Save Braeburn Forest - Protect One of East Atlanta's Last Intact Forested Creek Corridors

Braeburn Forest is more than a vacant parcel. It is over 7 acres of mature urban forest in the heart of East Atlanta - with century-old trees, wildlife habitat, and a first-order headwater stream that feeds into the already stressed Sugar Creek and South River watersheds. 

Once this land is cleared, paved, and built over, we cannot get it back.

Why this matters

Braeburn Forest helps protect our neighborhood in ways we can see and feel everyday:

-Trees and shade that reduce heat in an increasingly hotter city

-Stormwater absorption that helps reduce runoff, erosion, and flooding

-Wildlife habitat for birds, deer, pollinators, and other native species

-Stream protection for a fragile headwater creek system

-A rare chance to expand public greenspace in this part of East Atlanta by approximately 50%

The forest is not separate from the neighborhood.  It is part of the neighborhood's health, character, and future.

What is being proposed

Developers Fortas Homes and Wellbourne Development LLC are seeking to develop a portion of Braeburn Forest using high-density, multi-family residential zoning. Their current proposal would bring development pressure into a sensitive stream corridor, including proposed access near the headwater creek and construction across protected stream buffer areas.

The result could be the loss of mature trees, canopy cover, disruption of wildlife habitat, stormwater runoff, and the permanent fragmentation of a rare natural area in East Atlanta.

Why we are concerned

This level of development is inconsistent with the surrounding neighborhood and risks setting a dangerous precedent: If one of East Atlanta's last remaining forested creek corridors can be carved up and paved over, what protection does any urban forest, stream buffer, or neighborhood green space truly have? 

Braeburn Forest should not become another example of short-term development taking priority over long-term community resilience.

Our Ask

We ask Fortas Homes and Wellbourne Development LLC to withdraw their current development plans for 1834 Braeburn Circle and pursue a more suitable location.

We ask City of Atlanta leaders to help protect Braeburn Forest as a permanent greenspace for the benefit of East Atlanta, downstream communities, wildlife, and future generations.

Please sign and share if you believe East Atlanta deserves trees, clean streams, less flooding, more greenspace, and thoughtful development that respects the existing neighborhood.

Help us Save Braeburn Forest before it is gone.