Growing Together: How You Can Help Fort Worden’s Next Chapter Flourish
If you’ve walked the trails around Fort Worden Historical State Park in Port Townsend, Washington, lately, you may have noticed signs of transformation everywhere. The berm meadow is beginning to flourish with new growth, and some of the cleared areas are now home to thriving native plants. Yet one spot still stands out—the bluff next to Bliss Cottage. For now, it’s looking a little bare, but big changes are on the horizon.
This month, that challenging area is scheduled for hydroseeding with native grasses, a process that will give the bluff a head start toward restoration. Over the winter, those native seeds will begin to establish roots, helping stabilize the soil, prevent erosion, and lay the foundation for a vibrant and resilient landscape come spring. It’s one more step in a long-term effort to restore Fort Worden’s ecosystems and ensure this beloved park continues to thrive for generations to come.
A Collaborative Effort for a Healthier Park
Behind the scenes, the Friends of Fort Worden are working closely with our partners at Washington State Parks and the Jefferson County Noxious Weed Control Board to renew our five-year Noxious Weed Control Plan. This agreement helps us tackle one of the park’s ongoing challenges: managing invasive plants that threaten native habitats.
The list of culprits is long—poison hemlock, scotch broom, holly, spurge laurel, and thistle, among others—but each one poses a real risk to the park’s ecological health. These invasives crowd out native plants, alter soil chemistry, and reduce habitat for pollinators and wildlife. By sharing costs and expertise with our partners, we can make smarter, more coordinated decisions about removal and restoration.
And this isn’t just about pulling weeds—it’s about restoring balance. Every native grass seed we plant, every invasive root we remove, contributes to a healthier, more diverse ecosystem that benefits everyone who loves this place.
Why It Matters
When you stand on the bluff overlooking the Point Wilson Lighthouse, it’s easy to see why Fort Worden Historical Park holds such a special place in the hearts of so many. But what makes it truly remarkable goes far beyond the views. Fort Worden is a living landscape—home to countless plants, insects, birds, and animals that depend on us to be good stewards.
Native grasses, for example, do more than beautify the landscape. Their deep root systems hold the soil in place, absorb stormwater, and create food and shelter for native wildlife. Removing invasive species gives these native plants a fighting chance to reestablish, strengthening the park’s natural resilience in the face of climate change and heavy visitor use.
Every hour of volunteer time, every dollar donated, directly supports this mission. Together, we’re ensuring that Fort Worden remains a place where nature, history, and community come together.
How You Can Help
Restoration projects like these rely on the collective effort of volunteers, donors, and community partners. Whether you can give time, resources, or simply help spread the word, you are part of this story.
Here are a few ways to get involved:
Volunteer with the Friends: Join our next work party! Volunteers help remove invasive plants, plant native species, and maintain restoration areas. No experience is needed—just enthusiasm and a willingness to get your hands dirty.
Make a donation: Your financial support helps us purchase native plants and seeds, fund professional restoration services, and provide tools and supplies for volunteer crews. Even small gifts add up to big impacts. You can give one time, or set up monthly donations.
Adopt a project area: Some supporters choose to focus their efforts on a specific part of the park—like the berm meadow, the bluff, or a trail corridor. It’s a wonderful way to see tangible progress over time.
Spread the word: Follow us on social media, share updates with your friends and neighbors, and help us grow our network of supporters who care about Fort Worden’s future.
Looking Ahead
As the hydroseeding takes root this fall and our renewed weed control plan begins, we’re reminded that restoration is a long journey—one that requires patience, persistence, and partnership. Each season brings new challenges, but also new opportunities to learn, grow, and reconnect with the land.
The Friends of Fort Worden are deeply grateful to all who have lent their hands, hearts, and voices to this effort. Together, we’re not just planting seeds—we’re cultivating a legacy of stewardship and care.
Let’s keep growing together.