When I was younger, the woods near my home were my playground. My friends and I would shoot bb guns and ride bikes after school, lost among the trees. However, those much-beloved woods have been replaced with town homes, not only in my neighborhood but almost everywhere else. Our natural spaces are being forcefully taken over by uncontrolled urbanization, leaving little room for relaxation, play and the serenity that greenery offers.

Green spaces are dwindling at an alarming rate, with developers focusing on profits rather than preserving the environment and health of the community. Research has shown that access to the great outdoors is associated with better mental and physical health, as well as improved cognitive development in children (Health & Place Journal, 2016).

But it's not just humans who are losing out. The World Wildlife Fund reports that deforestation for the sake of urbanization threatens the biodiversity of our planet, leading to loss of habitat for countless species.

We have to guard these wild spaces for the sake of future generations – for their play, their health, and the continued biodiversity of our planet.

Let us say 'no' to the incessant building of town homes in our woods and green spaces. Sign the petition. Help save our natural habitats from being swallowed by concrete. Demand that our local government recognize the importance of green spaces in our communal lives and implement laws to protect these precious areas. STOP THE BUILDING!!!