There are 121 acres of trees and natural land North of King Park In Lakeville Minnesota. The city of Lakeville and the developers want to take down over 2,525 significant trees in this area to build a neighborhood called Caslano. There are currently over 3,900 trees in this plot of land, cutting it down to less than 35% of what’s there right now. A plan in 2006 says - and I quote- “A high priority in district 6 is the significant uplands including some of the last remaining untouched woods and natural areas in Lakeville'' and again in 2019 the city of Lakeville talked about how important these woods are to our environment and community. As some of you might know, Lakeville is building a new school right next to these woods. If the city left the woods standing it could be a great learning experience for the students to learn about native plants and animals. Not to mention the schools right now are VERY overcrowded. When the city builds more houses the school population will continue to grow- meaning bigger classes, less space in classrooms, hallways, and parking lots. A neighbour of mine asked the neighborhood of Choke Cherry hill to report the wild life they have seen in these woods. This list includes over 30 animals, including a couple endangered species. Cutting the trees down means that the animals have no place to go- resulting in many of them dying. This area has also been previously known as “the big woods” a huge forest reaching from one corner of Minnesota to the other. From reports this is one of the last small standing pieces of it that exists in this area. There is a creek running through these woods called Middle creek eventually leading to the vermilion river that flows to the Mississippi. Building houses here could create a domino effect. Mature trees can reduce thousands upon thousands gallons of water each year preventing flooding in many towns. Cutting down the trees and taking apart the creek means more flooding for the city of Lakeville and eventually those along the vermillion river. This land is home to many rare and beautiful wildlife, keeping up these woods is a benefit to the city of Lakeville and The Lakeville school district. Please consider signing this petition the keep one of the last pieces of the big woods standing