The Atlanta Beltline Arboretum: Linking Neighborhoods through Trees

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1 The Atlanta Beltline Arboretum: Linking Neighborhoods through Trees GUFC 2009 Annual Conference Greg Levine, Program Director, Trees Atlanta

2 Trees Atlanta Trees Atlanta is a non-profit citizens' group that protects and improves our urban environment by planting, conserving, and educating. Programs include planting trees, restoring greenspaces, educational outreach in schools, tree maintenance, and arboreta development Staff of 17 Over 1,500 volunteers participate each year, logging about 12,000 hours 2,800 trees planted per year

3 What is an arboretum? A collection of trees that is designed and planted for aesthetic, research, and educational purposes. Similar to a botanical garden, but focused on woody plants. An outdoor, living tree museum

4 NC State Somerset, New Jersey Arboreta from around the United States Boyce Thompson, Arizona Dawes, Ohio

5 Why arboreta? To connect Neighborhoods through the planting of trees To build and strengthen existing programs and to further support our mission To sneak in environmental education...most cities need more To grow passion for trees Reach new constituents

6 The Community Tree Group + Arboretum = a good thing Increase funding possibilities Increase volunteer base Create new partnerships Increase demonstration opportunity Show our tree diversity get more people excited about trees, especially in their own neighborhood Create a rare combination of a community and arboretum Make trees sexy Marketing Just like chocolate and peanut butter they re better together!

7 Make Trees Sexy yes Sexy!!! We can learn a lot from our friends in Public Gardens

8 Atlanta Has a Need.. In 2006 Atlanta, The City in the Trees, did not have an official city arboretum.

9 The Atlanta BeltLine our opportunity 22 miles of historic rail segments that encircle the urban core A comprehensive economic development for the city Urban redevelopment project including connected greenspace trails, transit, new development and.

10 A Unique Opportunity for Atlanta

11 Opportunities The Beltline presents new and exciting design challenges for trees The arboretum (trees) can be integrate and connect into all components of Beltline. Trees are a major component in the initial planning

12 Design Challenges Steep Slope Cut and Fill Infertile and Contaminated Soils

13 Convincing The BeltLine Community Trees Solve Problems..Museums Get Attention And Resources Connect all aspects of the Beltline, transit, trails, economic development, parks, neighborhoods and community. Educational Opportunities Wildlife Corridors Volunteerism Tourism Art Small Cost Big Return

14 Getting Started Initial Funder- Arthur M. Blank Foundation Concept Design - The Portico Group Input and Support Steering Committee 45 Neighborhoods Other nonprofits Georgia Forestry Commission Partnerships Audubon Beltline Inc BeltLine Partnership Path

15 We don t need to re-invent the wheel Transit, trails, and trees: not a new idea! Arnold Arboretum, ca. 1900

16 Other Redevelopment/ Urban Forestry Project The Big Dig The High Line

17 The Arboretum Concept 14 Natural Neighborhoods Plant collections for the Arboretum will define and be defined by the surrounding neighborhoods and communities, the city s existing parks and open spaces, use patterns, cultural history, water resources and microclimates.

18 Major Goals For The Collections Utilize native and regionally adapted plants Create a distinctive and ordered planting design Develop specific planting and design elements that will be consistent throughout Identify and protect significant existing trees and habitats Eliminate invasive species through responsible forestry techniques

19 The 1 st Mile of the BeltLine Arboretum The two natural neighborhoods in this model are the West Connection and Warehouse Row

20 BeltLine Ground Breaking

21 Warehouse Row: Landscape of Motion Theme: Featuring a variety of plants whose color, texture, form, etc has high visual impact that can be appreciated while passing at faster-than-walking speed. Sub-theme: plant evolution, particularly highlighting species that have existed for a long time Collections: Varied forms and shapes bald cypress, red cedar, elm, ginkgo, tulip poplar Foliage size/texture/shape- catalpa, windmill palm, bigleaf magnolia, dawn redwood Color Forest Pansy redbud, saucer magnolias, golden raintree, crape myrtle Primitive trees and their forms palms, magnolia, gymnosperms Symbolic Trees: Dawn Redwood Ginkgo

22 Warehouse Row: Landscape of Motion This narrow right-of-way segment between rows of warehouses and the stretch of trail that follows the road uses a palette of plants selected for their distinctive shape, foliage and color. They respond to the heightened sense of movement that light rail travelers and bicyclists will have as they pass through the corridor. Plants may include dawn redwood, ginkgo, and yucca.

23 Natural Neighborhood Gateway Identifier Natural Neighborhood defined in three ways Bent Tree Circle of trees Landscape Art

24 Wildlife Corridor Twenty-two miles of; Connected greenspace Invasive removal Diverse plantings Large Native Planting areas Audubon Partnership

25 Connecting Neighborhoods to trees, birds, chipmunks..

26 Education Trees Labeled Demonstration Educational Signage New BeltLine School Environmental Educational Program

27 Tree ID The Everyday Connection ID existing trees, create a route and plant some interesting trees Create a tough labeling system

28 Tree Walk Maps

29 Demonstration Tree Selection Chestnut Blight Resistance New varieties Trees for Power Lines Growing Bigger Healthier Trees Silva Cell Structured Soil Invasive Plant Removal Water Collection and Storage Innovation in New Developments Pervious Pavements

30 Tree Tours host events and guided walks in your arboretum

31 Arboretum Sculpture The BeltLine s 1 st Sculpture Provides space for public art, beautifying the urban environment, creates a sense of place and reinforcing the tree museum concept

32 Volunteer Opportunities Planting Invasive plant removal Trash Pickup

33 Invasive Plant Removal Top Invasive Plants Kudzu Japanese Hops Privet Microstegium Challenges Timing, chemicals, erosion and replacement Neighboring properties Money Partners University of Georgia, Schools of Ecology, Env. Design and Forestry Georgia Forestry Commission Audubon Arthur M. Blank Foundation BeltLine Inc

34 Next Steps First Sculpture Installation Chestnut Demonstration Master Plan for 1.5 Mile Section Invasive Removal Continues Over 8 Miles Tree Protection And Documentation Fundraising for Implementation

35 BeltLine Arboretum Summary The Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum is an opportunity to connect neighbors to trees while becoming a regional asset for urban forestry. More trees means.