Mission
OUR MISSION
Land Rematriation
The Heron's Nest is a 3.56-acre land care project and community hub in the West Duwamish Greenbelt. This pilot project preserves critical habitat from development while creating a space where people can come together to share, learn, and grow. The success of Heron’s Nest establishes a replicable model of community-led land care and sustainable development rooted in Indigenous knowledge and practice.
The land features an urban farm and forest, a greenhouse, and an outdoor classroom. Shared Spaces Foundation is in the process of rematriating Heron’s Nest to the Duwamish Tribe, who will take on full ownership and management.
This is more than land preservation — it's about creating sustainable community resources and supporting Indigenous land sovereignty.
Photo: Circa 1970
In support of the Duwamish Tribe
The Duwamish People have lived on what is now Seattle and King County land since time immemorial. They once inhabited 90 villages in the Puget Sound area and had over 54,000 acres of land taken from them. Today, they own less than five acres in Seattle and have been unfairly stripped of their federal recognition. Despite being the first signatories of the Treaty of Point Elliott in 1855, the federal government has consistently failed to honor its commitments to the Duwamish Tribe.
The Heron's Nest Project began in summer 2020, when members from the Shared Spaces Foundation — a community nonprofit rooted in the Duwamish River Valley — discovered a dilapidated parcel for sale near the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center. Through discussions with surrounding community organizations, Tribal leadership and members, the Heron's Nest Project developed into a vision for a shared, brighter future, and work began to clean up the land.
Shared Spaces in in the process of transferring land ownership to the Duwamish Tribe. With more land to grow native plants and food, rebuild community, practice cultural traditions, and teach youth lasting skills, the Duwamish can reclaim some of the power that was unjustly taken from them by colonial oppressors.
The Heron's Nest project aims not only to empower the Duwamish Tribe but also to raise awareness around their recognition. This project relies on the blessing, guidance and support of Duwamish Tribal Services.