Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
ing and showcasing the marvels of the urban ecosystem for its human resi-
dents are important roles for conservation and nature organizations to embrace.
Many already do. The Cornell University Laboratory of Ornithology encour-
ages people to join its Celebrate Urban Birds project, while Birdlife Australia
promotes urban birds with its Birds in Backyards program. Museums and en-
vironmental learning centers of er camps to get young people outside. Festi-
vals celebrate the natural cycles of birds across the world. One can experience
the Brazilian Bird Fair in the heart of São Paulo, a metro area of more than
twenty million people. Or take in the spectacles of l amingo and common
crane migrations across the cities of Spain. Closer to my home, I enjoyed a
“swift night out” that was sponsored by my local Audubon Society. There, the
people of Monroe, Washington, watched tens of thousands of Vaux's swifts
settle into the old school chimney and learned about these interesting birds
and the fascinating native predators that also track their annual movements.
Subirdia is a bridge that connects the more urbanized parts of the city to the
wilder country beyond the metropolis. As such, it is vital to sustaining the
biological diversity that can enrich the lives and pocketbooks of urban people.
Yet development often proceeds haphazardly, with little regard for ecological
health. Change is afoot, as some planners and architects incorporate ecologi-
cal sustainability into the design of buildings, neighborhoods, and cities.
Those striving to create “biophilic cities” understand that not considering the
amount and arrangement of green spaces that connect urban people with na-
ture is inei cient and dangerous. When natural land cover—measured across
areas the size of neighborhoods, metropolitan areas, or counties—drops to
less than one-third of its historical extent, its ability to sustain native biodi-
versity crumbles. The inability to support nature accelerates below this
