By Sav Tello
Photo courtesy of Save Ormewood Forest
Trees Atlanta is calling on residents, greenspace advocates, and community leaders to help restore the ecological health of Ormewood Forest, one of southeast Atlanta’s most treasured natural areas. For more than 16 years, neighbors and local champions, including SAVE ORMEWOOD FOREST, East Atlanta Canopy Krewe, Council Member Liliana Bakhtiari, and former Council Member Natalyn Mosby Archibong, and others fought to protect this green space from destruction. Their efforts paid off in 2023, when the City of Atlanta officially designated Ormewood Forest as a city park.
Today, the forest faces a new threat: the rapid spread of non-native invasive plants, such as Elaeagnus and Wisteria. These aggressive species overwhelm native vegetation, disrupt wildlife habitat, and reduce the forest’s natural biodiversity. In response, the City of Atlanta has funded four volunteer projects in partnership with Trees Atlanta to remove destructive invasive plants and restore the forest’s long-term ecological health and growth.
Photo courtesy of Save Ormewood Forest
Ormewood Forest needs your help.
Trees Atlanta needs volunteers with all experience levels to join upcoming community workdays dedicated to removing non-native invasive plants and supporting native habitat restoration. Learn how to spot and remove invasive species plants as you work along Trees Atlanta staff and trained volunteers.
All projects take place on Saturdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm on these Volunteer Dates: January 24, February 28, April 25, and May 23.
Be part of the team restoring one of Atlanta’s most cherished forests. Sign up through Trees Atlanta’s website: treesatlanta.org/calendar. Together, we can ensure Ormewood Forest thrives for generations to come.
Sav Tello [she/her] is the Forest Restoration Coordinator for Trees Atlanta and an ISA Certified Arborist: GO-0203A.
