Community, non-profits, and government are collaborating to take action on community and health priorities through an innovative green solution located at the South Park Branch of The Seattle Public Library (8604 8th Ave S, 98108).

To reduce the impact of air pollution, the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition/Technical Advisory Group (DRCC/TAG), and Just Health Action (JHA) are partnering with the South Park Branch to install 7 artistic green wall panels, each 3 feet wide by 5 feet tall, creating a free standing vegetated trellis system.

When fully grown in, these panels of green leaves will filter the particulates passing through it and absorb air pollution. In addition, these climbing vines and native plants will provide habitat and beautify areas while simultaneously providing water quality benefits.

The historically industrial neighborhood in the South end of Seattle has long dealt with environmental hazards and health issues stemming from misuse by industry. Zip Code 98108, home to the Duwamish Valley, has the worst air pollution in the city of Seattle and the neighborhoods of South Park and Georgetown include the highest hospitalization rates for childhood asthma, as highlighted in the Cumulative Health Impacts Analysis published by JHA and DRCC/TAG in 2013.

The Duwamish Valley community continually identifies addressing air pollution as a top health priority. Based on this, DRCC/TAG, JHA, project partners, and the community worked together to gather information on the sources of air pollution and take action to reduce residents’ exposure to air pollution through the Duwamish Community Action for Clean Air project, funded by the U.S. EPA Environmental Justice Cooperative Problem Solving Agreement (EJCPSA).

Installation and Inauguration Day!

On Saturday, April 8th, at 11 am the community and others are invited to our installation ceremony. The Duwamish Valley Youth Corps will be on site planting climbing vines and spreading mulch. The Youth Corps have been learning about air pollution and taking action in the community to reduce it, including planting trees, building and distributing home air filters, and educating community members.