Environment

400-Year-Old Oak Tree Designated as Historic Landmark
The tree’s landmark status celebrates its deep-rooted history and symbolizes the community's dedication to preserving local ecological treasures.

Arizona Native Community Launches First Solar-Over-Canal Project
Covering an irrigation canal with solar panels doubles its utility, producing renewable energy while protecting canal infrastructure and reducing water evaporation.

How Does Air Quality in a Philly Subway Station Compare to the Outdoors?
A team of researchers found much higher levels of particulate matter inside the City Hall subway station than on the street-level sidewalks directly above the station.

Top Retirement Destinations in California: Where Affordability, Health, and Recreation Meet
These spots offer a balance of affordability, access to healthcare, and outdoor recreation opportunities that make them ideal for those seeking comfort and quality of life in their golden years.

Exposition Park’s $351.5 Million Transformation
This revitalization will create vital green spaces, improve accessibility, and enhance connections with community, making Exposition Park a central hub for recreation and culture in Los Angeles.

California Secures $360 Million in Federal Funding for Parks, Habitat Restoration, and Clean Transportation
This funding will drive transformative projects across the state, improving access to green spaces, protecting natural ecosystems, and advancing sustainable transportation initiatives.

Herds of Sheep Manage Vegetation Where Powered Mowers Can’t
Cities are hiring grazing sheep to keep vegetation in check in sensitive sites and uneven terrain.

New Jersey Agrivoltaic Project Combines Solar Energy With Farming
A Rutgers University-New Brunswick demonstration farm will evaluate solar array designs to understand how they can best support grazing and agriculture on the same site.

Using Sound to Revive Ecosystems and Enhance Biodiversity
This innovative approach leverages the power of sound to stimulate beneficial soil microbes, offering a novel and eco-friendly tool for ecosystem restoration and biodiversity enhancement.

California Room to Roam Act Prioritizes Wildlife Connectivity
A new state law requires new development and infrastructure to minimize disruption to local wildlife habitats and migration patterns.

DC’s Hottest Neighborhoods Have the Least Shade
Areas most exposed to extreme heat also tend to lack bus shelters and benches at bus stops.

Western Conservationists, Tribes File Legal Motion to Defend Public Lands Rule
Some states and industry groups have sued to stop the Bureau of Land Management from enforcing the new rule, which promotes the conservation and restoration of public lands and shifts focus away from extractive uses.

Intense October Heat Wave Raises Fire Risk in California
Unusually high temperatures across the state are prompting power shutoffs and could fuel more destructive wildfires.

‘Climate Havens’ Not Safe From Hurricane Helene’s Destruction
Parts of North Carolina previously considered immune to the impact of hurricanes experienced historic flooding in the aftermath of the storm.

Great Lakes Water Quality Project Seeks to Restore Coastal Vegetation
A plan to restore perennial plants to agricultural land could help reduce runoff and improve water quality across the Great Lakes region.

Delaware to Invest $15M in Coastal Resilience
State officials say they’re moving forward with emergency repair and renourishment of sand dunes around the Indian River Inlet Bridge as they await a promised $10 million federal contribution.

Annual LA River CleanUp Invites Residents to Protect Local Ecosystems
The Friends of the Los Angeles River will host its 34th Annual LA River CleanUp on October 5, inviting residents to help beautify the river, prevent litter from reaching the ocean, and promote equitable access to green spaces.

Hurricane Helene Highlights Growing Threat to Florida’s ‘Big Bend’
The region is becoming more vulnerable to flooding and storm damage due in part to climate change and warmer seas.

Study: Building Pollution Contributing to Poor Air Quality in NYC
Pollutants from methane, propane, and fuel oil are on the rise, leading to a growing public health crisis.

Discovering LA’s Biodiversity: The 2024 BioBlitz Challenge
The BioBlitz Challenge invites participants to document local wildlife throughout October using the iNaturalist app, contributing to conservation efforts and scientific research on Los Angeles' biodiversity.
Pagination
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.
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Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
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