Wildlife

Mountain lion in a forest.

Study: Mountain lions reduce roadway deer collisions by 67%

Scientists in Washington state found a little-studied benefit to the presence of mountain lion populations near roadways.

August 10, 2026 - M Live

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

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

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

"Entering bear territory" sign on yellow background with black text and graphic of bear with baby.

These Bear Safety Signs Illustrate the Impact of Good Design

What makes a sign effective?

October 3, 2025 - High Country News

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

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

Large flock of purple martin birds at dusk flying above a light pole.

Purple Martins Call Nashville Home. Some Wish They Wouldn't

Each year, the city plays host to hundreds of thousands of birds on their way to and from South America.

March 2, 2025 - Maggie Gigandet

Desert tortoise on asphalt road.

California Room to Roam Act Prioritizes Wildlife Connectivity

A new state law requires new development and infrastructure to minimize disruption to local wildlife habitats and migration patterns.

October 4, 2024 - Center for Biological Diversity

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 brown-and-white bird of prey with spread wings is about to grab prey with its extended talons.

New L.A. County Raptor Rescue Center Aids Injured Birds of Prey

Located in San Dimas, the center rehabilitates and releases injured birds of prey like owls, hawks, and falcons, aiming to restore ecological balance and support biodiversity.

July 21, 2024 - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

Drone show over Liverpool, England.

Cities Replacing Fireworks With Drone Shows

Fireworks shows often lead to lost pets, disruptions for local wildlife, polluted water, and wildfires. Drone shows offer a safer celebration.

July 2, 2024 - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Coyote resting (and yawning) on top of wall covered in morning glories, Huntington Beach, Orange County, California.

California Bill Would Make Wildlife Connectivity Part of General Plans

The ‘Room to Roam Act’ would require cities and counties to consider local habitats and the impact of development on wildlife corridors and connectivity.

June 11, 2024 - Nossaman LLP

Dense stand of saguaro cacti in Arizona desert.

A Desert Owl Takes on a Freeway

Conservation groups in Arizona are suing to stop a freeway project that would destroy essential habitat for the cactus ferruginous pygmy owl.

January 8, 2024 - Streetsblog USA

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

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

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

Young bull moose stands in grassy field in Bridger-Teton National Forest

How Noise Pollution Impacts Nature

Overly loud noise isn’t just a public health risk for humans.

July 11, 2023 - High Country News

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

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.