The Role of Biodiversity
in Resilient Urban Communities:
Why it Matters Now

Biodiversity is the diversity of species and ecosystems. It is their organization and function, and it is the ways this diversity enhances the productivity, resilience and richness of Life.

Biodiversity is also one of the greatest potential forces available to cities and communities in preparing for the challenges we face.

Yet conventional approaches to assessing and managing for biodiversity may undermine our ability to elevate and sustain it as a priority, particularly for many cities and local communities. These approaches often focus on counting species or managing to restore historic conditions. Such approaches are not well suited to urban settings that are inherently a blend of both native and non-native species. They also fail to show how biodiversity is relevant to solving the growing list of challenges facing urban communities—from climate change impacts to social and economic instability.


We propose a new initiative to begin filling these gaps and identifying opportunities for the co-benefit of people and nature in cities.

Working together over the last year, four organizations representing urban biodiversity efforts in Europe (ICLEI-EU), Latin America (Humboldt Institute), and North America (Center for Regenerative Solutions, City of Boulder, Colorado) have come together to jointly organize a trilateral dialogue on this topic between communities across these three continental and multi-cultural regions.

The Opportunity

Reframing Biodiversity in Urban Contexts

Cities worldwide are pioneering integrated approaches that demonstrate that biodiversity and community needs can be mutually reinforcing.

Singapore's urban food production creates wildlife habitat and cooling. Detroit converts vacant lots into productive farms providing food security while bringing greater biodiversity. Indigenous nations like the Snoqualmie are demonstrating how traditional ecological knowledge can guide urban food forests that support both cultural practices and biodiversity enhancement. Copenhagen's stormwater systems create recreation opportunities and wildlife habitat.

As champions of biodiversity we need to reframe the conversation to demonstrate how biodiversity is integral to addressing daily challenges that urban communities face. Rather than species counts, we need new metrics that capture:

  • Community Health: Designing and maintaining biodiverse landscapes that reduce heat, improve air quality, increase healthy food access, and reduce disease threats;

  • Economic Returns: Using natural systems in ways that reduce infrastructure costs or improve the efficiency of capital investments;

  • Resilience Capacity: Leveraging biodiverse landscapes to buffer extreme weather;

  • Social Cohesion: Creating biologically rich places that grow shared stewardship and build community connections.

The Conversation

👉 Where are cities integrating biodiversity into community benefit?

👉 What strategies are they using?

👉 How are they organizing and funding this work?

👉 Who do they need to have at the table to make this work effective?

These and related questions will be at the center of the cross-cultural meet-up being initiated in this three-part dialogue.  

Over the first six weeks of September and October, we will release a series of mini-case studies called ‘Takes From the Field’ that will highlight innovative initiatives taking place in Latin America, Europe, and the United States. Each case study will highlight key insights, accomplishments, and challenges that are relevant to other places interested in biodiversity-informed urban actions.

Part 1: Get ‘Takes from the Field’

Part 2: Join the Conversation

Concurrently, we will host and moderate an email-based discussion group to facilitate peer-to-peer interactions between interested communities and their public and civic sector members. We will focus on exchanging information and perspectives, as well as identifying gaps in the knowledge, resources, and/or systems needed to advance biodiversity-empowered urban actions.

In late October, we will begin a four-part seminar series entitled Biodiversity's Role in Resilient Communities: Why it Matters Now. The series will offer opportunities to meet, engage with, and explore opportunities for advancing urban biodiversity as an integral ingredient in community resilience and well-being. Representatives from the United States, Europe, and Latin America will bio;d a professional community of practice with each other while exploring some of the most promising urban biodiversity initiatives taking place today.

Part 3: Seminar for Practitioners

‘Take From The Field’ No. 1 ~ Boulder, CO

👉 Sign up to receive ‘Takes from the Field’, join our community discussion group, and receive an invitation to the Urban Biodiversity Seminar Series, beginning the week of October 20th.

Thank you to our funders and sponsors for their generous support of this urban biodiversity initiative.

Interested in partnering on urban biodiversity?

Please contact us using this form.