Nearly three decades ago, I made my home in Kennesaw, GA. It was an enchanting place teeming with diverse and precious wildlife. The large undeveloped tracts of land were full of beautiful, mature trees providing a vital habitat for endangered species. Yet, today, those untouched lands have been consumed by aggressive construction. Developers have bulldozed the land’s natural beauty, uprooting historic trees, to construct new homes – often with only one small, newly-planted tree attempting to replace the lost greenery.

Our city has always been known for its rich biodiversity and an aesthetic defined by mature trees. However, frantic construction and clear-cutting practices of developers are threatening to wash away this identity and the much-needed green spaces of Kennesaw.

Suffocating urbanization not only deteriorates the ecological balance but also affects quality of life and property values. According to a study published in Landscape and Urban Planning, properties with preserved tree cover have a price premium of about 7% compared to those without (Lansford Jr and Jones, 1995).

Therefore, we propose a city ordinance that would require any new construction project on a 2-acre or larger site to preserve a minimum of 30% of the original, mature trees. The purpose of this ordinance is twofold: To save our city's natural identity and to support the biodiversity dependent on such habitats.

The time has come to take action. The time has come to protect the Kennesaw we love so dearly. Let’s secure a greener future for our next generations. Please sign this petition to show city council members that we value our trees and wildlife as much as new development.