KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A new campaign has been launched to purchase and preserve 12 acres of undeveloped woodland next to the Kleinstuck Preserve.
The movement comes by way of a group called the Stewards of Kleinstuck, which is made up of Kalamazoo citizens and conservationists. The campaign is officially titled “Keep Kalamazoo Wild™”
According to a statement from the group, the potential sale and development of the property at 2000 Hudson Avenue presents a threat to the ecosystem of the Kleinstuck Preserve, and the campaign is meant to preserve the natural features of the area.
“In these uncertain times, it has become all the more clear to how important nature is in our community. We have seen a marked increase in the use of the Kleinstuck Preserve since the COVID-19 pandemic began, as people turn to the comfort found in the natural world when the stresses of the human world seem overwhelming. Our sincere hope is to see this additional 12 acres remain in its natural state and open to the public forever,” Campaign President Erin Fuller said in a statement.
According to the organization, the property in question went up for sale in October of 2019. The group is hoping to raise funds to purchase this land to prevent it from being developed into commercial residential property.
If that were the case, the property could be developed for up to 100 residential units.
Citing mandatory stay-at-home orders amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the group says that more people are turning to outdoor areas as a means of reducing stress.
They also pointed out the public backlash against the prospect of a car wash being developed near Asylum Lake earlier this year as another example of the public desire to preserve natural sites.
Citizens interested in learning more about this preservation campaign can do so online at https://www.keepkalamazoowild.com/.
All funds donated will be used toward the purchase of the property, and if the campaign falls through, they will instead be used to help create a “healthier, more diverse and beautiful ecosystem in the Kleinstuck Preserve.”
