Have Hope & Never Give Up Because---WE WON!
We have an amazing update to share & even a re-direct for a hopeful future! Please be sure to read to the end.
So, here's what happened. The developer had been stalling by paying the sellers for an option to delay their purchase of the property. This had been going on for months. I know many reasons that you, our 3,024 petition signers and 231 promoters had something to do with this delay. Then, the developer failed to pay to renew their option which opened the door for another offer. The school directly across the street, Durham Academy, made an offer to purchase. Their offer was accepted! Good-bye 5-story apartment building and acres of impervious surface above our very bio-diverse Sandy Creek Environmental Park & Wetlands! Good-bye worsened traffic on a blind hill with no shoulders. Hello to a very ecological institution that cares about future humans and wildlife. Can you believe it? I'm still pinching myself! It's been a really tough fight. I don't think words can express the gratitude that I have for each and every one of you and also to Durham Academy for making this commitment.
By purchasing this land, Durham Academy has protected traffic safety for all of us, especially school children, the elderly and their families. They are contributing to the protection of our clean drinking water and mitigating future flooding by protecting the wetlands.They are protecting Durham's very own urban gem of Sandy Creek Environmental Park & Wetlands and her thriving wildlife. Having lived by Durham Academy for over 20 years, I have witnessed their ecological mission first-hand. I am comforted to know that this precious property will now be in good hands. The school does not have any plans for developing the property right now, but if they do eventually, it will be done in a way to protect the ecologically sensitive park and wetlands below it.
Before this fight, I must admit that I had been losing some hope in humanity. I truly don't understand how there can be climate change deniers. As for me, I loved climbing trees and running through forests as a child. I think that being in nature is innately important to our health and well-being, heck our sanity! I grew up in North Carolina. This is not the weather I grew up with, not even close. I wish it were for kids today and for future generations. What kind of hubris would I have to have to think that our natural resources are infinite? I felt truly blessed to have grown up in a period of time not having to worry about the next weather disaster. What kind of hubris would I have not to care about future generations? Let's do all we can to make future generations feel blessed too. I haven't given up all hope that we can't do something to stop this climate crisis. I know that we certainly need to vote. We need to educate ourselves about the sources of campaign donations. If we arrest climate change, can we reverse some of it? Maybe some of you are talented scientists or know some.
In the meantime, I have something great and hopeful that we can do! You know "Think globally, act locally?" Of course you do because you already cared enough to support this petition! Well, I am on the board of a fledgling organization called the Durham Wildlife Stewards who has officially adopted Sandy Creek Environmental Park through Durham's Parks and Rec' as our park to protect and preserve!
What is Durham Wildlife Stewards doing? We are offering free programs by wildlife experts for the public to enjoy, including nature hikes about frogs, birds, moths, butterflies, beavers and forest bathing plus more education about the park itself which has an interesting and rich history. We have a thriving pollinator garden and like just about anywhere, we have a lot of invasive plants to remove. We will be planting native plants and trees in the place of invasive plants and trees. Native plants and trees support our native wildlife. Invasive plants and trees either do not support native wildlife at all or do so in the harmful way of allowing invasives to choke out natives. We have volunteer days for both coming in the fall. Would you like to join us? Would you like to become a member/supporter of DWS? Since we are a new organization, we really need funds for all of our ambitious programs. We would love it in case you now want to redirect into celebrating our tremendous win to become a member, supporter, participant or volunteer of Durham Wildlife Stewards! Help support Durham Wildlife Stewards by donating or sharing with your friends.
If you would like to donate, you can do so here:
https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=VYM7GELRYN29L
Financial contributions to DWS extend the capacity of this all-volunteer organization. 100% of donations go to programming.
If you prefer, you can send a check to Durham Wildlife Stewards Treasurer, 5210 Kemmont Dr., Durham, NC 27713
You can find out about our upcoming events on our Facebook/Meta page:
https://www.facebook.comdurhamwildlifestewards
Thank you again for all of the support that you have given for this amazing win and for any support that you can give for the continuing protection and preservation for Sandy Creek Environmental Park & Wetlands!