It’s hard to believe, but 2025 is already winding down and the new year will be here before we know it! With each year’s end, we like to pause and reflect on some of the accomplishments that have taken place across the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area over the past 12 months. From new parks and trails, to important restoration work, educational initiatives, land acquisitions, and more — our partners have collectively accomplished so much to conserve and enhance this incredible landscape.

We’ll be celebrating many of these accomplishments at our Annual Dinner on November 8, and while it’s impossible to fully acknowledge every worthy person and accomplishment, we invite you to read on, and be amazed as we look back together at some bright spots from 2025!

Rattlesnake Mountain Scenic Area Acquisition

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources, in partnership with King County, acquired 167 acres on the flank of Rattlesnake Mountain with grant funding from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program and King County Conservation Futures Tax. Protecting these lands as public forest improves wildlife habitat, connects public recreation lands, and protects the forested viewshed of the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Scenic Byway along Interstate 90.

Youth Heritage Project

The Washington Trust for Historic Preservation hosted their 12th annual Youth Heritage Project, a historic preservation internship, this summer. We were especially honored to have this unique, immersive, and free, high school summer program take place within the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area. YHP focused on the Snoqualmie and North Bend region, and students learned about the various people who have lived in and shaped the area—from the origins of the Snoqualmie People to European settlers who significantly altered the landscape through major industries and infrastructure development. Thank you to the Washington Trust for their work to engage younger and more diverse audiences in historic preservation.

Tiger Summit Trailhead Renovation

The Tiger Summit Trailhead was renovated this summer and fall to improve access for mountain bikers, equestrians, and hikers. The original trailhead was constructed more than 30 years ago and was no longer suitable for the increased popularity of recreation at this site. The new trailhead provides more than 160 parking spots, including accessible spaces, and six equestrian trailer spaces. The site re-design also added gathering areas, a horse mounting ramp, restrooms, and access to trails.

The trees that were harvested during construction were used by DNR’s Large Wood Supply Initiative to provide logs with root balls for in-stream restoration at Issaquah Creek.

The trailhead renovation was funded by Washington State capital funds, the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program and the Nonhighway and Off-Road Vehicle Activities program, both managed by the Washington Recreation and Conservation Office.

Tulalip Tribes Skyline Project (Snoqualmie Forest Acquisition)

This video shows the work of the Tulalip Tribes in their forest acquisition of project Skyline, called Return the Land. Nearly 18,000 acres near Carnation, Washington will now be a working forest guided by the traditional stewardship knowledge of the Tulalip Tribes, ensuring the preservation of their ways of life for future generations. After nearly 170 years of landscape change across this region, this acquisition represents a returning of land to strengthen their culture and open up opportunities for habitat restoration and revenue generation for tribal initiatives.

Snoqualmie Valley Trail Directional Signs

Wayfinding along the Snoqualmie Valley Trail through the City of Carnation and Fall City got a bit easier this summer thanks to 18 new directional and right-of-way signs installed through a partnership with the City of Carnation, Fall City Parks District, King County, and the Greenway Trust. These wayfinding signs are part of a regional initiative to direct visitors safely to and from the Snoqualmie Valley Regional Trail and main streets in the cities and towns, with funding provided by King County.

State Route 18 and Interstate 90 Interchange and Land Acquisition

The Washington State Department of Transportation opened a brand new “diverging diamond” interchange at State Route 18 and I-90 this year. This new infrastructure helps prevent traffic congestion, and also includes bicycle and pedestrian crossings through a busy convergence of two major highways in a forested corridor. And, King County purchased 11 acres of forest just northwest of the new interchange. Protecting this key property has been a priority for more than 20 years to help protect the character of the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Scenic Byway. This public land acquisition was funded by King County’s Conservation Futures Tax and utilized the Jim Ellis Fund for Land Conservation in collaboration with the Trust for Public Land.

Middle Fork Snoqualmie Recreation and Volunteerism

The Mountains to Sound Greenway recreation team worked with more than 350 volunteers in the Middle Fork Snoqualmie Valley in 2025, completing dozens of much needed trailhead and trail maintenance projects at many popular sites. Improved access to Otter Falls and Lipsy Lake was completed with funding from the National Forest Foundation. Washington Trails Association brought volunteers to National Trails Day, and Conservation Northwest inaugurated Trailhead Ambassadors to encourage visitors to recreate responsibly and protect the spectacular Middle Fork Valley.

Kittitas Depot Restoration

In 2021, Washington State Parks began pursuing capital funding to restore the 1909 Milwaukee Road Depot in Kittitas. As one of the few remaining railroad structures along the Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail, the depot stood empty of everything but potential since the Milwaukee Road’s rail-to-trail conversion began in the 1980s. Trail advocates and railroad history enthusiasts strongly encouraged State Parks to prioritize its restoration, but the repair list was daunting! The depot needed a new foundation, repair and replacement of windows and doors, a new roof, installation of ADA compliant public restrooms, new electrical and plumbing systems, and of course a fresh coat of paint. Thanks to $1.5 million in state capital funding, all that work should be completed by Thanksgiving, and the Depot will open to Palouse to Cascades Trail users next spring!

