Arthur Blank Family Foundation

ATLANTA, September 4, 2007 - The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation today announced it is awarding Trees Atlanta a $350,000 grant to develop a conceptual master plan that would help create an Atlanta Beltline Arboretum. When built, the proposed 22-mile tree collection would be the world’s longest linear arboretum, and include public art, historical site information, and environmental demonstration models.

As a preview of the final project, Trees Atlanta and the PATH Foundation plan to create a one-mile segment of the arboretum in 2008, planting 200 trees in the Westview and West End neighborhoods in Southwest Atlanta.

A portion of the Blank Foundation grant will also go toward beautification along the proposed BeltLine route. These funds will help the City of Atlanta and Trees Atlanta remove invasive species such as kudzu, English ivy and wisteria that serve as physical and visual barriers. The foundation is also helping to fund development of a TreeSource Center located on the BeltLine that will serve as a central hub for community engagement in environmental stewardship.

Through its Inspiring Spaces initiative, the Blank Foundation continues to be a major supporter of the Atlanta BeltLine, a proposed corridor of trails, transit and parks that will connect 45 neighborhoods, to date granting a total of over $11 million to BeltLine-related projects. The foundation's broader strategy is aimed at developing a system of great parks in Atlanta by increasing park usage through improved access, enhanced amenities and community mobilization.

"This project, unique in the world, will make the BeltLine a true example of what a green corridor should be, an opportunity to showcase the importance of green space in our lives and communities," said Blank Foundation President Penelope McPhee.

About Trees Atlanta

Trees Atlanta was founded by Central Atlanta Progress, the Atlanta Commissioner of Parks, and the Junior League to address downtown's lack of green space. It is a non-profit citizens' group dedicated to protecting and improving Atlanta’s urban environment by planting and conserving trees.

About The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation

Formed in 1995, The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is focused on improving early childhood development, enhancing education, preserving green space, sustaining the arts and sparking collaboration among its nonprofit partners, primarily in Atlanta.

Arthur M. Blank is owner & CEO of the Atlanta Falcons and Georgia Force. He co-founded The Home Depot, the world’s largest home improvement retailer, in 1978 and retired from the company as co-chairman in 2001. Through his generosity, the foundation, along with Blank and his wife's personal giving, has granted more than $220 million to various charitable organizations.