In a disappointing end to a heated discussion at the Dec. 17 UCA Board of Trustees meeting, the board voted 4-2 to protect the Jewel Moore Nature Reserve for only five years, refusing to protect the nature reserve from being destroyed forever. Steven Runge, chair of the Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, made a convincing presentation to the board regarding the permanent protection of the Jewel Moore Nature Reserve, located along Farris Road on UCA campus, that the board chose not to approve. The protection would be ensured by the Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission. The “conservation easement” would not only protect the land from being destroyed by construction until another group of board members overturned the resolution; it would protect the land “forever.” Runge’s presentation highlighted something few people probably know about the nature reserve. It is truly invaluable as a resource, because the nearly 19 acres of land in the nature reserve have never been plowed. Thanks to renewed protection over the years and careful work by the science department, UCA can boast several acres of virgin prairie located on campus, as well as a number of other extremely unique and valuable characteristic. The science departments have not yet completed a full survey of the land, but there are hundreds of animal and plant species unique to this nature reserve that are not found in nearby land. The trustees’ dilemma was understandable: as board member Kay Hinkle said, it is impossible to predict what the future holds for UCA. This small piece of land, however, is something that should be protected by whatever means possible. It is something that is bigger than UCA: once destroyed, this school can never regrow this valuable educational resource. Building grow old and need constant attention and repair, but this invaluable piece of land requires only the attention and funding the science departments have already been giving it for years. The trustees should be careful of the message they’re sending by failing to permanently protect the Jewel Moore Nature Reserve. In the long run, what is more important: education and resources or growth and expansion? Education should always be the top priority, and this kind of resource can never be found again if it is destroyed. Runge said after the meeting that he intends to continue and fight for the permanent protection of the nature reserve. Five years is simply not enough, and the reserve needs a protection more powerful than UCA, so that in the future it can never be removed. Runge was thoughtful of other departments and facilities on campus before making this proposal. He met with a number of other departments on campus, working and compromising to find an area that every group was comfortable dedicating to the nature reserve, forever. If so many departments on campus were willing to make that decision, the board of trustees should have followed suit and listened to the people who are infinitely involved with the university. It is our hope that Runge will continue to pursue protection of the Jewel Moore Nature Reserve. If he expands his goal to other groups on campus, such as the Student Government Association and receives support from more departments, the board of trustees should listen to the people closely involved and approve protection of this unique UCA landmark.