Hutchinson Ranch River Conservation

Kittitas Conservation Trust acquired 235 acres of land for the protection and enhancement of critical fish and wildlife habitat along the Yakima River near Thorp, thanks to funding from the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program and Salmon Recovery Funding Board (both managed by the Recreation and Conservation Office), Department of Ecology Yakima Basin Integrated Plan, and McNary Fisheries Compensation Committee. The conservation area includes more than 1 mile of river frontage and incorporates 100-year floodplain, wetlands, and riparian forest, which provide critical habitat for steelhead, bull trout, Chinook, coho, and sockeye salmon, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout. Kittitas Conservation Trust will continue ecological restoration on this property.

Resilience Film Festival

Central Washington University hosted the first ever Greenway National Heritage Area Film Festival this September. This was a free film screening and expert panel discussion about resilience in local landscapes on the eastern half of the Greenway. The importance of restoring public lands and our relationships to them was highlighted in 11 short videos and a panel discussion featuring Greenway board members, Kittitas partner organizations, and Central Washington University faculty. The event served as an introduction to the National Heritage Area for Central’s community and as a launching point for volunteer stewardship in Kittitas.

Clean Water Ambassadors 10-Year Anniversary

This year marks 10 years of the Clean Water Ambassadors internship! This King County and Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust partnership created a high school internship program that teaches youth about water quality issues, environmental careers, and leadership skills. Interns visit project sites across the county to learn about water systems, develop professional skills, and teach lessons to younger students about water quality. This internship fosters the next generation of environmental stewards for the region. Learn More

Issaquah Creek Restoration at Lake Sammamish State Park

This summer, the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and Washington State Parks teamed up to complete in-stream restoration of Issaquah Creek in Lake Sammamish State Park, a project more than 20 years in the making and the largest in Greenway Trust history! By reconnecting the floodplain, adding 500+ pieces of large wood, and planting native trees, this work will boost water quality, create more space for fish to grow and rest, keep the water cooler, and help balance levels throughout the year — creating a better future for fish, other wildlife, and generations to come. Learn More

Great American Rail-Trail Influencer Tour

The Rails to Trails Conservancy toured the segment of the Great American Rail Trail through the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area in September! This tour highlighted the regional trail system as well as the gaps that need filling. Participants were joined by representatives from Washington Bikes, Cascade Bicycle Club, Leafline Trails Coalition, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, and partners across Washington to welcome a group of journalists and advocates on a tour of the Great American Rail-Trail from Cle Elum to downtown Seattle.

Save Coal Creek

Thanks to the Save Coal Creek effort, City of Bellevue, the Issaquah Alps Trails Club, the Trust for Public Land, and many supporters these 12 acres that could have become a housing development surrounded by forest have instead been purchased for public ownership by City of Bellevue and added to the Coal Creek Natural Area for both habitat recreation and recreation access. This acquisition utilized Jim Ellis Fund for Land Conservation and Conservation Futures Tax funds. Learn More

End of Summer Partner Retreat

As we approached the end of summer, the Greenway Trust, in partnership with the US Forest Service and Braided Seeds, gathered a group of our community partners at Denny Creek Campground for grounding and deep connection. This campout took place just after Labor Day, and the goal of the trip was to provide a space where outdoor leaders could come and relax, decompress, connect, and reflect on a busy season of programming as we transitioned into fall.

Plaque Honoring Jim Ellis

Mount Rainier Pool in Des Moines celebrated its 50th anniversary in September 2025 with a special dedication ceremony of a plaque honoring Jim Ellis. Built in 1975 as part of the regional Forward Thrust initiative, the pool has provided five decades of aquatic service to Des Moines and the wider South King County community through wellness, water safety and recreation programming.

The Des Moines Pool Board of Commissioners issued a proclamation in honor of Ellis, whose leadership helped create 17 public pools in King County and the district announced that the second Saturday of each year will now offer free community access to Mount Rainier Pool in his honor. Greenway advisor David Kappler spoke at the dedication about not being able to swim in polluted Lake Washington as a child, learning about Jim Ellis’ role in the Forward Thrust initiative that funded regional sewage treatment and provided clean water in the lake, and then working together with Jim Ellis on the Mountains to Sound Greenway for many years. Learn More

Seattle Waterfront Park

The city of Seattle opened Waterfront Park this year with an iconic overlook and steps from Pike Place Market down to the waterfront below, protected bike lanes, pedestrian promenades, stormwater capture so that pollutants from roads no longer wash into Puget Sound, and a brand new gathering place with beaches and gorgeous views. The newly-refurbished Seattle Aquarium and Washington State Ferry Terminal bring residents and visitors to this city destination. Accolades go to city staff, Friends of Waterfront Seattle, Seattle Center and community members.

