With the help of volunteers, we have begun doing “guerrilla afforestation” plantings in the area around Martyrs’ Square. The site was chosen because of its proximity to the revolution site, as an active of positive protest to reclaim our public spaces.
Volunteers and protestors are taking care of the watering and maintenance of the forest, further strengthening the peaceful, communal and positive impacts of the revolution. Our tiny native forests also provide a counterpoint to the typical method of favoring exotic [water and chemical-intensive] landscaping in Beirut’s urban core.
UPDATE: Opposed to the idea of planting local and native species, the municipality of Beirut uprooted and replaced the 30 native trees and shrubs we planted in our GUERILLA Forest in Downtown Beirut during the October 17 revolution. These trees were replaced by 6 identical exotic tree species.
