Urban wildlife

Coyote walking down paved road in Los Angeles park.

The Year in Urban Wildlife

A roundup of stories about the creatures that share our cities.

December 27, 2023 - Bloomberg CityLab

Group of sparrows sitting on decorative metal fence.

The Disparate Impacts of Urban Noise

Research shows higher levels of noise in formerly redlined neighborhoods, disrupting the health of both human and animal residents.

December 7, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Lake in city park with ducks in foreground and city skyline across the lake in the background.

The Resiliency of Urban Wildlife

A wide-ranging research study highlights the various qualities that make animal species living in urban environments thrive—and how biodiversity improves the health of our cities.

September 19, 2023 - Wired

Mountain Lion

L.A. Wildlife Crossing To Break Ground This Spring

The planned wildlife bridge spanning an eight-lane freeway will be the world's largest and most ambitious project of its kind.

January 18, 2022 - Curbed

Pigeons on the Empire State Building, New York City, USA.

Saving Birds By Design

Reflective glass high-rises kill millions of birds each year, but bird-friendly design can save birds and reduce energy consumption.

January 6, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Deer eating an orange on a Banff street

Returning to a Wilder World

The pandemic induced an accidental 'rewilding' in many places as animals took over cities and streets devoid of humans. As we emerge from our isolation, can we co-exist peacefully?

August 25, 2021 - High Country News

City Bird

For the Birds: Why Designing for Birds is Good for Everyone

A new book spotlights how bird-friendly design makes for healthier and more pleasant cities for all species.

February 12, 2021 - Fast Company

Squirrel

The Central Park Squirrel Census

Some people ask why anyone would want to do a census of all the squirrels in Central Park. Others ask why not?

October 18, 2019 - CityLab

Squirrel

The Fascinating World of Urban Evolution

Animals are not only evolving in remarkable ways to meet the challenges of urban environments, but they are doing it quickly.

October 4, 2019 - Wired

Urban Wildlife Pulled Off Death-Defying Stunts in St. Paul and D.C. This Week

Call it wildlife gone urban.

June 15, 2018 - MPR News

Mountain Lion

The Best Locations for L.A.’s Mountain Lion Freeway Bridges

A coalition of researchers have identified one area near the 101 and other near I-15 that would help keep the big cats alive and healthy.

May 28, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Capitol Reflecting Pool

Ramps to Help Ducks in and out of the Capitol Reflecting Pool Make a Big Splash

There was a tiny bit of cuteness to emerge from the news in Washington, D.C. this week. Partisan bickering soon followed.

May 18, 2017 - Greater Greater Washington

Mountain Lion

Sunday Fun: The Mountain Lions of Los Angeles Get Their Own Social Media Presence

The National Park Service has launched the Puma Profiles, making it easier to explore the lives of the city's largest collection of feral residents.

November 6, 2016 - KPCC

Moving to Cities in Droves: Wildlife, of Course

There are animals among us. Boars in Berlin, coyotes in Washington, D.C., and mountain lions in Los Angeles are just a few examples of the wildest populations moving to cities.

April 29, 2015 - National Geographic

Massive Swan Kill Planned in New York

“Across millennia [mute swans] symbolized transformation and devotion, light and beauty,” says a recent article in Wired. Not so much in New York City, where the city’s population of mute swans will be reduced to zero to protect other native species.

February 7, 2014 - Wired

A Safe Haven for Economic Benefits

A recent study concludes that investment in wildlife refuges leads to economic rewards.

June 15, 2012 - THE DIRT

When California Mountain Lions Become City Dwellers

As urban sprawl continues to encroach on what was once expansive habitat for mountain lions, the large predators have been involved in more encounters with humans in urban settings.

November 29, 2010 - The San Francisco Chronicle

Urban "Window Kills" Threaten Bird Populations

Billions of North American birds are killed each year by flying into windows, studies suggest.

January 20, 2009 - The Winnipeg Free Press

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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.