Environmental Organizations in the Community

Explore local organizations promoting environmental justice and sustainability, focusing on education, food systems, water, ecosystems, energy, and policy.

Seattle city skyline at sunset shot from Kerry Park.

The following local, community organizations promote environmental justice and sustainability.

  • Islandwood is a 225-acre outdoor learning center located on Bainbridge Island designed to provide exceptional learning experiences and inspire lifelong environmental and community stewardship. 
  • Facing the Future creates tools for educators that equip and motivate students to develop critical thinking skills, build global awareness and engage in positive solutions for a sustainable future.
  • Wilderness Awareness School, an environmental education organization based in Duvall, Washington, is dedicated to caring for the earth and our children by fostering understanding of nature, community and self.
  • Pacific Science Center inspires a lifelong interest in science, math and technology by engaging diverse communities through interactive and innovative exhibits and programs.
  • Environmental Education Association of Washington is Washington’s professional association for environmental and sustainability educators and stakeholders.
  • North Cascades Institute strives to connect people to the natural and cultural history of the Pacific Northwest through hands-on learning opportunities.
  • EarthCorps offers educational and community service opportunities to restore parks, forests, shorelines and trails in the Puget Sound area 
     
  • Puget Sound Sage In the video below, Dimitri Groce discusses the ways in which climate change will disproportionately impact neighborhoods in Seattle and how people of color will lead the environmental justice movement. Puget Sound Sage brings together labor, faith, and community to build an economy based on shared prosperity.
  • Environmental Coalition of South Seattle (ECOSS) encourages urban redevelopment and a healthy environment by providing education, resources, and technical assistance to diverse businesses and communities in the Puget Sound region.
  • EPA Region 10 EJ Program plans and designs EJ implementation in a way that can be tracked and measured to illustrate progress region-wide.
  • Got Green is a South Seattle based grassroots organization that raises the voices of low income communities and communities of color in the green movement.
  • Environment & Equity Initiative is a collaboration between the city of Seattle and the community to create an Environmental Action Agenda centered on equity.
  • EPA Environmental Justice Program  is the region 10 EJ program, which includes the Pacific Northwest, works with and gives grants to local organizations, universities, communities, and government agencies that are involved with work focusing on environmental justice. 
     
  • Food Lifeline is a nonprofit that recovers leftover and excess food from restaurants and business and distributes them to the community to provide nutritious food to hungry, low-income people.
  • Seattle Tilth teaches adults and kids how to grow food, compost, garden organically, raise urban livestock, and conserve natural resources.
  • Green Plate Special engages ethnically diverse, middle-school youth through hands-on learning in growing, cooking, and eating healthy, tasty food. See the video here!  
  • FareStart is a culinary job training and placement program for homeless and disadvantaged individuals.
  • Urban Food Link works with communities to create a fair, vibrant regional food system that connects people to healthy food.
  • Beacon Hill Food Forest is an edible urban forest garden that inspires the Beacon Hill community to gather together, grow their own food, and rehabilitate the local ecosystem.
  • Solid Ground is a multi-service agency committed to eliminating poverty through housing, transportation, advocacy and food programs 
     
  • Green Seattle Partnership is a collaboration between volunteers and entities in the city of Seattle who work to restore and maintain city parks. 
  • Duwamish Alive Coalition is a community effort to protect the Duwamish River Watershed. 
  • Forterra protects, enhances, and acts as a steward for our region’s most precious resources—its communities and its landscapes.
  • Earth Corps builds a global community of leaders through local environmental service.
  • Marine Conservation Institute works with scientists, politicians, government officials, and other organizations around the world to protect essential ocean places and the wild species in them.
  • Conservation Northwest works to restore and protect the natural habitats of the Pacific Northwest.
  • NW Energy Coalition is an alliance of environmental, civic, and human service organizations, progressive utilities, and businesses in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and British Columbia. 
  • Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility Located in Ellensburg, WA, this is one of the largest solar-power installations in the Northwest, and is Puget Sound Energy’s largest wind turbine facility. 
  • Northwest Energy Efficiency Council is a business association that promotes policies and programs that enhance market opportunities for energy efficiency.
  • Northwest SEED works to establish a clean, diverse, and affordable Northwest energy system based on efficient use of renewable resources, with maximum local control and ownership of energy assets.
  • Solar Washington is a nonprofit organization working to advance the solar industry in our state.
  • Center for Environmental Law and Policy brings its water law expertise to help citizen groups and tribes throughout Washington protect their rivers, streams and aquifers.
  • Climate Solutions works to accelerate practical and profitable solutions to global warming by galvanizing leadership, growing investment and bridging divides.
  • Earth Ministry is committed to engaging the Christian community in environmental stewardship and environmental advocacy.
  • The Lands Council preserves and revitalizes Inland Northwest forests, water, and wildlife through advocacy, education, effective action, and community engagement.
  • Washington Environmental Council leads a state-wide effort of leading groups pushing for improved protections for the health of people, land, air and water of Washington.