The Redmond Central Connector

Redmond completed the 1.6-mile final phase of the Redmond Central Connector trail, an important multimodal link that will finally bridge Downtown Redmond with Eastrail, the Eastside’s longest walking and biking corridor. The third segment of the trail to open, the Connector now extends all the way north to NE 124th Street, where riders can either head toward Kirkland or Woodinville. The $8 million project was funded in part by state and federal grants, alongside a $1.1 million federal appropriation obtained by Congresswoman Suzan DelBene.

20 Years of the Green Seattle Partnership

In 2025, the Green Seattle Partnership celebrates its 20-year anniversary after setting out to restore and care for 2,500 acres of urban forest in partnership with individuals, neighbor groups, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and city government across more than 200 parks throughout the city. This year, Green Seattle Partnership celebrates accomplishments and looks to the future as they work to build resilient urban forests by removing invasive species, planting native trees and shrubs, and fostering long-term stewardship of natural areas.

Cedar River Property Conservation

Seattle Public Utilities is delighted to announce the successful acquisition of the 20-acre Helen Sherry property on the Cedar River. This parcel has been the subject of discussion and negotiation with the landowner for the last 14 years. The parcel is immediately contiguous and downstream of the 16-acre Upper Royal Arch Floodplain Reconnection Project completed in 2023. A terrific agreement that provides for a life-estate for Ms. Sherry to continue to live on a small upland area on the property made acquisition possible. SPU will commence planning for a large floodplain reconnection and stream channel restoration project later this year.

Lake to Sound Trail

King County Executive Shannon Braddock joined regional partners and community members to celebrate the opening of a new segment of the Lake to Sound Trail, completing two-thirds of a scenic, regional route that will ultimately run from the southern tip of Lake Washington to the Puget Sound shoreline. The newly opened section connects Burien and SeaTac to the existing Des Moines Creek Trail, creating more than seven miles of uninterrupted, non-motorized trail for walking, rolling, and biking. Once completed, the 16-mile Lake to Sound Trail will connect with four other regional trails, two Sound Transit Link light rail stations, the Sounder train, Metro’s RapidRide A Line, and Sea-Tac International Airport. Learn More

East Marginal Way and Georgetown to South Park Trails

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) opened a new bike path on the west side of East Marginal Way between the industrial Duwamish Waterway and the warehouses and railways in Sodo, separating bikes from heavy freight traffic for the first time, providing a safe and separated connection from downtown to West Seattle. Learn More

SDOT has also opened a new 1.8 mile trail from South Park to Georgetown, neighborhoods that lacked safe bike and pedestrian paths amidst heavy industry and heavy truck traffic, thanks to a multitude of community leaders and advocates. Learn More

Refuge Outdoor Festival

Refuge Outdoor Festival 2025 took place at Tolt-McDonald Park with a weekend of celebration, skill-building, and connection designed by and for the BIPOC community. The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust co-led a restoration workshop in partnership with the Snoqualmie Tribe this year. We had a wonderful time teaching people about the history of this landscape and providing context on why habitat restoration in this space helps create a more biodiverse and complex ecosystem.

Holly’s Noxious Weed Designation

In spring of 2025, common holly, Ilex aquifolium, was officially listed as a Class C noxious weed in the state of Washington. This listing will help provide resources to control common holly in natural areas, while still protecting commercial growers. Since first being proposed for listing in 2010, ongoing research and data was collected to help support the proposal and provide evidence of its invasiveness and extensive costs and difficulty of control. Many dedicated practitioners, concerned citizens, agencies, LLCs, and non-profits spent years advocating for this listing including the King County Noxious Weeds Control Program, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington State Parks, many County Noxious Weed Boards, Seattle Public Utilities, Bainbridge Island Land Trust, and others. Learn More

Activating Archives Through Community-Based Storytelling

Oral history is a powerful tool used throughout the Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area by heritage professionals and community members who seek to preserve stories and connect generations to their past, present, and future. However, building the skills to create inclusive, community-driven oral histories remains a challenge. To help foster more community-driven oral history projects, the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust collaborated with Trans Rural Lives and MOHAI’S Rainy Day History project to create a workshop for heritage professionals at the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation’s PLACES Conference in Gig Harbor. In this session, panelists explored lessons from their community-driven oral history projects that break oral histories out of their archives and give communities the tools to record their histories. From youth-led podcasts to events celebrating transgender experiences in rural areas, the workshop offered practical tools on how to pair academic rigor with creative facilitation to create connective programming.  

---

Want to stay in the loop about everything happening across the Greenway NHA? Make sure you’re on our e-newsletter list!