Dear Community,

I request the town of Nederland to cast permanent protection around one area: From Rodeo Court southeast along the shoreline of the lake to the Arroyo and then back along the north side of Lakeview Drive to the corner with Rodeo Court.

The lodgepole pines and the aspen grove which grows in that area have the right to exist in their own right and to contribute and fulfill their purpose for being. I asked what they would like to say to people, “We would appreciate your support to continue our service to you.”

The trees and protected nature spaces such as these make our town livable and beautiful. Trees have great intelligence and sensitivity! They love to be appreciated.

Certainly it is part of my own sanity to relate to this area right across the street from where I live, after losing my lodging in the forest of Ridge Road where I lived in community with the trees there.

I consider these lodgepole pines and the aspen grove to be part of my community; they are my friends, whom I visit and converse with. Once a month I offer a special blessing to them to balance their energies, strengthen their cohesiveness in the face of any negative human impact or neglect of them and this place where they live.

Many people use this area I’ve named to walk in, walk dogs, enjoy the nature it offers, and Wild Bear brings children there for nature experiences. It is an important area of nature-connection for many folks.

Human beings don’t live well jammed in and on top of each other, without natural nature spaces around them. Taking spaces such as these to put in more buildings is a mistake.

Please consider creating permanent protection for this part of our community to remain a contributing member. I offer my voice to speak for them. I speak as a 30 year mountain resident; and 4.5 year Nederland town resident.

Yes, I among many wish for affordable housing, but not at the expense of losing important nature areas and trees such as this area I describe. As part of the watershed, this area falls under the Rights of Nature Protection accorded the Boulder Creek/ watershed of our town.

Thanks for considering.

Bonnie Sundance

Nederland