2026 is here!

As we welcome the new year, we do so with clear eyes and open hearts.

This past year has reminded us that the work of environmental justice, racial equity, and immigrant protection is neither easy nor guaranteed. Our communities continue to face disproportionate harm from pollution to policies that threaten the safety, dignity, and belonging of our neighbors. These realities weigh heavily every day.

And yet, we begin this year grounded in hope,  not a passive hope, but one built through connection, resilience, and collective action. 

Hope lives in the relationships we nurture across cultures and generations. It lives in frontline leadership, mutual care, and our shared commitment to protect our river, our community, our health, and our homes. It lives in standing together against injustice and refusing to leave anyone behind.

In 2026, we are celebrating DRCC’s 25th anniversary and launching our capital campaign to help build South Park’s new Youth and Climate Resiliency Hub. We are still pinching ourselves that this is really happening — but it is! 🥳 This Hub will be a future home for DRCC and a welcoming community center for all. 

As we move forward, we recommit to a future where:

Clean air, water, and land are human rights — not privileges Clean air, water, and land are human rights — not privileges 

• Immigrant communities are welcomed, protected, and valued

• Racial equity guides our decisions and partnerships

• Community voices shape the solutions that affect our lives

May this year strengthen our partnerships, deepen our courage, and renew our belief in what’s possible when we act together with intention, justice, and accountability. The road ahead may be challenging, but we do not walk it alone.

We need you. We need us.

Please reach out for ideas, wisdom, conversation, and solidarity.  With gratitude, we step into the new year together.

In community, 

Paulina Lopez 

Executive Director- DRCC

Duwamish Valley Youth Corps

Welcome to the 12th year of Duwamish Valley Youth Corps! We are so excited to start the year with a new group of students, the return of some amazing partnerships, and some exciting new opportunities for Duwamish Valley youth! This season we welcome back two popular programs: the YES (Youth Engaging in the Science of resilience) program - an opportunity for 10 students to learn about climate resilience in South Park, and the Dirt Corps team - an opportunity for 10 students doing a deep dive into green stormwater infrastructure and green jobs.

We are also offering an exciting new program in partnership with the South Park Community Center called the Sports Crew! This team will learn how to become the next generation of coaches and mentors for little kids sports teams. We’re so excited to kick things off at the brand new sports field! Get ready for some spring time bbqs and games!

Environmental Law & Climate Policy

We want to hear from you!

Clean Air Program

*Update on Ash Grove and Puget Sound Clean Air *

WE HEARD YOUR VOICE, WE LISTENED, & NOW WE'RE GOING TO COURT TO PROTECT YOUR HEALTH

As many of you may know, on December 5th, 2025, despite 500 local community members, 30 local businesses, and several local elected officials expressing their concerns about the permit modification that would allow Ash Grove to burn more toxic tires in their cement kiln, the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency moved forward and finalized the permit.

In collaboration with Front & Centered, represented by Earthjustice, DRCC has filed an appeal in order to protect the health and wellbeing of our community members and the environment.

Duwamish Air Improvement Study for Youth (DAISY)

Check out the article in the Georgetown Gazette when you get the chance! Thanks to our partners at the UW's DEOHS we are now able to compare our air monitor’s readings throughout Georgetown and South Park. Though this data is put together with sensors that do not use federally approved methods that are set by EPA (Federal Reference Methods or Federal Equivalent Methods are set by the Environmental Protection Agency), they do share readings from officially approved devices.

Preliminary data from air monitors at four locations in Georgetown measured fine particulate matter for the past year. On average, readings rose in the afternoon. The research is part of a study between University of Washington researchers and the Duwamish River Community Coalition.  (Chart created by UW's DEOHS with data from Clarity monitors)

Superfund

What is happening with the River cleanup?

Season 2 construction will continue through February. Construction will occur on weekdays and Saturdays, with work taking place during both daytime and, when needed, nighttime hours. If nighttime hours are needed along with bridge closures, this will be announced ahead of time. The work hours vary because of tides and the type of work being conducted.

THIS WEEK: Cleanup dredging will occur at sediment management areas (SMAs) 9 and 12b (see map below), and clean material placement will occur at SMA 15. This will all be daytime work. 

What is a sheen?

A sheen is a visible presence of oil in the water. They can occur from stormwater runoff from roads and parking lots, oil leaks from equipment, vessel spills, illegal dumping, and land spills that drain to the river. Sometimes, there can be contaminated sediment in the water that gets disturbed by dredging, which is why the cleanup team closely monitors sheens. SMA 12b had a sheen discovered during cleanup last year, and the cleanup team contained it and is now using extra protections like oil-absorbing and oil-containment booms when dredging again this season. 

Community Resilience

Our climate resilience team, along with potentially impacted neighbors, is breathing a sigh of relief as the highest predicted King Tides of the season are behind us. During this last December we worked closely with Seattle Public Utilities to share information regarding the Emergency Response Plan. As weather shifted, so did counter-measures and alerts. We are grateful the ERP did not need to be activated. A lot of hard work during the holidays went into maintaining the integrity of the sandbag wall which kept the community shielded from the River. Our Flood Community Advisory Group will meet again in late January to talk about end-of-season concerns and priorities and to set goals for the off-season.

DRCC’s 2026 Legislative Agenda

South Park Community Center field and playground is now open!

After years of advocacy the South Park Community Center playground and field are now open. Please know that DRCC is here to continue to advocate for a safe and clean environment for our Duwamish Valley. We look forward to seeing you in the Soccer field every Wednesday’s.

Milestones and Momentum: Seattle’s Duwamish Valley Program celebrates 2025 wins with community partners  

Youth working aside Katie Wilson’s Transition Team

This past Sunday, South Park Hall was buzzing with energy! We had an amazing time teaming up with Katie Wilson’s Transition Team to uplift youth voices and dive into the issues that matter most to our community.
Together, we sparked meaningful conversations around education and college pathways, youth programming and safety, affordability and housing, job opportunities, and political education. Youth ages 13–24 led the way with powerful insights, joined by parents and community members who added their own perspectives to the mix.
We’re thrilled to see the Duwamish Valley included in important citywide conversations—and this is just the beginning! We invite everyone to keep the momentum going and join us at our next listening session. Your voice matters!