Constellation of Living Memorials

Constellation of Living Memorials 

As we pass by or through abandoned historic cemeteries, sorrow washes over us. These forgotten sites dedicated to those who have died mirror our detached relationship with death and the heartbreak many feel amid an unprecedented extinction of flora and fauna. With over one million species at risk of disappearing in the next few decades, the enormity of this loss is hard to fathom.

Cemeteries should be sacred places, as well as portals rich with renewed life. They have untapped potential to offer a profound sense of place, geographically and within time, for surrounding communities. A groundbreaking approach, transforming abandoned cemeteries into vibrant wildlife sanctuaries, will strengthen local economies, create jobs, reverse the nature-deficit disorder, and attract visitors across the state and country.

The Constellation of Living Memorials (“CLM”), a Friends of the Warren Ferris Cemetery 2-year pilot project, reimagines forgotten neighborhood cemeteries as vibrant wildlife sanctuaries. The program envisions a tapestry that intertwines cultural and natural history, bridging the societal gap between humanity and nature. This groundbreaking shift from neglectful avoidance to the establishment of new paths for local and migratory wildlife is a beacon of hope. CLM offers opportunities for humanity to reconnect with nature, fostering a newfound sense of renewal and rediscovery. CLM offers a groundbreaking opportunity to celebrate the circle of life through mixed-use green space engagement.

We organize volunteers to remove invasive species, liberate lost gravestones, and build pathways for people and wildlife to explore. These secret gardens spring to life with native species and capitated local volunteers, who take pride in their work to honor their forebears and protect the environment.

 As City Council Member Paula Blackmon explains, “The Constellation of Living Memorials is the perfect way to create public open space for all to enjoy in the heart of an urban area while preserving our rich Dallas history. It’s a paradigm shift for our city. This is an opportunity for Dallas to influence cities across America.”

 In September 2023, The Texas Historical Foundation provided CLM with a $30,000 matching grant for native land restoration of historic cemeteries in Dallas' underserved communities. Those funds will be used to transform their grounds into wildlife habitats, resurrecting Dallas’ rich natural and cultural history. CLM has enrolled five historic forgotten so far– Oakland, Western Heights, Beeman, W.W. Glover, and Albert Carver. 

 Since launching in November 2023, CLM has received a $50,000 grant from the Eugene McDermott Foundation, significantly increasing our momentum. With this remarkable gift, Mary McDermott Cook noted, “You opened my eyes to the fact that there are little cemeteries all over Dallas. What a wonderful idea to turn them into learning laboratories and wildflower parks. Congratulations on finding hidden treasures in plain sight.”      

A few key highlights:

1. This year, we were invited on stage at the EarthX Global Expo with several Dallas dignitaries. This exposure led to front-page coverage of CLM in the Dallas Morning News, an invitation to apply for a grant from PepsiCo, and other cemeteries seeking to become part of the expanding constellation.  

2. CLM received the esteemed SMU Texas Impact Enterprise Award and was included in the Texas Impact Map Hub, a pioneering mapping platform aimed at showcasing the diverse impact of enterprises across various sectors in our state.    

3.  CLM partnerships now include Texas A&M AgriLife Extension programs like Master Naturalists,  Master  Gardeners, 4-H, and Master Wellness.

4. The Summerlee Foundation provided a $30K grant to conduct a cultural archeological study led by Cemetery Archeologist Victoria Clow. College students are conducting the study under her direction. 

The study will generate a curriculum for educational institutions to use in archeological fields.

Dallas County Commissioner Dr. Theresa Daniels says, “The Constellation of Living Memorials helps us reconnect with nature in our historic cemeteries. This will be accomplished by restoring the grounds to intentional native landscapes. Through this action, we promote the health of our community, enhance the life of our residents, and foster vital habitats for wildlife.”

We're ready to move full steam ahead into the next growth phase and have plans to initiate a citywide art program in partnership with prominent cultural institutions, businesses, and city government.

Garrett Boone, Container Store Co-founder and Greening Czar of City of Dallas elaborates on CLM’s importance to our city, as seen in this 30-second testimonial on the Constellation of Living Memorials YouTube channel.

Your support toward CLM could not come at a more crucial time. 

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Onwards and upwards!

SMU Texas Impact Enterprise Award