A bench like this one offers urban hikers a spot to rest and reflect as they make their way up or down a woodland, cliff-side trail in Seattle’s Discovery Park.

Several years ago I wrote a post about the Seattle Parks Foundation program that enables donors to give sustainable holiday gifts — a tree, a bench or a park swing. This holiday season, I decided to check to see if the program was still in action. Turns out it is & they’re offering many more gifting options that give back in so many ways. (It also turns out they updated their website & broke my original link. Whew! Got that fixed.)

In addition to accepting donations to plant trees, hang swings or put up a memorial bench, the program  now enables you to donate toward restoration programs. And, you can even choose which program your dollars will go toward. For instance, if a salmon stream near your home is being renovated, you can specify that your donation goes to that. Or, if a loved one passed and her favorite bit of forest is being cleared of invasive blackberry, you can choose to give to that program.  Maybe your brother donates time building trails on steep slopes. For under $200 you can choose to equip a volunteer, which may ensure your brother gets all the ropes he needs to stay safe as he gives back in his free time.

Or, consider donating $45 toward the procurement of a native plant or $450 toward sponsoring the care of 500 square feet of urban forest. Either of those should assuage any guilt you’re carrying for that decorated cut Christmas tree that goes up every year in the family room.

Don’t have cash? The program accepts just about any kind of money donation. They even take gifts of stock, so instead of taking a loss why not turn something that may have tanked on you into a gift that gives back to the environment?

Whether you choose to adopt-a-plot at just under $4k, give a small recurring gift each month or put up a bench where your family can visit for generations to come, this holiday gift option is one that stays local and is a blessing that goes far beyond the excitement of Christmas day.

And, to be clear, these gifts aren’t just for the holiday season. Donations are accepted year-round! Learn more and give back here.

If your community has a similar program, please let us know in the comments below for the benefit of all.