Biodiversity

"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

Close-up of hands holding mobile phone up to a plant to take a photo

Connecting with Nature Through Your Phone

During this year’s international City Nature Challenge, tens of thousands of people across the world went outside to take photos, document, and identify animal and plant species in their communities.

June 27, 2023 - PBS News Hour

Rattlesnakes

L.A. ‘Wildlife Ordinance’ to Protect Biodiversity With Zoning Changes

The Los Angeles City Planning Commission recently approved a new Wildlife Ordinance. The City Council will make the final decision about the ordinance’s approval.

December 22, 2022 - Los Angeles Department of City Planning

View from half underwater and half above water in mangrove forest in Indonesia with red starfish on coral

Historic Conservation Agreement Reached on Last Day of COP15

The international framework pledges to protect 30 percent of land and water by 2030, but critics say it doesn’t go far enough to address the urgency of biodiversity loss and climate change.

December 21, 2022 - CNBC

Close-up from ground level of green lawn with colonial house in background

The Declining Appeal of Lawns

Long held as a symbol of middle-class success and the American Dream, homogenous, monocultural lawns are quickly falling out of favor as people opt for more ecologically friendly gardens that conserve water and increase biodiversity.

August 28, 2022 - The Washington Post

California condor spreading its wings, sitting on a rock

Wildlife Bill Aims To Protect All Vulnerable Species

A bill set to pass in the U.S. Senate would inject billions into wildlife conservation and species restoration efforts.

August 16, 2022 - Vox

Rendering of Memorial Park land bridge

ASLA Commits to Profession-Wide Climate Action

The American Society of Landscape Architects has assembled a task force to create an action plan focused on climate change and biodiversity.

August 10, 2022 - ASLA The Dirt

Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge

Mapping Biodiversity Risk

A partnership of researchers has created the most detailed map yet of the places where biodiversity is most at risk in the United States.

March 17, 2022 - The New York Times

Florida Everglades

Everglades Restoration To Receive $1.1 Billion in Federal Funds

An 'unprecedented' investment of more than one billion dollars will go toward efforts to restore and conserve the fragile and troubled South Florida ecosystem.

February 14, 2022 - Inside Climate News

Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

The Sixth Extinction Has Likely Already Begun

Scientists believe we have entered a sixth mass extinction event, calling for conservation and documentation of species before they are lost forever.

January 25, 2022 - Vice

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

A silhouette of construction workers lowering larger numerals into place to form 2022.

Planning Trends to Watch in 2022

Building a framework of understanding for the year to come.

January 12, 2022 - James Brasuell

A view of the Pacific Ocean and California coastline from high in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Santa Monica Mountains Acquires More Land For Conservation

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority has acquired the final 150 acres of the 325-acre Triangle Ranch open space in the Santa Monica Mountains.

December 6, 2021 - The Acorn

A groundskeeper blows autumn leaves in the Homewood Cemetery, Pittsburgh

Opinion: To Protect Biodiversity, Eliminate All Leaf Blowers

Electric and battery-powered leaf blowers have a reduced impact on pollution and human health, but our lawn care practices continue to harm plant and animal habitats.

October 29, 2021 - The New York Times

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

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