Meet Olivia Peters. Only 12-years-old, she has singlehandedly scaled back a construction project that would eliminate an old-growth forest in Surrey, British Columbia.

What's that all aboot you're thinking?

She was out for a walk with her mother and noticed the trees were covered with tags and orange paint to make way for a massive housing development. She wrote a letter to Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts, asking her if she might perhaps disallow this housing development from being built.

Here's an excerpt: We were highly disappointed because this forest is in the area where I grew up and am currently growing up, and I don’t want to think of it as a place for new houses or even a park to be built,” writes Olivia. “Some trees in the forest are nearly 100 years old and it’s not right to be cutting these trees down. A lot of Surrey has no more forests, and I think we really need to protect areas where there are still some left… A lot of people say that you are doing this for the future of Surrey. Well, I and a lot of my friends and family are the future of Surrey, and if plans like this keep getting the thumbs up, there will be no future for Surrey.” 

The letter was picked up by the local paper and city leaders took notice- and the wooded area was preserved. 

You can read the letter in its entirety HERE. Major props to Olivia for speaking her voice. It certainly shows how the power of engaging can make a difference, no matter your age. Check more coverage over at Inhabitat.

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