The Stadium Woods on the campus of Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg represent one of only a handful of old-growth stands of forest left on the East Coast. The powers that be at the school have recently proposed to cut about a quarter of the 11 acre woods to build a new indoor practice facility for the football team. This is not sitting well with much of the student body, faculty and Blacksburg area residents.
The main issue on campus is not the actual building of the facility, but the location. The Stadium Woods is one of the rarest pieces of natural history left on the East Coast, containing great white oaks that are over 350 years old. As the video below demonstrates, opponents of the construction plan point to alternative sites on campus that will not require the destruction of any of this unique eco-system. A petition is being circulated and Virginia Tech administrators are having closed-door meetings to discuss the project and any alternatives. A ruling is expected by June 1.
This short documentary style video was put together by some VT undergraduate students and does a great job of explaining both sides of the controversy.
For more information, check out http://www.savestadiumwoods.
Here is a Washington Post article from earlier in the month outlining the controversy.
