In 25 years, nearly 70% of the world’s population will live in urban areas, according to the United Nations. As more roads are paved and buildings erected, governments around the globe are looking for ways to preserve or introduce biodiversity within their limits.
This year, researchers from the University of Notre Dame partnered with the National League of Cities to analyze programs and policies on local biodiversity and nature-based solutions that can be applied to U.S. cities.
At this year’s National League of Cities City summit in Salt Lake City, researchers from the Keough School of Global Affairs delivered five recommendations from their study for how local governments can prioritize biodiversity and better implement policies that support it.
1. Educate the public on the value of biodiversity.
A consistent finding was a lack of awareness among community members concerning the social or economic impacts of biodiversity. As a positive example, researchers pointed to Kansas City, Missouri, where nonprofits that work closely with the city hosted guided nature programs with community members to teach them about the flora and fauna that exists within the city’s limits.
2. Pair tree canopy goals with native tree requirements or incentives.
Tree canopy coverage is a valuable commodity for cities, and approaching it from a biodiversity and native species perspective can improve them, researchers said.
Ann Arbour, Michigan, is in the midst of a 10,000 tree initiative, a multipronged approach to tree planting in the coming years. The city has implemented a coupon system where residents can purchase trees, shrubs and other plants to grow on their private property, according to researchers.
3. Use existing development processes and partnerships to leverage biodiversity conservation.
One locality researchers spoke with was facing a sharp rise in data centers, which can use up large amounts of land, water and energy. However, city planners were able to negotiate some habitat restoration on the site where a new data center was being built through the municipality’s typical development review and approval process.
4. Create a common language with quantifiable features or measurements.
Researchers heard “overwhelmingly” about the importance of getting cities, community members and developers on the same page when implementing biodiversity policies, researchers said.
The city of Los Angeles instituted a citywide biodiversity index that it updates annually. The index measures habitat quality and resident access to nature, among other factors.
5. Create long-term revenue streams for biodiversity initiatives.
Many programs started out in their first year with a secured investment but struggled to maintain long-term funding, leaving trees uncared for.
Hoke County, Iowa, however, created long-term grant funding and introduced conservation bonds to voters that “passed overwhelmingly” and allowed the county to maintain its public land and public waters over a 10-year span, according to researchers.
Researchers determined that ultimately cities want to hear clearer arguments for the economic and environmental impacts of biodiversity programs in order to pass those on and gain support in their communities.
