Help Us Save the Thurston Nature Center: Legal Fund

UPDATE:

We have an important update regarding our efforts to protect the Thurston Nature Center. First and foremost, we extend our deepest gratitude for your unwavering support. Your generous donations, swift responses to calls to action, petition signatures, and tireless outreach to elected officials have been a powerful demonstration of our community's shared commitment. We truly could not pursue this vital work without you.

As many of you know, construction at the Thurston site is officially starting. We understand the concerns this raises, to provide clarity we have prepared a brief legal update for you.

In early June, our attorneys at Bodman PLC filed a motion for preliminary injunction with the 22nd Circuit Court in Washtenaw County. A preliminary injunction would have temporarily halted construction while the litigation is pending. On June 24th, our motion was heard before Judge Patrick Conlin. Our hope was to either have our motion granted at this hearing or, alternatively, for the judge to schedule an evidentiary hearing to allow us to present further evidence we have gathered in support of our position. However, Judge Conlin denied our motion for preliminary injunction and decided not to proceed with an evidentiary hearing. As a result of this ruling, construction at the Thurston site has continued.

While this decision is undoubtedly a setback, please know we are far from giving up. We are now carefully and thoroughly evaluating all available legal avenues and considering our next strategic steps. Our commitment to protecting the trees, birds, bees, and the overall ecological integrity of the Thurston Nature Center remains as strong as ever. We recognize how difficult it is to witness the impacts on our beloved community space and the wildlife that call it home.

Despite the challenges, we ask you to stay hopeful and remain vigilant alongside us. Your continued support — whether through staying informed, participating in future actions, or simply spreading awareness — is invaluable as we navigate this complex process. We will continue to keep you informed as developments unfold.

Thank you for standing with us.

Protect The Thurston Nature Center:

The Thurston Nature Center, one of the oldest continuously operating environmental education centers in the country, is under immediate threat. Created by the founder of global environmental education, Dr. William Stapp, and protected since the 1960s, this beloved space is home to hundreds of wildlife species, native plants, and educational ecosystems that have inspired generations of students.

This historic site is at risk due to re-building Thurston Elementary on-site. Rather than temporarily place the kids at an alternative school (staging), AAPS and their development team elected to place the new school in the northern green spaces, encroaching into the nature center. The plan was developed without meaningful community engagement, and received public opposition from local leaders, environmental experts and community members. Despite this, the AAPS Board of Education voted to proceed on February 26, 2025.

Preliminary construction has already begun. Trees have been transplanted, some cut down, and future deforestation and removal of open green spaces is planned. The end result will be a new building directly on top of several habitats and a lasting negative impact on what remains. This is a huge problem, but we can stop it by acting now.

We Want A New School - But With Sustainability:

We believe in the need for a new school. However, this is not an acceptable site location. We support a sustainable, community-driven alternative site plan that protects this unique space and its nearly 60-year legacy. AAPS must be willing to pay for staging and protect an environmental and educational treasure.

Public Opposition:

Hundreds of area residents, numerous Thurston teachers, multiple elected leaders at the county and state level, and environmental experts (Huron River Watershed Council, Ann Arbor Wild Ones, Washtenaw Bird & Nature Alliance and Leslie Science & Nature Center) have voiced public opposition. Despite this, the building construction is proceeding.

Legal Action:

We’re preparing to take legal action to stop construction in the Nature Center and demand a better solution. We want to ensure students are not learning on an active construction site for two to four years.

Multiple legal experts have reviewed the case, and believe there is a strong path forward. But we can’t do it without your help.

We need to raise $25,000 by April 30th to cover: Legal fees, Court and filing costs, Expert witnesses & Environmental and site analysis.

How You Can Help The Legal Fund:

We’re asking supporters to consider a $60 donation—that’s $1 for every year the Nature Center has served our children and community. But any amount helps, and your voice matters just as much as your donation.

About Us:

We are a coalition of community members including current Thurston/AAPS parents, residents and people who care about our environment. We would love for you to be a part of it - we welcome everyone to join us in these efforts.

Together, we can protect our land, our waterways, the wildlife and this vital space for future generations at Thurston.

With hope and determination,

Let Thurston Play

Please Note:

This is a community-led effort by the organization Let Thurston Play, LLC The mission of the organization is to protect and keep the Thurston area safe for both the wildlife and the community. It is working to protect green spaces for play and learning at the Thurston Nature Center. Let Thurston Play, LLC organization is not affiliated with the Thurston Nature Center Committee (TNCC) organization.

Our transfer plan is to hold donations in a bank account maintained by Let Thurston Play LLC, who will disburse funds as legal costs are billed. These costs include legal fees, court and filing costs, expert witnesses & environmental and site analysis.

Any unused funds will go towards supporting the Thurston Nature Center for restoration efforts via the non-profit Thurston Nature Center Committee's direct donation to their bank via bank check.

GoFundMe.com is the only way we are able to accept donations for this effort which can be made anonymously or by name. The GoFundMe tip feature is optional. To change it, use the slider or "Enter custom tip”.