You Did It…A Look Back at a Fantastic Year!
What a year to look back upon- the 20th Anniversary of the Greenway! Looking back at all the great work that was done in 2011 by partners, volunteers, agencies, and dedicated behind-the-scenes individuals, we take pride in what we have accomplished together. Take a look and see for yourself!
We are honored to share such an impressive list of accomplishments! A great big thank you to everyone who contributed to the Greenway vision this year and made this wonderful list possible. You are helping to create a better future for us all.
If you are heartened by this list but have not yet become a supporter of the Greenway, maybe your New Year’s resolution could be getting involved as a volunteer or supporting this great work through a tax-deductible donation?
Interpretive Kiosks: Interpreting the Greenway landscape just got a whole lot easier 
with the installation of 8 new kiosks across the Greenway providing information to the public about recreation, conservation, and local ecology. The kiosks were funded by the National Scenic Byways Program, Jim Ellis, Jones & Jones Architects, Landscape Architects and Planners, and the Trust for Public Land.
The Greenway Turns 20! The 20th Anniversary Trek celebrated the original 1990 March which inspired the original idea for the Mountains to Sound Greenway, and highlighted the tremendous amount of work that has been done so far. A big thank you to the Trekkers for helping launch the Greenway coalition into the next 20 years! If you have not yet seen our 20th Anniversary Reflections video it is well worth watching.
Amabilis Mountain and Keechelus Ridge Acquisitions: Near Snoqualmie Pass, 247
acres along the Keechelus Ridge and 480 acres at Amabilis Mountain were protected this year. Thanks to Forterra, these lands will conserve key habitat for wolverine, spotted owl, cougar, bear, and wolf near the wildlife bridges project on I-90, helping restore and maintain north-south migration corridors in the Cascades.
Cougar Mountain Acquisition: Forty acres on the north flank of Cougar Mountain were acquired, expanding the Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park. This has been a long-time Greenway priority for view preservation and new trail connections. Additionally a new 13-acre King County Park connector between Cougar and Squak Mountains was completed.
Trail Gap Segment Completed: The trail between the Mountains to Sound Trail on I-90 and a bridge over I-5 near Jose Rizal Park was completed, adding to the local and regional trail system.
Eastgate Trail Grant: The Greenway Trust, with help from CH2M HILL, has secured a National Scenic Byways grant for a 3-mile connector trail through the Eastgate area of Bellevue.
Carnation Marsh Natural Area: The Audubon Society donated 90 acres of prime migratory and year-round bird habitat to King County. King County acquired an additional 19 acres this year.
Issaquah Creek Restoration: Greenway volunteers planted over 13,000 native trees and
shrubs at Lake Sammamish State Park this year which improves wildlife habitat and helps combat climate change. Carter Motors planted the 45,000thtree funded through their “On the Road to Carbon Neutral” campaign started in 2008. Thank you Carter!
Tiger Mountain Acquisition: The City of Issaquah acquired 140 acres on the forested west flank of Tiger Mountain. This conservation milestone will help preserve forest where development had been planned.
Alaskan Way South Bicycle Trail: The City of Seattle built a new trail along the west side of Alaskan Way South as part of the Viaduct replacement project.
I-90 Wildlife Underpasses: Two wildlife underpasses have been built just east of Snoqualmie Pass. The first wildlife overcrossing is being designed. These connections allow for animal migration across I-90 and will help improve traffic safety.
Yakima Basin Environmental Education Program: The program brought over 1600 Central Washington students on field trips to view spawning salmon along the Cle Elum River.
Taylor Mountain Forest Acquisition: Just over 40 acres of forest will be added to King County’s Taylor Mountain Forest thanks to funding from Conservation Futures, King County Parks Expansion Levy, and the WA Department of Natural Resources.
Snoqualmie River Restoration: The Snoqualmie Tribe has undertaken a major ecological restoration project along the river in Fall City to improve salmon and wildlife habitat.
Family Tree Farm Protected: Thanks to Forterra, 15 acres of forest were protected, shielding this family farm from development pressure.
Reecer Creek floodplain restoration: It’s been 14 years in the making but this restoration near Ellensburg opened up nearly 4,000 ft of creek that was once confined by a levee, improving salmon habitat and protecting nearby homes from seasonal flooding.
Carnation Farmland Conservation: Thanks to funding from the Conservation Futures Tax, the Farmlands Preservation Program, and the State Recreation and Conservation office, 141 acres of farmland near Carnation were protected from development.
Logging Roads to Mountain Bike Trails: Over 6 miles of former logging roads near the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River were converted to mountain bike 
trails. This multi-year project is a collaborative effort between the US Forest Service and the Greenway Trust, with funding from the State Recreation and Conservation Office, the National Forest Foundation, the US Forest Service, and the King County Biosolids Program.
Evans Creek Preserve: The City of Sammamish introduced a new 180-acre park that includes a segment of Evans Creek, large areas of wetlands, steep slopes, and open meadow areas and provides habitat for deer, black bears, hawks, songbirds, and beavers.
Renton Trail Segment: This new section of the Logan Ave Trail in Renton will help connect the Gene Coulon Memorial Beach Park to the Cedar River Trail.
Issaquah Bike and Pedestrian Bridge: This bridge allows bicyclists and pedestrians to cross I-90 at exit 15 and connects to the new SR 900 trail.
Fish Lake Road Repair: Culverts were repaired near Cle Elum in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest to improve drainage & water quality and to prevent erosion.
Manastash Ridge Acquisition: The Trust for Public Land acquired 640 acres in Kittitas County which will be owned and managed by the US Forest Service. This square mile checkerboard section contains a salmon-bearing stream.
Snoqualmie Tunnel Re-Opens! The 2.3-mile historic Milwaukee Road railway tunnel connects the east and west halves of the Greenway via the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. It was re-opened this year by Washington State Parks during the 20thAnniversary Trek.
