Biodiversity

River flanked by grasses in Clark County Wetlands Preserve near Las Vegas, Nevada.

Beavers and bobcats populate a 210-acre 'secret garden' in Las Vegas

The Clark County Wetlands Park is home to over 300 species of birds and 70 species of mammals.

July 25, 2026 - Nevada Current

A beaver being released from a metal carrier into a wetland with another beaver nearby.

Beavers save London Tube station from flooding

A small group of beavers is increasing biodiversity and creating cost-free flood mitigation infrastructure.

June 6, 2026 - Good.is

Couple seen from the back looking over Chattanooga, Tennessee from hilltop.

Chattanooga Earns North America’s First ‘National Park City’ Designation

The award recognizes cities that prioritize biodiversity and resident access to parks and green spaces.

April 3, 2026 - Popular Science

Malibu Zuma Beach

LA’s ‘Living Shorelines’ Get $5.1M Boost

L.A. County is investing in dune restoration and nature-based shoreline projects at Zuma, Redondo, and Dockweiler beaches to protect the coast and keep beaches accessible for communities.

September 1, 2025 - Santa Monica Daily Press

Downtown Los Angeles viewed from Echo Park with lake with artesian fountain in foreground.

A Vision for the Future: LA County Releases Draft Sustainability Plan

Los Angeles County has released the draft 2025 OurCounty Sustainability Plan — shaped by community input — and is inviting public feedback through August 22 to help guide the County’s path toward a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future.

July 29, 2025 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Canada geese on lawn in city park with high-rise buildings in background in Vancouver, Canada.

Study: How Urban Parks Can Support Biodiversity

Conservation and recreation can go hand in hand in urban green spaces designed to serve both humans and local wildlife.

April 21, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Close-up on BLM sign on Continental Divide Trail in Rawlins, Wyoming.

BLM To Rescind Public Lands Rule

The change will downgrade conservation, once again putting federal land at risk for mining and other extractive uses.

April 20, 2025 - Public Domain

Woman wearing beanie leaning down over grass covered with fall leaves using tablet to identify plants.

Detecting Invasive Species Early Through Citizen Science

Community science platforms like eBird and iNaturalist enhance early detection of invasive species, complementing professional surveillance and highlighting the need for stronger collaboration between the public and official authorities.

December 22, 2024 - Relational Thinking

"Restoration in progress" sign in the wetlands in Alviso Marsh, Don Edwards wildlife refuge, south San Francisco Bay, California.

Nature-Based Solutions for Sustainable Climate Action

These solutions offer cost-effective, sustainable methods to combat climate change, but require government action to reallocate subsidies, integrate natural assets into financial systems, and develop biodiversity credit markets.

November 27, 2024 - The Conversation

Hawk perched on tree in city park.

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.

November 24, 2024 - Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Set of black headphones attached to small tray of wheatgrass sitting on table against blue background.

Using Sound to Revive Ecosystems and Enhance Biodiversity

This innovative approach leverages the power of sound to stimulate beneficial soil microbes, offering a novel and eco-friendly tool for ecosystem restoration and biodiversity enhancement.

October 6, 2024 - The Conversation

Woman in forest looking at plants and documenting on tablet.

Discovering LA’s Biodiversity: The 2024 BioBlitz Challenge

The BioBlitz Challenge invites participants to document local wildlife throughout October using the iNaturalist app, contributing to conservation efforts and scientific research on Los Angeles' biodiversity.

September 30, 2024 - Los Angeles Public Library

Close-up of yellow dogface butterfly sitting on purple flower.

Study Reveals Los Angeles a Hotspot for Insect Diversity

A study reveals that L.A. is a surprising hotspot for insect and spider biodiversity, with diversity driven more by proximity to mountains and stable temperatures than by land value.

September 17, 2024 - The Conversation

"Environmentall sensitive area" sign on rustic wooden fence with tall green grass in background.

Misuse of Environmental Laws Betrays Their Intent

How laws written to protect natural resources and biodiversity are being reinterpreted by NIMBY groups to block development.

October 24, 2023 - Governing

Lush urban community garden with raised beds in dense New York City neighborhood with brick apartment buildings in background.

Even Small Urban Green Spaces Boost Biodiversity

A recent study from the University of Melbourne demonstrates the positive impacts small urban greening projects can have on city ecosystems.

October 23, 2023 - Earth.com

Canada geese and ducks on the shore of a lake with red brick boathouse in background across the lake in Lincoln Park, Los Angeles.

Study: How Urban Redlining Impacts Bird Populations

A legacy of historic housing discrimination and disinvestment is having lasting effects on more than just human lives in cities.

October 19, 2023 - Phys.org

Wooden boardwalk through yellowed grass field with tall granite cliffs and waterfall in background in Yosemite National Park, California.

New Law Makes California's 30x30 Goal Official

Governor Newsom just signed SB 337, codifying the state's goal to conserve at least 30 percent of California's lands and coastal waters by the year 2030.

October 10, 2023 - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

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

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

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.

September 10, 2023 - National Recreation and Park Association Open Space Blog

Young male Tule elk stands on green outcrop with lake in background in California

Celebrating California's Biodiversity

This year marks the fifth annual California Biodiversity Day, established in 2018 to celebrate and encourage actions to protect the state’s exceptional biodiversity.

September 5, 2023 - California State Parks

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.

Transportation Planner I

KFH Group Inc.

Director, Strategy and Research

Greater Baltimore Committee

Senior Planner

Eagle County Government

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.