Atlanta, GA – February 1, 2022 – The multi-year project to create the Flowering Forest, a Tree Tribute to John Lewis continues to grow. On the weekend of February 25-26, 2022, there will be two days of volunteer tree plantings which will extend the living memorial along John Lewis Freedom Parkway. The public is invited to sign up to volunteer on Sat., Feb. 26 by registering at treesatlanta.org/calendar.
Trees Atlanta, the Freedom Park Conservancy, and The National Center for Civil and Human Rights joined together to honor the late civil rights leader and planted the first 300 flowering trees in 2021. The trees planted will begin to bloom in February each year and will be a timely celebration of Lewis’s birthday on February 21. Additional trees will be added each year in February until thousands of flowering trees, shrubs, and daffodils continuously line the 1.5 miles of parkway that connects John Lewis Plaza to The King Center by way of The Carter Center.
The National Center for Civil and Human Rights’ Head of Programs & Exhibitions, Dr. Calinda Lee explained, “Congressman Lewis sowed seeds of hope and equity. His life’s work was an undaunted fight for civil and human rights — without prejudice or exception.” This tree tribute honors the inspiration and leadership of Congressman Lewis with a living testimony of trees, nature, and community that he much appreciated and evoked in his inspirational speeches.
The trees are intentionally chosen and planted to display a series of colorful blooms from the first warming days of the year to late spring. Tree selections include mostly native varieties of redbuds, magnolias, dogwoods, yellowwoods, buckeyes, fringe trees, and other flowering species, as well as clusters of daffodils.
This project is made possible with funding and volunteer support from the UPS Foundation, WestRock, and International Paper, along with the City of Atlanta and generous tree planting gifts from Trees Atlanta funders.