Green Seattle Partnership Named UN World Restoration Flagship

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Green Seattle Partnership Named UN World Restoration Flagship

Seattle’s efforts to restore its urban forests have received international recognition, with the Green Seattle Partnership named one of the United Nations’ 2026 World Restoration Flagships.

The designation recognizes the partnership’s work bringing together community groups, city agencies, volunteers and restoration professionals to protect and restore Seattle’s forested parklands while connecting residents with nature.

The United Nations announced the recognition on October 29 during the UN Biodiversity Conference, known as COP17, in Yerevan, Armenia. Green Seattle Partnership was one of eight ecosystem restoration initiatives worldwide selected for the 2026 distinction, and one of three cities ever to receive the award.

Two decades of restoring Seattle’s urban forests

Established 20 years ago, the Green Seattle Partnership focuses on restoring natural areas affected by invasive plants and the pressures of urban development.

According to the United Nations, the partnership has already restored approximately 831 hectares of land — about 98% of its 2030 restoration target of 850 hectares. Its work has also included planting 1.5 million native plants and mobilizing a comparable number of volunteer hours.

The initiative combines hands-on restoration with community participation. Residents, schools and volunteer groups take part in activities such as removing invasive vegetation, planting native species and caring for recovering forest areas.

Training and opportunities for residents

Beyond environmental restoration, the partnership supports workforce development and community involvement.

Its programs provide job training and career pathways for young people and adults, while helping residents develop skills in environmental stewardship. By 2030, the initiative is projected to train 494 Forest Stewards and engage 384 young people in job-training and career-exploration programs.

Seattle joined the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration in 2023 through Generation Restoration, an effort connecting cities working to improve biodiversity and restore natural environments.

Part of a global restoration effort

The World Restoration Flagships program is part of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, led by the United Nations Environment Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization.

The program recognizes ambitious, long-term restoration projects and supports global commitments to restore one billion hectares of degraded ecosystems by 2030.

The 2026 honorees also include initiatives in China, Colombia, Ethiopia and Italy, among others.

For Seattle, the recognition highlights how a citywide partnership can combine environmental restoration, volunteer participation and community-based programs to support healthier urban ecosystems.