Save Stadium Woods - Virginia Tech

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UPDATE 8/22/12

The woods are safe for now but administration still has not guaranteed its longterm protection. We need to keep the administration accountable for the longevity of this rare old growth forest. We need to continue to advocate for the permanent preservation of Stadium Woods in a conservation easement. As a land-grant institution this should be a no-brainer.


Visit the Stadium Woods website to learn more. http://www.savestadiumwoods.com/

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RECAP

Hidden behind Virginia Tech's Lane Stadium is an 11 acre tract of forest known as 'Stadium Woods'. This woodland is a rare fragment of old growth forest that supports white oaks over 300 hundred years old. Stadium Woods is a living ecosystem and wildlife habitat that provides vital ecological functions, aesthetic and social benefits, and is a migration sanctuary for bird species from south and central America.
The Virginia Tech football program has proposed to clear a 3-5 acre portion of this old growth forest in order to build a 100,000 sq. ft., 90 ft. tall, $25 million, indoor practice field. We do not oppose the construction of this practice facility. However, we do believe that the proposed structure can be constructed elsewhere. The Friends of Stadium Woods are asking that you consider signing the petition below to help us save this one last remaining remnant of old growth forest.

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All interviewees are Virginia Tech students, professors, or Blacksburg residents.

Special thanks to Grazia for all the help.

SUBSCRIBE for future videos!

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Filmed and edited by Christopher Risch using:
Canon EOS 600D Rebel T3i, 28-135mm Ultrasonic Lens
GoPro Hero 2
Final Cut Pro X

Please contact me at chriscrisch@gmail.com for questions or if you are have ideas or contacts for future environmental film opportunities.

• Category

  Nonprofits & Activism

[redbull]

Incredibly moving video! Creating media attention is the first step to creating change. Liked and Favorited!

[akeithsmith]

This isn't a football issue. This is a deforestation issue. It irritates me to no end that people continuously bring up the "costs" of not having this facility build. WE ARE NOT AGAINST HAVING A NEW FACILITY (obviously, since most of the protesters are students and eternal fans of the athletic program here). WE INSIST THAT THE ADMINISTRATION DOESN'T NEED TO SACRIFICE A 300-400 YEAR OLD FOREST TO DO IT.

[lsi624]

Christopher Risch...Not sure how I found your video but its an inspiration for everyone out there that appreciates and understands a loss of habitat is a loss of life.

[colorfulwonder]

YES. Thank you.

[rlwremo]

You clearly don't understand the point here. As someone said above, it's not about football, it's preserving something that predates the university. There are other soloutions. As one VT student says in the video "it's embarrassing" and "it's irresponsible".

[Kellys90049]

Again, TREES (they) have the right to be there!! They are there before VT is there...so maybe you should appreciate they give VT a place to be there in day one!! so, save the trees!! what else, I am promising myself not buying football tickets to support them!! Coz all they care are money!!

[Kellys90049]

as a student in tech, we do not need new facilities, we are not using it...only the football people are using it, students are not benefited from it...but we are benefits from the 300 year old trees!! When i am stressed out by the study, I can go into wood and relax and breath the fresh air!! and knowing I am enjoying the 300 year old surrounding...rather than whole bunch of concretes, stones, and walls!! so, please move ur facilities somewhere else in blacksburg, we have plenty of lands around.

[Kellys90049]

My another suggestion is that you use the $20million money and distribute back to students so their tuition/fee are cut down...rather than you are complaining we do not have money so we need to increase tuition and fee!! thanks...VT!!

[Kellys90049]

I shared in fb, signed petition, donated $, and wrote to white house

So, please saves the trees, we can build/destroy/rebuild building at no time but we cannot grow a tree at no time.It takes 300 years and generations to watch its growth.They are treasures to VT, and I don't know how they think.Guess..Trees do not bring $ on table so they don't count, but football does! Human greed! I'll stop buying ftball ticket if trees are gone!

[TheYeomanDroid]

No kidding. This reminds me of the mentality of the 1950s and 1960s, destroying American Heritage in the name of "progress."

[TheYeomanDroid]

Whoever proposed building this project without any consideration for these trees should summarily be removed from the payrolls of VT! Idiots!

[Virginia Ingram]

How about we use all the money from this awesome practice field and use it to buy new 350 year old trees? Oh wait you can't do that. They are trying to destroy something irreplaceable with something that is easily relocated.