At this writing, as we await the decision of the UNC Board of Governors on the future of 45 acres of urban forest on UNC Asheville’s campus, I can’t help but reflect on how things have changed in the two years since I graduated.
During my time as a student, environmental science consistently ranked among the top programs in terms of enrollment. This makes sense, particularly given the unique natural surroundings of Asheville, which I’m sure are a big draw for students interested in the natural sciences. Taking away the forest would take away unique, hands-on learning opportunities for these students.
Any claim that the forest goes “unused,” simply is not true, as there has been significant research funding tied to that land. These projects will disappear if it’s lost, along with future opportunities for funding. What kind of message does it send to these students and faculty that their institution is seeking to replace a living lab with a soccer stadium?…