Ecology

Illustration of squirrel on a book cover.

Are cities at risk of losing squirrels?

Book review: A common backyard forager could be in decline, but without the proper data we may not know until it’s too late. Nancy Castaldo’s "Squirrel" urges us to find out.

July 13, 2026 - Stephanie Rouse

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

A beaver in water holding a stick in its mouth.

Two years after California reintroduced beavers, they are transforming the landscape into a 'climate-resilient powerhouse'

A beaver restoration program is proving that ancient solutions can help solve modern problems.

May 26, 2026 - Upworthy

Man in rain gear rides a bicycle on a bike lane lined with grassy landscaping in Cardiff, Wales on a rainy day.

This UK city's bike lanes double as rain gardens and wildlife habitats

Cardiff is combining mobility infrastructure with greening measures to help conserve water, clean the air, and provide shade and greenery.

May 26, 2026 - Bloomberg CityLab

Close-up of child's hands wearing black and white striped gloves holding a green frog.

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.

May 5, 2026 - Grist

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

Close-up on beekeeper with white gloves holding pan of bees.

Urban Honeybees are ‘Having a Moment’ — but it’s not all Milk and Honey

The European honeybees kept by many businesses and schools often compete with local pollinator species.

March 29, 2026 - Bloomberg CityLab

Close-up of razor wire at top of fence against blue sky.

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.

February 2, 2026 - CALmatters

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

Sunset view of tall palm trees and shorter trees lining empty street with Los Angeles skyline and crescent moon in background.

Planting for Change: How Trees Are Powering Climate Action

"Combating Climate Change with Trees" highlights how Southern California communities are strategically planting and nurturing urban forests to cool neighborhoods, improve air quality, and advance environmental justice.

July 21, 2025 - PBS

Wildfire recovery area with small trees growing in burn areas in Angeles National Forest in California.

California Advances Its 30x30 Conservation Goals

California is making significant progress toward its 30x30 conservation goals, but looming federal rollbacks and gaps in biodiversity protections could threaten the state’s efforts to protect lands and coastal waters by 2030.

July 21, 2025 - Los Angeles Times

Agrilus auroguttatus image

Southern Californians Survey Trees for Destructive Oak Pest

Hundreds of volunteers across five counties participated in the first Goldspotted Oak Borer Blitz, surveying oak trees for signs of the invasive beetle and contributing valuable data to help protect Southern California’s native woodlands.

June 22, 2025 - UC ANR Green Blog

Close-up of black and yellow oak borer beetle.

Help Stop the Beetle Killing Southern California’s Oak Trees

Claifornia residents can join a volunteer “blitz” this June to help detect and map infestations of an invasive beetle that is killing thousands of oak trees across Southern California.

May 27, 2025 - University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources

Banff wildlife overpass

Where the Wild Things Cross

Wildlife-vehicle collisions cost Americans over $8 billion annually. The solution can be simple — and stunning.

May 20, 2025 - Jill Robertson

Deer grazing on hillside with few snow patches at Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge in Colorado.

New Trail Project Enhances Safety and Access to Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge

Jefferson County is improving safe access to Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge with new trails, a bridge, and signage, as part of the Rocky Mountain Greenway project, ensuring environmental safety and educating visitors about the site’s history.

May 19, 2025 - Jefferson County

Adults and children planting trees during Arbor Day event in Lakewood, Colorado.

Lakewood Celebrates Arbor Day and Strengthens Urban Forestry Legacy

Lakewood celebrated Arbor Day and its 43rd year as a Tree City USA community with a youth-led tree planting event at O’Kane Park, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to urban forestry and environmental education.

May 14, 2025 - City of Lakewood

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

May 1, 2025 - AP News

Side view of layers of grass and soil

Tackling Soil Contamination With Nature-Based Solutions

Los Angeles County residents and experts are turning to nature-based methods like bioremediation to address long-standing and fire-exacerbated soil contamination without resorting to costly and disruptive removal.

April 28, 2025 - Los Angeles Times

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

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.

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.