Part literature review, part political appeal, this article makes the case for rethinking the concept of what makes plants native—especially in the face of climate change.
Erle C. Ellis writes of the scientific approach to conserving biodiversity as the footprint of human settlement spreads across the planet—an approach that requires several breaks from the status quo.
First Erle argues that cities are the most important location for the fight to conserve biodiversity: "As climate change, land use, pollution, and other anthropogenic forces displace wildlife from their historical habitats, urbanizing landscapes are increasingly where the conservation action is — and needs to be."
Then Earle sets about debunking a widely held assumption about the kinds of plants that comprise urban biodiversity:
Nevertheless, a focus on native plantings as the key to biodiversity conservation in urban areas can create more problems than it can solve. To begin with, the concept of “native species” itself can be the problem.
With a bit more detail:
To define a spatial limit where a species is “native” — and where it is not — when climate is changing so rapidly may already be more of a problem than a solution.
Instead of turning the built environment into a kind of museum for biodiversity, Earle suggests instead that it's time to "embrace a dynamic vision of what it means to be native — to belong in a place — whether it is urban, agricultural, semi-natural or wild."
FULL STORY: Cultures of nature: What does it mean to be native in the city?
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County
Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours
The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.
New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths
Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.
AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth
Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Tufts University, Department of Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.