Dear SavetheArb Supporters,
Great news! We have been in touch with University of Michigan administrators, who assured us that “The university is dedicated to the preservation of the Nichols Arboretum which, for more than a century, has been nurtured and appreciated as a special and unique natural community resource. For these reasons, U-M plans to only consider potential routes that would not pass through the Arb.” The statement is posted here, in the Campus Plan 2050 Updates section on the Automated Transit System titled “What about the Arb?”
We are encouraged, pleased, and grateful to know that UM has heard and acknowledged the message from all of us about the importance of the Arb to the community of people, plants, and wildlife as a significant part of our local ecosystem.
Many thanks to Professor Grese for his leadership, to the Ann Arbor Area Wild Ones native plant organization, to the Michigan Botanical Society-Huron Valley Chapter, and to the Bird Center of Washtenaw for advocacy based on deep knowledge of the plants, animals and natural systems of the Arb.
You all are a big reason that we have reached this point. Over 9,700 individuals signed the petition to SavetheArb, with many of you adding heartfelt comments and sharing the petition with others. Your support gave significant momentum to the petition and power to our collective message. We will be communicating with University of Michigan and City of Ann Arbor leaders about your support and the longterm goal of protecting the Arb in perpetuity.
We will end the petition process for now. We plan follow the progress of the monorail project and will keep you posted on any changes. In the meantime, please consider sending a message of appreciation to the leaders responsible for decisions. Another message of appreciation and a reminder from you will help to SavetheArb for the future.
With appreciation,
SavetheArb Action Team
Send thank you messages to:
UM President presoff@umich.edu
UM Regents umregents@umich.edu
City Council & Mayor CityCouncil@a2gov.org
Ann Arbor City Administrator Milton Dohoney mdohoney@a2gov.org