Urban Biodiversity Conservation: International Examples

Interested in international examples of urban communities that conserve biodiversity? A symposium was held at the international conservation biology conference in Auckland, New Zealand - December 7, 2011. The symposium was titled Conserving Biodiversity in Urban Environments: Engaging Policymakers, Developers, and Citizens. We were interested in working examples where communities have implemented ways to promote urban biodiversity conservation. We encourage people to send in examples and we'll post them on this web site. Examples can include green developments, policies, programs, organizations, public/private initiatives, educational strategies, and other strategies that have engaged urban communities and people to conserve urban biodiversity (online links would be most useful). Research papers and other articles are also encouraged (citations, pdfs, online articles). We will also post failed attempts to engage people in urban biodiversity conservation. These successes (and failures) will offer lessons learned and provide new ideas for conservation biologists, residents, developers, planners, etc. to implement in their cities and neighborhoods. If you would like to contribute or have questions, please contact Dr. Mark Hostetler. Below, please find links and resources concerning promoting and implementing urban biodiversity conservation.

Urban developments that have incorporated biodiversity conservation

Research and review articles that address aspects of promoting and implementing biodiversity conservation in urban developments

Methods and strategies to create functional, biodiverse urban communities

Hostetler, M.E. & D. Drake. 2009. Conservation subdivisions: a wildlife perspective. Landscape and Urban Planning. 90: 95-101.
Hostetler, M., Allen, W., and C. Meurk. 2011. Conserving urban biodiversity? Creating green infrastructure is only the first step. Landscape and Urban Planning. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2011.01.011
Hostetler, M., Swiman, E., Prizzia, A., and Noiseux, K. 2008. Reaching residents of green communities: Evaluation of a unique environmental education program. Applied Environmental Education & Communication 7(3):114-124
Hostetler, M.E. 2010. Beyond design: the importance of construction and post-construction phases in green developments. Sustainability 2:1128-1137.
Wald, D., and M.E. Hostetler. 2010. Value of residential open space: designation and management language of Florida's land development regulations Sustainability 2(6): 1536-1552.
Hostetler, M.E., and M. Main. 2010. Tips to create biodiverse, urban communities. Journal of Extension 48/5.
Hostetler, M.E., and M. Main. 2010. Native landscaping vs. exotic landscaping: what should we recommend? Journal of Extension 48/5.
Hostetler, M. E., and K. Noiseux. 2010. Are green residential developments attracting environmentally savvy homeowners? Landscape and Urban Planning. 94: 234-243.
Noiseux, K., Hostetler, M. E., 2008. Eco-opportunity knocks: do homebuyers want green features in communities? Environment and Behavior. doi: 10.1177/0013916508326470.
Hostetler, M.E. Jones, P., Dukes, M., Knowles, H., Acomb, G. and M. Clark. 2008. With one stroke of the pen: how can extension professionals involve developers & policymakers in creating sustainable communities? Journal of Extension. 46/.
Youngentob, K, and M. E. Hostetler. 2005. Is a new urban development model building greener communities? Environment and Behavior 37: 731-759.

Urban ecology and conservation

Traut, A. H., and M.E. Hostetler. 2004. Urban lakes and waterbirds: effects of shoreline development on avian distribution. Landscape and Urban Planning 69: 69-85.
Dawson, D.E., and M.E. Hostetler. 2010. Edge avoidance by birds of urban forest remnants. Florida Scientist 73 (3/4): 203-217.
Traut, A. H., and M.E. Hostetler. 2003. Urban lakes and waterbirds: effects of development on avian behavior. Waterbirds 26 (3): 290-302.
Hostetler, M. E., and K. Knowles-Yanez. 2003. Land use, scale, and bird distributions in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Landscape and Urban Planning 62: 55-68.
McIntyre, N. and M.E. Hostetler. 2001. Effects of urban land use on pollinator (Hymenoptera: Apodidea) communities in a desert metropolis. Journal of Applied and Theoretical Biology 2: 209-218
Hostetler, M.E. and C.S. Holling. 2000. Detecting the scales at which birds respond to landscape structure in urban landscapes. Urban Ecosystems 4: 25-54.
Dawson, D.E. and M.E. Hostetler. 2008. Herpetofaunal use of edge and interior habitats in urban forest remnants. Urban Habitats 5. http://www.urbanhabitats.org/
Hostetler, M.E. 1999. Scale, birds, and human decisions: a potential for integrative research in urban ecosystems. Landscape and Urban Planning. 45: 15-19.
Hostetler, M.E., Duncan, S., and, J. Paul. 2005. The effects of an apartment complex on migrating and wintering birds. Southeastern Naturalist. 4 (3): 421-434.

City, county, and regional policies that address urban biodiversity conservation

Romero, M. & Hostetler, M. E. 2007. "Policies that Address Sustainable Site Development." EDIS: IFAS. Circ 1520. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW254.
Romero, M. & Hostetler, M. E. 2007. "Policies that Address Sustainable Landscaping Practices." EDIS: IFAS. Circ 1519. http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW253.
Native Plant Ordinance, Eden Prairie, Minnesota - (www.edenprairie.org; City Code 9.71).

Unique programs, educational sites, and organizations that engage policy makers, developers, and citizens in urban biodiversity conservation

Online training courses concerning green developments and biodiversity conservation

Program for Resource Efficient Communities continuing education courses concerning green developments http://www.buildgreen.ufl.edu/continuing_education_next.htm
American Citizen Planner Webinar Series: Conserving Biodiversity in Subdivision Development https://noncredit.msu.edu/listSections.action?catalogid=11&offeringid=614