SUN Interactive Habitat Map

Go to the Interactive Habitat Map

What does the map do?
Who should use the map?
Why is the map important?
Where does the information come from?
How does the map work?
What next?

What does the map do?

Shows all public parks and open spaces in Seattle- see what’s in your neighborhood!
Shows all habitat types found in Seattle parks and open spaces
Shows dominant plant species found in each habitat type by common and scientific name, including cover estimates
Shows summaries of where most invasive species, native species and different forest types are found
Shows the distribution of EVERY plant species in the map (Now that’s a LOT of information!)
Shows the location of Green Seattle Partnership (GSP) restoration sites throughout the city
Uses a Google Maps Interface so both streets and air photos can be viewed

Who should use the map?

This map is for forest stewards, land managers and anyone working to restore parks and open spaces. The information summarizing habitat types and plant species distributions can help prioritize restoration activities, and act as baseline data for monitoring habitat conditions in the future. The map is also for:

Bird watchers, outdoor enthusiasts and anyone interested in learning more about Seattle parks
Anyone who wants to know where certain species of plants can be found
Anyone with an interest in a specific Seattle Park
Anyone who wants to find the hidden gems in your neighborhood as many of the open spaces aren’t found on the city’s park website

Why is the map important?

This map provides a comprehensive inventory of all habitats and plant species on public lands in Seattle. This information provides the foundation for making informed management decisions and encouraging informed citizens about the state of urban forests. Just as a doctor uses x-rays and scans to understand the health of a patient, quantitative habitat information, such as this map, helps us understand, manage and treat the health of our forests. We believe this map can:

Provide free information to anyone, anywhere
Support management decisions
Serve as a tool for community groups restoring urban forests
Facilitate community understanding and ownership of public spaces

Additionally, urban forests provide many ecosystem services such as clean air and water, retention of storm water runoff, and absorption of greenhouse gases to help combat global climate change, but are increasingly disappearing or being taken over by invasive species.

Where does this information come from?

The data come from Seattle Urban Nature’s 1999-2000 habitat survey. Learn more about the data and where it came from on our background page.

How does it work?

The map uses a Google map interface. For more information on navigation, please visit the help page.

What next?

This map is only the beginning… SUN and our partners envision a map that:

Includes habitat data from other cities in the Puget Sound region
Includes data from other organizations (like Audubon bird counts)
Includes private property (such as National Wildlife Federation or USFW backyard certified homes)
Includes the location of restoration sites in surrounding cities
Shows change over time- what Seattle used to look like, how we are doing now and what type of habitat we envision in the future!
And the list goes on…

Support SUN

Contribute to SUN on-line and off!


Services Ecological GIS & GPS Training Projects Current Past Publications Publications Newsletters Interactive Habitat Map Interactive Habitat Map Background Habitat Key Habitat Descriptions Download Maps Interactive Habitat Map Background Habitat Key Habitat Descriptions Download Maps Opportunities Contribute Wish List Volunteer Jobs Press Supporters About Us History People Events Home	SUN Interactive Habitat Map Go to the Interactive Habitat Map What does the map do? Who should use the map? Why is the map important? Where does the information come from? How does the map work? What next? What does the map do? Shows all public parks and open spaces in Seattle- see what’s in your neighborhood! Shows all habitat types found in Seattle parks and open spaces Shows dominant plant species found in each habitat type by common and scientific name, including cover estimates Shows summaries of where most invasive species, native species and different forest types are found Shows the distribution of EVERY plant species in the map (Now that’s a LOT of information!) Shows the location of Green Seattle Partnership (GSP) restoration sites throughout the city Uses a Google Maps Interface so both streets and air photos can be viewed Who should use the map? This map is for forest stewards, land managers and anyone working to restore parks and open spaces. The information summarizing habitat types and plant species distributions can help prioritize restoration activities, and act as baseline data for monitoring habitat conditions in the future. The map is also for: Bird watchers, outdoor enthusiasts and anyone interested in learning more about Seattle parks Anyone who wants to know where certain species of plants can be found Anyone with an interest in a specific Seattle Park Anyone who wants to find the hidden gems in your neighborhood as many of the open spaces aren’t found on the city’s park website Why is the map important? This map provides a comprehensive inventory of all habitats and plant species on public lands in Seattle. This information provides the foundation for making informed management decisions and encouraging informed citizens about the state of urban forests. Just as a doctor uses x-rays and scans to understand the health of a patient, quantitative habitat information, such as this map, helps us understand, manage and treat the health of our forests. We believe this map can: Provide free information to anyone, anywhere Support management decisions Serve as a tool for community groups restoring urban forests Facilitate community understanding and ownership of public spaces Additionally, urban forests provide many ecosystem services such as clean air and water, retention of storm water runoff, and absorption of greenhouse gases to help combat global climate change, but are increasingly disappearing or being taken over by invasive species. Where does this information come from? The data come from Seattle Urban Nature’s 1999-2000 habitat survey. Learn more about the data and where it came from on our background page. How does it work? The map uses a Google map interface. For more information on navigation, please visit the help page. What next? This map is only the beginning… SUN and our partners envision a map that: Includes habitat data from other cities in the Puget Sound region Includes data from other organizations (like Audubon bird counts) Includes private property (such as National Wildlife Federation or USFW backyard certified homes) Includes the location of restoration sites in surrounding cities Shows change over time- what Seattle used to look like, how we are doing now and what type of habitat we envision in the future! And the list goes on… Seattle Urban Nature 206.522.0334 5218 University Way NE Seattle, WA 98105	Support SUN Contribute to SUN on-line and off!