. We all know how much we need them!
Wright Park
Be a part of something big by coming together with friends, family, and neighbors to plant trees at Wright Park! Your help will contribute to cleaner air, cooler temperatures, and improved habitat for wildlife. Join Metro Parks for a fun and fulfilling day of tree planting and let's grow a legacy of green together! Tools, training, and snacks provided. Questions, please contact desiree.kennedy@tacomaparks.com.
Browns Point Playfield
Steward the Earth and connect with your community by celebrating Green Tacoma Day at Browns Point Playfield with Metro Parks! Lend a hand in restoring the natural area of the park by removing invasive species, mulching, and planting native species!
Swan Creek Park
Join Metro Parks on the Eastside at Swan Creek as we expand the pollinator prairie installed last year! You can help us add color and canopy to the park by planting native pollinators, and sapling White oak trees! Tools, training, snacks, and refreshments will be provided. Please email any questions to kevin.johnson@tacomaparks.com.
Fabulich Center
Washington State University and The Port of Tacoma recently partnered to plant ‘sentinel trees’ to monitor for the potential introduction of new tree pests and diseases. Join researchers and ecologists on October 12th to learn about and help care for the site and trees. Volunteers are primarily needed to help move and spread mulch, but other task may include installing tree stakes, removing weeds, and planting trees or shrubs.
Spanaway Park
Trick-Or-Tree! Pierce County Parks is giving away free one-gallon native trees at Spanaway Park. We’ll have species such as Douglas-fir and quaking aspen which are beautiful, fast growing, and easy to grow even with a brown thumb. No volunteers needed, just come by and grab a tree!
Looking for opportunities to participate, but need an option other than a restoration work party or planting?
Check out the events at these locations:
Lincoln Heights Park,
UW T’s MicroForest Site
Spanaway Park tree Giveaway
Additionally, Strategic Nature, LLC is hosting the Healing Connections: Nature and Wellness Community Symposium on October 11 and 12.