Toward 2050 Under Construction (all photos in this section are courtesy of  Ann Morton)

Early stringing session at Ann's home studio. In total, 450 strands needed to be strung for the project, carrying over 2000 flags/4000 crafted panels.

Stringing session with DBG volunteers at the Garden.

One of the center element strands being strung by DBG volunteers.

There were a total of 480 flags strung for the center element of the labyrinth on 32, 18 foot strands.

Early morning - empty site. Within two weeks, the Toward 2050 labyrinth would come to life here.

Finding the exact spot for the center element pole.

Center pole is set in place.

Drill used to set all of the nearly 500 labyrinth stanchions.

With ground as hard a concrete, setting the stanchions proved to be a huge challenge. The fabrication team of Ian Coyne were the heroes of this installation.

On-site rusting station for all the year-marking thresholds and the center element ground circle with an inspirational quote included.

The 2050 threshold in the shadow of the center pole. In all, there are 26 thresholds, marking the years from 2025 to 2050 - the U.N. goal for achieving Net Zero.

Stanchions are placed, thresholds are put in position. The labyrinth pathways are confirmed with bright orange cording.

The first strands are attached to the labyrinth stanchions.

Volunteers tie on hundreds of flag strands to create the labyrinth pathways.

The knots tied were very specific to maintain consistency and visual presentation.

The labyrinth takes shape as all the ground flag strands are tied-on. Still a lot to do for the opening.

DBG Exhibits Manager begins tying on the center flag strands - in all, 32 strands and 480 flags make up the center element.

The center element includes a rusted ring with an important quote. James Coyne, with the fabrication team works with the DBG team to insure the stretch of each of the center pole strands.

Specially selected rocks to further enhance the pathways of the labyrinth were delivered in this giant pile.

A team of "rock setters" placed each rock individually to echo the flag pathways of the labyrinth.

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Toward 2050 Opening (all photos in this section are courtesy of  Desert Botanical Garden/Polymath Photography, Rick White-Pickett)

Over 200 people attended a special opening celebration on February 8, 2025.

The variety and detailed work in all the Toward 2050 flags captivate visitors.

Donna Dehn, DBG volunteer made her flag to reflect the DBG logo.

Lots and lots of photos were taken and shared from the opening of Toward 2050.

Opening day brought a busy labyrinth.

The setting of the labyrinth in the heart of the Desert Botanical Garden is compelling.

A detail from the welcoming entry arch for the Toward 2050 project.

Ann Morton on opening day - seeing the finished installation is always heartwarming. The power that community-making carries continues to move so many.

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Toward 2050 Finished Installation (all photos in this section are courtesy of Bill Timmerman, Timmerman Photography)

The entry to the Toward 2050 labyrinth.

First glimpse of the labyrinth from the entry path.

Morning light creates a completive time for a visit.

A sea for every flag one can imagine made by hundreds of makers across 45 US states and 9 countries.

The 360° views from the labyrinth are amazing in this surprising desert environment.

Wonderful shadow play cast by the labyrinth pathways.

At the base of the center element of the labyrinth reads this quote: " The earth is what we all have in common" spoken by Wendell Berry.

Four hundred and eighty flags create the fifteen foot rise of the center element.

The Toward 2050 flags come alive with the slightest breeze.

Sunset casts new light on the labyrinth for visitors.

Toward 2050 is open until 8:00 pm everyday, providing a different, and engaging experience for visitors.

This photo of the overall installation reveals the monumental nature of the Toward 2050 project in the midst of the Desert Botanical Garden.