Kirkland helps grow green shorelines program

A beautiful view of the lake from a stunning natural shoreline.

On a beautiful morning in early May, the city of Kirkland announced it would be the first Washington community to sign up as a Green Shores for Homes (GSH) city. The announcement was made at the GSH-certified Bendich residence on Lake Washington, lush with native plants and featuring a small beach at the shoreline.

The Bendich property before the Green Shores for Homes makeover and after. The bulkhead was removed to create a more natural shoreline that is better for the environment and fish.

Green Shores for Homes, managed by Washington Sea Grant, is a voluntary, incentive-based program to encourage waterfront homeowners, contractors and governments to create sustainable (and salmon-friendly) shorelines for lake and marine shore properties. Often this involves leaving shorelines natural or removing bulkheads or other hard armoring materials.  

Improving lakeshore habitat for threatened Chinook salmon is a priority for salmon recovery in WRIA 8, the Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish watershed. In addition to their recreational, scenic, and shoreline protection benefits, natural shorelines provide much-needed food and shelter for salmon migrating through Lake Sammamish and Lake Washington on their way to the ocean.

Read more

• “Kirkland, Washington Sea Grant partner to help homeowners restore Lake Washington shoreline,” Kirkland Reporter, May 11, 2017.
• Green Shores for Homes
• Green Shorelines for Lake Washington and Lake Sammamish