“We affirm the natural world as God's handiwork and dedicate ourselves to its preservation, enhancement, and faithful use by humankind.“

An ironic quote from the United Methodist Church 
I say practice what you preach.

I am a resident of Evansville, IN, and I’m writing this petition with a heavy heart. The old north woods that have provided joy to our community for generations are under threat from a pending construction project.

History: 

Backstory is needed to further understand the scope of this issue. Before the property of Old North Woods was sold to The United Methodist Church, it belonged to a local family who cared for and nurtured the old growth forest. Patti Nunn Lynch, daughter of the previous owner, has stated how much this property meant to her family. Prior to the death of Patti’s father, the property was reluctantly sold to The United Methodist Church with the understanding that it would be used as a church retreat. Patti’s father and family made it clear that they intended for this property to remain untouched and remain a safe haven for members of the community and wildlife. According to the family, Dan Burk, an authority of the church, has been after this property for decades in the hopes of developing on it. Despite the wishes of a now passed man, the church is trying to disobey the wishes of the property’s original owner and instead turn this property into a cash cow. The community and people of Evansville are disappointed in this news and many wish to change these plans. 

Ecological Impact: 

These woods are not just beautiful and serene; they are also home to numerous organisms including fungi, native plants, deer, opossums, raccoons, foxes and an overwhelming number of amphibians and insects like bees and butterflies.

The importance of these woods extends beyond their aesthetic value. They play a crucial role in our local ecosystem. Bees and butterflies found here contribute significantly to pollination - an essential process for food production and agricultural related income. Owls manage small mammal populations which helps maintain balance in our environment.

Destroying these woods will not only rob us of this natural beauty but also lead to increased traffic in the area resulting in more deer-related collisions as well as potential harm to bikers and pedestrians.

We cannot stand by while such irreversible damage is done to our environment and community safety. We urge the relevant authorities to reconsider this construction project keeping in mind its far-reaching consequences on both nature's biodiversity as well as human lives.

My goal is either to stop the construction, or at least come to a compromise in order to protect a portion of the woods. 

Please join me in protecting these precious woods that mean so much more than just trees standing tall; they're home to countless life forms contributing positively towards our ecosystem while providing serenity amidst urban chaos. Sign this petition today!