According to the CDC, 6 out of every 10 known infectious diseases in people can be spread from animals. It is also estimated that 3 out of every 4 new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals. Zoonotic diseases are caused by germs that can spread between animals and people. We must take immediate action to prevent the further spread of zoonotic disease by allocating every Indiana county with land dedicated to preserving wildlife. No hunting, trespassing, or property development may occur in these reserved areas.

 The square footage of these spaces is dependent on the size of the county, its population size, and its relative risk of zoonotic disease, as determined by Lyme Disease prevalence. Disruptions to the environment due to climate change, including rising temperatures and changing precipitation levels, are responsible for the destruction of animal habitats. Approximately 85% of Indiana's original wetlands have been destroyed, significantly reducing habitats for wildlife. In the face of the catastrophic effects of climate change, this petition is meant to protect vulnerable species that are victims of habitat loss. This resonates with me as a Hoosier who has seen an increase in lost and confused deer and coyotes in residential areas.

With species like bats, deer, and rodents increasingly finding their way into residential zones, the health concern of rabies has increased. If a given county is deemed to contain adequate undeveloped land that is viable for animals (as determined by the Indiana Wildlife Federation, it can be exempt from this state-wide requiremen)t. Should this request from fellow concerned Hoosiers fail to succeed, climate change will only continue to ravage our natural habitats, worsening the prevalence of wild animals in residential areas and thus, the spread of zoonotic diseases. In the interest of human health as well as the safety of our Indiana wildlife, support this petition to the Indiana Environmental Affairs Legislative Committee to create district-wide animal reservation spaces amidst worsening climate change.