Lunch and Learn: Quantifying Green Infrastructure Benefits of the Atlanta Beltline
As an essential component of progressive urban planning, the use of green infrastructure within public projects offers many benefits. The Atlanta Beltline Arboretum includes bioswales, no-mow landscapes, and extensive tree planting as green infrastructure--but how do the benefits of these methods measure up? What are the best ways to measure the impact of an urban tree canopy? How do you compare the sustainability impact of mown vs. unmown landscapes? Is there a way to measure ecological success with pollinator plantings? Trees Atlanta's Director of Conservation, Brian Williams, will present several methods of quantifying success for green infrastructure, from tree canopy benefits to petrochemical inputs to pollinator prevalence.
During this program, you will be better able to quantify the benefits of canopy trees as a component of green infrastructure, conceptualize the measurable benefits of low- or no-mow landscapes, and understand the tools used to predict the potential for impact of green infrastructure projects.
About the Speaker: Brian Williams has 15 years of career experience in urban ecology, and has been the director of conservation programs at Trees Atlanta since 2018. His experience includes ecological restoration, invasive species removal, volunteer coordination, and project management across a range of greenspace and conservation sites in metro Atlanta. He has managed the planting and restoration of native landscapes on the Atlanta Beltline Arboretum since 2012. Brian is a graduate of Emory University and is an ISA-Certified Arborist.
This program is being held during Go Public Gardens Week Go Public Gardens is an ongoing, evergreen Association initiative to drive the public to visit, value, and volunteer at public gardens in their area and when they travel. Trees Atlanta currently manages 85 acres of linear greenspace along 13 miles of the Atlanta Beltline corridor. The Atlanta Beltline Arboretum currently has 9,000 accessioned plants in its collection, with 369 unique tree and shrub species and cultivars. Eighty-eight genera of trees and shrubs are represented and identified with permanent signage. Additionally, over 500,000 non-accessioned live grasses, vines, and wildflowers have been planted within the Arboretum since 2013, along with 1,600 pounds of seeds of native plants sown in the meadow spaces.
Additional Information:
- Doors open at 11:30 AM. Feel free to bring a lunch.
- Getting Here: Bike racks are located on the side of the building (near the silo in the Picnic Patio). We are approximately 1 mile from the Oakland City and West End MARTA train stations (Red and Gold Lines). Limited number of parking spaces are available at our location, in addition to limited street parking. Lee & White is accessible via a walk on the Atlanta Beltline for those who plan to eat there before or after this event.
- Registration Required. This event is free. Please consider adding a donation when registering for a free ticket.
- Safety and Cancellation Policy: Learn more about our current Safety Protocols for In-Person Education Events.
- City Forest Certification: The City Forest Certification is Trees Atlanta’s newest community action program. This hands on program is designed to guide and empower everyday people with practical knowledge and skills. Neighbor by neighbor and property by property, we can grow and connect a network of forests big and small. By attending this program you can earn 1 Acorn towards your City Forest Certification
- Questions: If you have any questions or comments regarding this event, please email education@treesatlanta.org.
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