The Seattle Green Map Project grew from an inspired and dedicated group of community volunteers who imagined a city like Seattle was a prime place for a green map.

In 2002, following a speach by Wendy Brawer in Seattle, citizens mobilized to organize the Seattle Green Map Project. In 2004, citizens convened at North Seattle Community College to organize the Theme Teams, which would develop the definitions for Seattle's green map icons, research features to include in a local green map, and begin the creation of this great resource.

Seven teams were formed in 2005 to develop criteria for selecting sites for the map and to then review nominated sites within seven thematic areas:

* Economic Development
* Culture and Design
* Renewable Resources/Infrastructure
* Information and Miscellaneous Resources
* Transportation/Mobility
* Nature (Land and Water, Flora, and Fauna) & Pollution Sources
* Youth

On World Environment Day 2005 (June 2nd), Seattle Green Map released the online version of the map at Seattle City Hall featuring over 1600 "green" features in the Emerald City.