Shadow Lake
Welcome to the Shadow Lake Nature Preserve's Traditional Foods Forest Project!
This initiative is part of our ongoing commitment to ecological restoration, cultural education, and sustainable community engagement. Situated on land with a rich history and diverse ecosystem, this project aims to enhance biodiversity and reconnect people with traditional, sustainable food systems.
About the Preserve
Shadow Lake Nature Preserve spans 114 acres of permanently protected wetlands, bogs, and upland habitats in Southeast King County. Historically a dumping ground, the area has been transformed into a thriving natural space through community-driven restoration efforts. Since its establishment in 1995, the preserve has become a hub for environmental education and conservation, honoring its Salish heritage and the many species it supports.
The area known today as Shadow Lake Nature Preserve is ceded from Muckleshoot land, which was occupied freely by Salish peoples until the Treaties of Medicine Creek (1854-55). In 1995, Shadow Lake was founded by Max and Erin, who took it upon themselves to acquire the 18-acre wetland and begun restoring it.
The Traditional Foods Forest Project
This restoration initiative is designed to reintroduce and cultivate native plants that have long supported the food, medicinal, and cultural traditions of the Pacific Northwest’s Indigenous peoples and communities. The project focuses on creating a diverse, resilient habitat that benefits both wildlife and humans.
Key Features
Native Plants: The forest will include species such as salmonberry, elderberry, thimbleberry, nettle, and Indian plum. These plants have traditional uses ranging from medicine to food preparation.
Paired Plantings: Complementary species will be planted together, such as miner’s lettuce with water parsnip, to enhance soil health and create sustainable growth systems.
Edible and Medicinal Uses: Many plants, like devil’s club and stinging nettle, have significant cultural and nutritional value, ensuring the garden serves both ecological and educational purposes.
The Traditional Foods Forest is a living tribute to the interconnectedness of culture, nature, and community. It’s not just about restoring land—it’s about cultivating knowledge, history, and a sustainable future.
2000: Eagle Scout project to construct bench
2005: Amphibian pond platform created
2007: Benches on Boardwalk trail created
2011: Bridge to Woods Trail constructed
2018: Natural Heritage Advisory Council voted to include the Shadow Lake bog in the Washington
Register of Natural Areas
2019: Over 1,000 trees planted in spring and 3,000 square feet of Himalayan blackberry thickets
removed for Uplands Restoration Project
2022: Strategic Plan created for 2022 – 2025
