By Christian Trevor Lisa
Depending on who you ask—The Weather Channel or the stars—Fall begins on either the first or the 22nd day of September. By the time this paper reaches your hands, both will have passed, and we will find ourselves deep in the season of harvests, reflection, and transition. Our allotment of daylight will wane about 90 seconds each day between now and the winter solstice, and the Friends of Ormewood Forest are losing no time in planting the seeds for the future of East Atlanta’s newest green space.
The First “Feast for the Forest”
Three years ago, after a David-vs-Goliath battle against a parade of land developers spanning 16 years, a grassroots effort of East Atlanta residents lobbied the City of Atlanta to purchase the area now known as Ormewood Forest Nature Preserve.
Two of the chief heroes of that story, Council Member Liliana Bakhtiari and former Council Member Natalyn Mosby Archibong, offered their attendance and support at the Friends of Ormewood Forest’s first-ever “Feast for the Forest” community potluck at Flat Shoals Farm.
The Friends of Ormewood Forest extend sincerest thanks to the local businesses and nearly 80 community members who attended the event. Food and drink were donated from a combination of East Atlanta mainstays and newer staples—including Raani Coffee, Grant Central Pizza, Emerald City Bagels, and Mercer Street Meals—as well as generous contributions from the feasters themselves. Informational signage (courtesy of the East Atlanta Copy Center) gave attendees a look at the progress of forest restoration and plans for upcoming volunteer planting projects.
Former Atlanta City Council Member Natalyn Archibong received a surprise “Happy Birthday” from the attendees as recognition for her early support and passion as an advocate for preserving neighborhood green spaces. Additionally, the largest and most exuberant friend of Ormewood Forest, Stormie the Owl, made a brief appearance, the first time he’s been out of the woods since his appearance at the 2024 EAV Strut.
Native Plant Border Garden Takes Shape
Volunteers gathered the morning of Saturday, September 19 for Phase I of the Ormewood Forest Preserve’s first grant-funded project, the Native Plant Border Garden. This event was made possible through a $2,500 Park Pride Activation Grant.
After some guided stretching, courtesy of The Alignment Project, volunteers worked to prepare a 375-foot site by removing existing grass and weeds and amending soil for 16 native plant varieties, which will be installed in Phase II in November.
Future Events
Phase II of the Native Plant Border Garden will take place on Saturday, November 7th. Beech Hollow Wildflower Farm will be in attendance to educate volunteers on a variety of native plants, and how to best introduce and plant native species—both in the park environment and their own yards. The Friends of Ormewood Forest are still looking for volunteers, so be sure to sign up.
For volunteer opportunities, and other ways you can join in supporting this new East Atlanta Nature Preserve, contact the Friends of Ormewood Forest at ormewoodforest@eaca.net
