Local knitter Linda Hamilton approached staff last winter about knitting a cozy for one of trees in our outdoor space. Staffers thought it was a great idea to educate kids on the importance of protecting nature; the fact that Linda suggested using scraps of leftover yarn made the project important from a recycling angle as well. Linda called upon many knitting friends and each one enthusiastically joined the effort. With a multitude of patterns and yarns, pieces were dropped off to Linda who then stitched them into a blanket, ultimately piecing it together on the tree. Adding a resin face and long arms, the tree has become almost human. Hug a tree and it will hug you back!

The tree hugger has pockets in which trinkets are left. Staffers find pretty rocks, dandelions and the occasional handful of mulch as tokens of love. Unique and colorful, it has become a conversation piece and popular as a backdrop for many photos.