First things first: it’s Earth Day. Let’s celebrate!

The movement that became Earth Day, started by Senator Gaylord Nelson, was founded to create “a nationwide demonstration of concern for the environment so large that it would shake the political establishment out of its lethargy and, finally, force this issue permanently onto the national political agenda.” This dedicated day to celebrate the earth has steadily expanded to become about promoting environmental health, policies, and sustainability.

With over 50% of the global population living in cities, our feeling is that Earth Day must increasingly focus on how those principles integrate in to the built environment. As an urban landscape product and ecosystem services supplier, DeepRoot’s purpose is closely aligned with the Earth Day mission. No project showcases the principles of this civic holiday better than the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial currently under construction.

This site will commemorate the legacy of Dr. King, the leader of one of the biggest political movements of the last century. But this memorial is not solely about the past; it is also about the future. Located on Independence Avenue in Washington, D.C., this memorial is utilizing Silva Cells to enable trees on the site to thrive long in to the future, helping to make it an enduring reminder of Dr. King’s legacy.