briar east woodland dunes

protection or progress…

I like to explore parks and other nature areas when I visit places, and will often engage in litter cleanup when I do. I want to highlight a conservation effort in northern Indiana, an area I would love to visit. However, even if I go, I might not ever be able to visit.

Despite opposition, Briar East Woodland Dunes in Hammond, Indiana was recently blocked off with chain-link fencing in order to propel plans for a railroad overpass project that will significantly destroy much of this 32 acre natural area.

One person’s comment on Google Maps referred to it as, “Its [sic] a dump site that 12 people think is something special, not a woods.”

Fortunately, more of the comments mirrored this perspective, “Incredible beauty. A gem in an area of NWI that really needs nature. Worth visiting and fighting for.”

Because I try to be a critical thinker, below I am providing links that inform readers of positions both for and against the protection of this natural environment, as well as coverage from a local news source, mostly unbiased.

• FOR the overpass proposal
  In defense to cut through the old growth forest, here is the mayor’s argument: https://www.governorsparkwayoverpass.com/

• AGAINST the overpass proposal
  Save Briar East Woods page:
  https://www.savebriareastwoods.com/

• UNBIASED coverage of the overpass proposal
  Most recent news (dated 5 days before this post publication) This local news report offers a comprehensive background as well as the current status of this issue: https://wgntv.com/video/hammonds-new-overpass-plans-ignite-protests-over-urban-forest-and-development/10587852

My Take:

I am not abstaining from sharing my personal position: I want to protect this land. I have done some research to inform my opinion and, after all of the evidence, I remain steadfast in my commitment to inform, persuade, and act accordingly.

I can appreciate that the mayor is now including a more convenient pedestrian bridge where it is needed most (one that does not affect the land) and that will mitigate concerns for those who argue against the 2 mile walk to the proposed overpass. However, he denies that there are other, less expensive options, besides his vehicle overpass, that work better and that won’t destroy a last-remaining, rare piece of nature. What has surfaced instead is an agenda to develop the land for commercial and housing ventures, not improve safety.

I used to be appeased when developers said they were planting more trees in place of the ones cut down. But I’ve learned that new growth cannot replace old growth’s complex ecosystem, biodiversity, or carbon storage abilities. To add more perspective, unique to this old growth forest, Briar East Woodland Dunes is home to the black oak savannah, the most endangered ecosystem in the world, where only .02% remains in the world. I don’t know a lot about the topographical importance of this area, except that the 4,700 year-old sand dune woodland, a remnant of the original terrain of the ancient shoreline of Lake Michigan, will be covered with concrete if this development ensues.

Can you see the forest through the trees? There is more to a city than new financial growth and investments – let the old trees grow and invest in nature.

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