Research cited below is one more reason to save Mims Forest as it is.

Destroying healthy trees, revamping the creeks, building grassy areas, constructing walkways, and installing artificial lighting are detrimental to this forest. Have we truly reached a point in our society where without infrastructure there is no perceived value for forests? The southeastern USA forests are being destroyed at record speed. We need to value forests for the important ecosystem they protect as well as their impact on rainfall, carbon, wildlife, and mental health. 

We cannot do this alone. Please share share share & send emails and make calls to the town council. 

Excerpt: “1) Protect what we have. Most forest carbon removals come from existing forests - not newly planted ones. The most important step we can take is to stop further loss of primary and regenerating secondary forests. This requires clear rules to protect forests, people to enforce those rules, and policy changes that make it harder to profit from cutting forests down.”

https://www.wri.org/insights/forest-carbon-sink-shrinking-fires-deforestation