Shoreline Historical Museum Forest
Cultivating a natural legacy for the local community.
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Trees
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Native Species
Self sustaining pocket forest
Planted in December 2023, Shoreline Historical Museum Forest has transformed a previously barren yard into a pocket of native woodland. Developed through a community-led initiative, supported by the Shoreline Historical Museum and championed by the Miyawaki Forest Friends committee, the pocket forest celebrates the natural history of the region and the Indigenous relationships with the landscape, creating an outdoor exhibit that connects local heritage with ecological restoration.
Flowering plants such as lupines, camas (Camassia quamash), and dogwood have flowered and set seed, helping the native vegetation regenerate. This green space is now supporting an encouraging diversity of wildlife, with rabbits, worms, butterflies, and other pollinators making it their home. Despite a particularly hot and dry summer, the forest has continued to grow with minimal damage, showing promising signs of resilience. The pocket forest brings together local biodiversity, Indigenous heritage, and the importance of protecting the natural world.
Forest Maker
Ethan Bryson
Ecosystem Restored
After approximately three years our SUGi Pocket Forests become self-sustaining. They no longer require human maintenance or watering, and can be handed over to Nature for biodiversity and complexity to naturally develop.
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People living within 10 kilometers
Biodiversity
Biodiversity is all the different kinds of life you'll find in one area—the variety of animals, plants, fungi, and even microorganisms like bacteria that make up our natural world. Each of these species and organisms work together in ecosystems, like an intricate web, to maintain balance and support life.
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Urban Heat Profile
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Surface Temperature Difference
The Urban Heat Island Effect is affecting cities more and more each year and temperatures in urban areas can go up to 12 degrees hotter. This can be reduced and prevented by planting urban forests like this. We collected the air temperatures on a hot day in July at Shoreline Historical Museum Forest and saw amazing results.
Forest Report: 2025
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Average of Tallest 3 Trees
We are seeing that with such a dry and hot summer in Seattle many of the forests including older established forests are suffering. This forest has been growing very quickly with minimal damage from rabbits. Butterflies and pollinators have been enjoying the lupine, dogwood, and other flowers. Copious nodding onion, camas, and lupine seeds were produced in this forest which will help proliferate these native plants.
Biodiversity Notes:
“The Miyawaki Urban History Project is a community-driven idea developed by a group of people invested in preserving the natural world and highlighting Indigenous relationships to our landscapes. After resounding support around this project from the Board of Directors at the Shoreline Historical Museum, the Miyawaki Forest Friends committee are vocally advocating throughout our communities. Tabling at events, writing articles in our local papers and otherwise promoting the Miyawaki Forest is a clear demonstration of the value of community-based projects and the role it has in connecting people to an organization like the Shoreline Historical Museum.”
Kenneth Doutt, Executive Director, Shoreline Historical Museum
Forest Report: 2024
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Average of Tallest 3 Trees
In less than a year from planting, this forest has transformed a previously barren yard into a lush, green enclave with trees that tower people, with the tallest cottonwood trees standing at over three meters.
The forest is already home to a wide range of small animals, with rabbits, worms, and pollinators frequenting the forest grounds - as well as a great range of flowering plants, such as lupines, that bring a striking dash of color to the forest.
Biodiversity Notes:
Planting: December 2023
Native Species
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“These plants and numerous others have been used by our Duwamish ancestors and the Duwamish Tribe for thousands of years to feed and nurture us. Development has diminished their habitat and our access to them. Their absence has been felt by us, our native pollinators, birds, fish and aquatic life. We want to thank the Shoreline Historical Society for pursuing a native forest on our ancestral lands.”
Nancy Sackman, Cultural Preservation Officer
