Ecology

Close-up of yellow "Warning Biohazard" sign with people in hazmat suits cleaning up in background.

Students Drive Solutions for Environmental Justice Through Video Challenge

The Environmental Justice Video Challenge empowers students and communities to collaboratively address environmental inequities through innovative data-driven strategies, resulting in impactful projects and fostering local leadership.

December 23, 2024 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

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

Aerial view of Snohomish River and I-5 bridge in Everett, Washington.

Snohomish River Gains Legal Rights

A new law in one Washington town enshrines the river’s legal right to “exist, regenerate, and flourish.”

December 16, 2024 - Inside Climate News

City park with paved walkway, green trees, and people sitting on lawn.

Global Report Shows Urban Forests Failing to Meet Vital Standards

The study reveals significant gaps in urban forestry, emphasizing the urgent need for reforms, innovative planting solutions, and expanded tree canopy to combat climate change and improve urban health.

December 9, 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

Two-way green painted bike lane in city.

Book Review: Combining Sustainability and Smart Growth

A review of The Sustainable Urban Design Handbook, by architects Nico Larco and Kaarin Knudson.

October 22, 2024 - Michael Lewyn

Aerial view of the Danube River in Belgrade, Serbia.

Report: European Rivers Are in Trouble

Some of the continent’s most important rivers are suffering from overuse and pollution.

October 21, 2024 - Politico

Flock of white snow geese flying and resting in water in Sacramento River delta at sunset.

California Secures $360 Million in Federal Funding for Parks, Habitat Restoration, and Clean Transportation

This funding will drive transformative projects across the state, improving access to green spaces, protecting natural ecosystems, and advancing sustainable transportation initiatives.

October 7, 2024 - Office of Governor Gavin Newsom

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

View of calm Maumee River with fall foliage on other side at sunset.

Great Lakes Water Quality Project Seeks to Restore Coastal Vegetation

A plan to restore perennial plants to agricultural land could help reduce runoff and improve water quality across the Great Lakes region.

October 2, 2024 - Midland Daily News

Blue heron stands on rock in Los Angeles River with green reeds in background.

Annual LA River CleanUp Invites Residents to Protect Local Ecosystems

The Friends of the Los Angeles River will host its 34th Annual LA River CleanUp on October 5, inviting residents to help beautify the river, prevent litter from reaching the ocean, and promote equitable access to green spaces.

October 1, 2024 - Long Beach Press Telegram

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

A Joshua tree forest in the Mojave desert with mountains in background.

New Exhibit Highlights the Urgent Need to Protect Joshua Trees

The Lancaster Museum exhibit “Desert Forest: Life with Joshua Trees” aims to raise awareness of the ecological importance of Joshua trees and the threats they face from climate change in the Mojave Desert.

September 16, 2024 - SCV News

Bike parked on urban sidewalk with large street trees.

Sustainable Urban Design: A New Tool and Approach on The Talking Headways Podcast

Discover how the Sustainable Urban Design Framework helps planners create livable, sustainable communities. Nico Larco from the University of Oregon explores a new tool and book in the latest “Talking Headways” podcast.

August 14, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

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

San Pedro River

The Environmental Consequences of the Arizona Border Wall

A segment of the planned U.S.-Mexico border wall would cut across the San Pedro River and threaten the area’s wildlife and plants.

January 14, 2020 - Herald/Review

Wall Prototypes

Homeland Security Waives More Than 30 Laws to Expedite Border Wall

In the drive to begin construction in New Mexico, the Trump Administration has bypassed dozens of federal environmental regulations.

February 2, 2018 - The Architect's Newspaper

What Will It Take to Green Puerto Rico Again?

Not only did Hurricane Maria destroy most of Puerto Rico's man-made infrastructure, it also defoliated the island's vast tropical forests, upsetting the forest ecology—in the short term.

October 6, 2017 - NPR

Bay Area's First Climate Adaptation Project Could Be a North Bay Highway

State Route 37 is a vital highway connecting four North Bay counties plagued by two unrelated problems: chronic flooding during high tides and traffic congestion. Fixing the problem will set a precedent for Bay Area climate adaptation.

September 26, 2017 - San Francisco Chronicle

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

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.