A roundup of stories about the creatures that share our cities.
Writing in Bloomberg CityLab, Linda Poon rounds up some 2023 highlights featuring urban wildlife “To illustrate how our changing cities are shaping the lives of animals.”
The article mentions a bear who wandered into the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, noting that bear activity is increasing around the country as bears seek out food in shrinking habitats. On the plus side, the United States is finally investing in wildlife crossings, with the world’s largest breaking ground in Los Angeles.
In New York, two dolphins were spotted in the Bronx River, “not only a rare treat for New Yorkers but also a sign that the city’s clean-up effort is making progress.” In Chicago, a family of red foxes took up residence in Millennium Park.
See the source article to learn about New York City’s rat czar, a Tasmanian seal, and more animal-related news.
Read the full story: How Animals and Cities Collided in 2023
Once a year, Maine roads become highways for amphibians
The 'Big Night' brings out volunteers to help frogs, salamanders, and other migrating amphibians cross roads to reach their breeding grounds.
San Diego Sues DHS, DOD Over Razor Wire Near Mexico Border
The city says U.S. Marines trespassed on city land to install fencing that damages sensitive habitat in an area designated as conservation land.
Explore Urban Biodiversity: Join the 2025 City Nature Challenge
The City Nature Challenge invites people worldwide to document urban biodiversity by photographing and sharing wild plants and animals through the iNaturalist app, helping scientists track and understand real-time changes in ecosystems.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Chicago voters approve permanent festival grounds, penalty for vacant property owners
Currently, major summer and fall festivals take over public parks for weeks at a time, drawing criticism from nearby residents
NYC votes to cut outdoor dining red tape, speed up permitting
New York City also voted to allow the Department of Transportation to begin work on urgent projects before notifying elected officials.
California appears to reject Prop. 45
The proposition would have expanded the projects that qualify for a streamlined environmental review, effectively paring down the California Environmental Quality Act.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority