My family and I showed up for our usual weekend visit to Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve, expecting a simple, familiar outing.
But the Discovery Room was dark. Locked. Closed.

I went inside and found just one staff member. One park ranger, doing their best, who gently explained to my toddlers that there isn’t enough staff to keep it open on weekends right now, and that hours may be limited during the week as well.

They were so disappointed. It was hard to explain why.

That moment made something very real click. This isn’t just about staffing numbers. It’s about what our community is quietly losing access to.

As a longtime resident and supporter of Weymouth Woods, I felt called to do something. That’s why this petition exists.

Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve is a vital part of the Moore County community. It offers accessible trails, environmental education, and a peaceful space for residents and visitors to connect with nature.

Recent cuts to seasonal staffing threaten the preserve’s ability to maintain trails, provide educational programming, keep the Discovery Room open, and ensure a safe, welcoming experience for the public.

We, the undersigned, respectfully ask North Carolina State Parks to prioritize restoring seasonal staff positions at Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve.

Investing in this preserve is an investment in our community’s wellbeing, environmental stewardship, and access to nature.

If you’ve spent time at Weymouth Woods and care about keeping spaces like this accessible, I invite you to sign and share this petition.

Once signatures are collected, they will be shared with NC State Parks as part of this request.

For those willing to take one extra step, sending a quick message directly to North Carolina State Parks can make an even greater impact.

Thank you for your support,

Liz Fleming