On April 6th, 2016, approximately 70 students, faculty, and staff members met to discuss the Native Plants Study Area's future existence.  At this meeting, it was brought to our (the students) attention that this area is being considered for the construction of a newly proposed dormitory.  On April 11th, 2016, President Erickson stated that approximately 15-20% of the area would be affected.  Questioning this statement proved the statistic false.  Considering the retention pond at the end of the Native Plant Study Area (which was originally left out of the statistical analysis), a larger and more significant part of the Native Plant Study Area will be affected.  With that being said, the area will suffer if administration does not consider all possible outcomes.

The administration at Northern believe a new dorm would improve overall enrollment, but they need to seriously recognize and consider the benefits of this study area.  This petition is being created to show administration how important this area is to the students and faculty at Northern Michigan University.

The Native Plants Study Area is a place where nature, education, and community come together.  Students are given opportunities to research the wildlife, run and study a pump well, spend time outdoors with their professor; all while having the opportunity to gain hands on experience. This area brings students and faculty together. 

Also, clubs and their faculty advisers meet there.  They spend time tending to the plants or working on the trail.  Together, they take pride in creating a positive atmosphere for students to utilize.

If this strip of area (the retention pond and the other 15%) is destroyed, there could be future complications to the surrounding environment.  If approximately 30-40% (this is a rough estimate with the inclusion of the retention pond) of this area is affected, the entire ecology will be compromised. To all of us, we see this area as an important part of NMU.  This place has brought us together as a community.  This petition is important because we, as a community, need to assure the future of the Native Plant Study Area and the future of NMU.

To fellow students and faculty, please take the time to sign this petition and share stories about the area.  We must stand together as a community to prove the Native Plants Study Area's importance.

To administration, we hope this petition helps you make an educated and well thought out decision. We also hope that the town hall meetings and the future meetings will inspire the administration to strive for what the students, faculty, and remaining community want and need.

Thank you to all who have taken the time to consider this cause,

Abigail Winters