King County Parks estimates that about 25,000 of our 28,000 acres of open space are covered by forests. In some places, our forests are vast canopies of big ol’ evergreens, loads of ferns, and happy critters all around.

Many times, however, our forests have had a checkered past. They became “ours” because the land had been logged a long time ago or was about to be logged and built on, spurring King County to step in and protect the land to keep it in its natural state.

So this means that our forests generally need some TLC to transform them into those verdant PNW forests that we all love…those lush green forests that do so much good for our air, water, and salmon (not to mention you and me too!).

We here at King County Parks map out this ‘forest TLC’ through Forest Stewardship Plans, which focus on achieving healthy, resilient forests and guide our long-term efforts to take care of the land and how we enjoy it.

Right now, we’re starting this process for three of our parks in the Black Diamond area: Black Diamond Open Space (BDOS), Ravensdale Retreat Natural Area, and Henry’s Ridge Open Space.

Join us at an upcoming community meeting and help shape our efforts to care for some of your favorite forests! Read the press release here.

Meeting #1
Wed, Nov 30
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Tahoma Junior High School Commons
25600 SE Summit Landsburg Rd

Meeting #2
Wed, Jan 11
6 – 8:30 p.m.
Tahoma Junior High School Commons
25600 SE Summit Landsburg Rd

Can’t make it, but want to keep up-to-date on what’s happening at our parks in the Black Diamond area? Sign up for our BDOS e-news here!