Mission
Seattle Nature Alliance advocates for preserving Seattle’s natural areas for passive recreation, wildlife habitat, and scenic beauty. We aim to facilitate discussions and actions among stakeholders to protect these spaces and serve as a collective voice for preserving nature for the benefit of all.

Activities
We take stands, issue positions, initiate actions, organize events, and endorse causes to protect our natural areas.

Legally speaking
Seattle Nature Alliance is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. All donations and membership fees are tax-deductible. We are registered as a charitable organization with the State of Washington and operate as volunteers.

Our organization formed in 2012 in response to a proposal to allow a commercial zipline in Lincoln Park’s mature forest. The community’s outrage highlighted the need for informed, active participation in preserving Seattle’s natural areas. That’s why we exist.

Who we are

I’m Denise Dahn, an artist/writer/designer with a background in environmental studies. I am the owner of  Dahn Design, LLC, a company that for over 25 years has specialized in design, illustration, research, text and production of interpretive signs for public lands nationwide. My work communicates aspects of nature, history and culture in a way that is delightful, informative, and thought-provoking.

I am a Seattle native and have a Bachelors Degree from the University of Washington, where I majored in Geography/Environmental Studies and studied painting and drawing.

In the summer of 2012, I launched my blog, where I share my art and writing about nature and the world. Contact me on my website.

My name is Mark Ahlness. I was an elementary school teacher for 31 years, until I hung up my erasers several years ago. I was a pioneer in educational technology in the mid-late nineties, creating one of the first school websites in the world. While teaching there I developed and still run the Earth Day Groceries Project. You can find my most current bio there.

I love birdwatching! While I was a third grade teacher my classroom had the honor of naming one of the baby peregrine falcons at the very first online bird cam here. For a look into what interests me in the natural world, check out my Flickr page.

I live in West Seattle, with my wife and a cat. Contact me at mark@seattlenaturealliance.org

My name is Rebecca Watson. As a Pacific Northwest native, I have seen how the natural world we treasure can quickly disappear due to shortsighted decisions that benefit the few over the well-being of all. I believe human beings have a deep-rooted, connection to nature. Not only do we all have an obligation to preserve and protect nature’s splendor, but we also need to make sure everyone has equal access to the wild.

I studied art at Western Washington University (BA, BFA – Painting / Drawing / Printmaking) and Claremont Graduate University (MFA – Sculpture/Installation). Nature’s intersection with culture has always been important to my artwork.

My partner and I started Sempervivus Art & Design in the early nineties, where our work focused on garden/landscape design with an emphasis on educating the homeowner about environmentally sustainable gardening practices.  Later our business evolved to encompass a wide range of creative endeavors. I have worked as an artist-in-residence and as a project manager and designer on a variety of garden, exhibit, web and graphic design projects. A self-taught geek, I shifted to what I thought was a ‘short sabbatical from self-employment’ and an opportunity to learn more about the digital world. I worked as a Web and Instructional Designer at Seattle University. I currently work for King County as a User Experience designer with the Design and Civic Engagement team. In addition to my work with the Seattle Nature Alliance, I volunteer for the Urban Raptor Conservancy.

I live in West Seattle, share my life with my best friend Darwin, and various other flora, fauna and friends. Contact me at: rebecca@seattlenaturealliance.org

Seattle Nature Alliance Members

Gordon Adams Mark Ahlness Mike Arizona * Kerry Bair * Sharon Baker * John Barber Caren Beecher Janice & James Borrow * Amy and John Bradley * Marv Breece Kelly Brenner Melody Brutscher Mary Bryan Joreen Califano * Elaine Chuang Linda Yeabsley Clark Kathleen Craig Denise Dahn Richard Dahn Karen De Jongh Rory Denovan * Beth DeRooy Claire Dole Janice Duncan * Michelle Ellis-Bevil * Jean Fallow Joseph Fanelli Mary Fleck * Alicia Freyman *

Cara Friang Dean and Penelope Granholm * Sharon Hansen Lyanda Haupt Patricia Havens Janeanne Houston Darrell Howe Dianne Iverson Lynn Johnson Valorie Johnson Kathryn Ann Kavanaugh Shana Kelly Jenica Knapp * Valorie Johnson Kathryn Ann Kavanaugh Shana Kelly Jenica Knapp * Walter Kuciej Betty Laughlin & Pierre LaRochelle Jonathan Mark * Peter Mason * Wanda Mason Lisa McGinty * John McNulty * Bonnie Miller Louis Mills

Ria Montana Barbara Naess * Mark Naess * Ralph Naess * Vreni Naess * Darwin Nordin Amie Pearl and Tony Heimeyer Judy Pickens Plant Amnesty Jennifer Pramuk Charissa Raynor Toni Reineke Carolyn Righi Lawrence Rodman * Susan Roth Michael Ruby Whitney Showalter Olivia Skwiercz Kate Spiller Suzanne and Aria Tiedeman Frances Tromp van Holst * Michael Truog Kristina Watson * Rebecca Watson Weybright Weybright * Ruth Williams Barbara Zegar

* family membership

Stay in touch with us on the Website, Facebook, and Email.

(see Membership to join)