Wildlife

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

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

Deer eating an orange on a Banff street

Returning to a Wilder World

The pandemic induced an accidental 'rewilding' in many places as animals took over cities and streets devoid of humans. As we emerge from our isolation, can we co-exist peacefully?

August 25, 2021 - High Country News

Rendering of the proposed Liberty Canyon Wildlife Corridor

California Wildlife Crossings Get New Funding

The state is budgeting $61 million to build wildlife crossings that increase biodiversity, help species thrive, and save both human and animal lives.

July 28, 2021 - CALmatters

Open Space

Assessing Biden's '30 by 30' Conservation Plan

The president's ambitious commitment to protect 30% of U.S. land and water by 2030 might be too broad in attempting to satisfy all land users.

July 9, 2021 - High Country News

Rattlesnakes

Major Grant Helping to Make Wildlife Crossing a Reality in Los Angeles County

The Annenberg Foundation is awarding a $25 million grant to the National Wildlife Federation's campaign to build a wildlife crossing at Liberty Canyon, over the 101 Freeway.

May 17, 2021 - Patch

City Bird

For the Birds: Why Designing for Birds is Good for Everyone

A new book spotlights how bird-friendly design makes for healthier and more pleasant cities for all species.

February 12, 2021 - Fast Company

Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge

The '30 by 30' Framework Sets an Ambitious Goal for Nature Conservation

California State Legislature committee approved AB 3030 in May, adopting a plan to save 30% of land and sea from development by the year 2030. The Convention on Biological Diversity is likely to follow in adopting the 30 by 30 framework.

June 1, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

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

Salton Sea Refuge

Wetlands Bring New Life to the Salton Sea

Southern California’s Salton Sea has long struggled with environmental issues, but wetlands have been springing up and nurturing diverse ecosystems.

January 9, 2020 - Los Angeles Times

Outdoor Recreation

Increased Outdoor Recreation Comes at a Cost

The rapidly declining number of elk around Vail, Colorado reveals the impacts of the increasing population of outdoor recreation.

September 12, 2019 - The Guardian

Woodlands

The Search for Natural Silence

With more cars on roads and planes in the sky than ever before, finding truly noise-free places with pure natural sounds has become ever more challenging.

July 2, 2019 - KUOW (The Wild)

Orca in Washington

Washington State Budget Makes Puget Sound Orcas a Priority

Southern Resident orca numbers are distressingly low. The proposed budget would fund a number of measures to help the whales.

January 4, 2019 - Crosscut

Mountain Lion

The Best Locations for L.A.’s Mountain Lion Freeway Bridges

A coalition of researchers have identified one area near the 101 and other near I-15 that would help keep the big cats alive and healthy.

May 28, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

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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.