Celebrating and Protecting Biodiversity

Park and recreation agencies have an important role to play in safeguarding biodiversity. Learn more about how they contribute to the preservation of diverse ecosystems.

1 minute read

September 10, 2023, 11:00 AM PDT

By Clement Lau


View of purple, orange, and yellow wildflowers on hillside during California superbloom

Yo Creo Content / Adobe Stock

The term biodiversity comes from “biological diversity” and refers to the variety of life in a certain place. While often measured by the number of species, it can be applied at various scales from genes to species to ecosystems. Biodiversity provides numerous benefits, including ecosystem services like air and water purification, natural beauty, food security, resilience to climate change, and mental and physical health and well-being.

Park and recreation agencies play a pivotal role in celebrating and protecting biodiversity. As custodians of some of the most diverse and ecologically significant regions, park agencies and their actions have far-reaching impacts on both the local ecosystems and global conservation efforts. In this article, park planner Clement Lau discusses four ways that park agencies celebrate and protect biodiversity, with specific examples of how the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) carries them out:

  • Establish and maintain protected areas.
  • Develop and implement plans and policies.
  • Offer public education and increase awareness.
  • Collaborate with conservation organizations and other partners.

To learn more, please read the source article.

Tuesday, September 5, 2023 in National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico

An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

May 16 - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes

Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

May 16 - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels

Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.

May 16 - Mass Transit