Not only are trees beautiful organisms, natural habitats for various animals, and fantastic carbon sinks, they are also precious pieces of the environment that need to be conserved. The oak trees and numerous other trees on this lot are decades old, and they provide shade for neighbors and create a beautiful spot for the entire neighborhood. Trees are a vital part of many ecosystems, and to destroy them is to destroy your own environment. In these environmentally-strained times, it would seem that there is an even greater need to protect what natural beauty hasn't been overcome by urban development. Additionally, leaving up trees on a property increases the value of the land and the house that could be built on the property, while also providing natural drainage. Responsible building starts with responsible environmental stewardship, and for this reason we ask Mr. Raeisinia to include in his building plans a guarantee that whatever trees can remain standing, will remain standing.