Graham Woods on the University of Florida campus is not just a forest, but a sanctuary—a precious green heart within the bustling field of sports and academia.  Through UF's long history, it has stood relatively untouched just southwest of the O'Connell Basketball Center as a 7.5 acre testament to the beauty and diversity of Florida's natural habitat.  While primarily a Conservation Area, it also serves several stormwater pipes and canals, doubling its functionality for people and for nature.  It is home to roughly 1000 trees, including 67 large heritage trees, along with biking and walking paths, and even the endangered Florida Milkvine among other uncommon plants.

However, this natural haven is under existential threat.  The University is planning to clear-cut these woods for an "improvement" plan (UF-708, see pg. 41) to put in a couple stormwater ponds, severing the lifeline of numerous species and eradicating potential archaeological sites.  The devastation doesn't stop at the forest; it extends to the hundreds of ecological roles these trees play—from regulating air quality, providing habitat for wildlife, to contributing to our own health and well-being.  With approximately 4.2 acres of critical wetlands at risk of being turned into a shadeless, joyless, and lifeless retention area, the University must find a way to preserve the majority of Graham Woods while fixing the limited problems of erosion and pipe maintenance within it.  Not considering alternatives is unacceptable.

The disappearance of such a vital green space on campus reflects a concerning trend.  Just recently, the University needlessly felled over 150 trees nearby (32 being heritage-sized) as part of the demolition of several dormitories, including Trusler, Simpson, and Graham Hall (from which the Woods gets its name).  UF could have saved most of those trees and just taken down the buildings, but chose not to.  This systematic erasure of nature cannot continue unchallenged, especially when alternative erosion-control designs and pipe locations for stormwater problems exist. Preserving Graham Woods with the majority of its current trees would not only protect its delicate ecosystem, but also uphold the University's commitment to sustainability and stewardship of its environment.

Just as concerning is the fact that UF has recently not been transparent in its decision making.  It initially listed this project as a "minor" project without much discussion when in fact it may be the largest loss of tree canopy on campus in generations (947 trees, 67 being heritage), with a price tag for destruction of at least $10 million in taxpayer dollars, not to mention the $455,500 in tree mitigation costs.  Several recent articles also pointed out the public's concerns with UF's potential violations of Sunshine Law in their meetings and lack of following their own environmental protection policies.

We urge the University of Florida to immediately halt all plans to destroy Graham Woods and, instead, explore sustainable erosion-control and stormwater designs within it which will maintain the Woods as much as possible as a natural, not manmade, habitat.  Consider alternative locations for stormwater retention, including the recently cleared area to the south around historic Graham Pond.  Change UF policy to ensure that heritage trees are prioritized for protection, and avoided for removal in all but the most extreme cases, and even then, consider tree relocation when possible.  But most of all, as a public university, get public input on such major projects first.  It's essential to recognize the intrinsic value of Graham Woods—not just as a piece of land, but as a living, breathing asset that enriches our community and can control stormwater without losing all its habitat.

Join us in our fight to save Graham Woods. Sign this petition to voice your support for this irreplaceable treasure and demand sustainable practices that honor both educational and environmental legacies.  Together, let's stand as guardians of the green places that nurture us all.