Conservation
How Los Angeles County is Advancing Sustainability
A recently released report by the Chief Sustainability Office (CSO) shows that L.A. County is making progress on meeting the goals of the OurCounty Sustainability Plan.
California Approves $10 Billion Bond for Water, Clean Energy, and Environmental Projects
Funds will be used to support water, wildfire prevention, environmental, and park projects, reflecting strong public support for climate resilience.
More States Push Back on BLM’s Conservation Rule
Twelve states and industry groups are supporting Utah’s lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management, arguing the agency can’t bar extractive uses on ‘unappropriated’ public lands.
America’s 10 ‘Greenest’ Cities
A new analysis ranks cities based on their environmental quality, energy consumption and production, transportation, density, and other factors.
Harnessing GIS and Fire for Longleaf Pine Conservation
Scientists in Florida are using GIS technology to strategically manage prescribed burns, aiding in the restoration and biodiversity of longleaf pine ecosystems while enhancing climate resilience across the Southeast.
US Forest Service Announces Hiring Freeze for 2025 Fiscal Year
A looming budget cut has led the Forest service to hit pause on seasonal staff hires and hiring external candidates for permanent agency positions, prompting concerns about the agency’s ability to achieve its mission.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Study Reveals Los Angeles a Hotspot for Insect Diversity
A study reveals that L.A. is a surprising hotspot for insect and spider biodiversity, with diversity driven more by proximity to mountains and stable temperatures than by land value.
New Exhibit Highlights the Urgent Need to Protect Joshua Trees
The Lancaster Museum exhibit “Desert Forest: Life with Joshua Trees” aims to raise awareness of the ecological importance of Joshua trees and the threats they face from climate change in the Mojave Desert.
Last Dam in Klamath River Removal Project Comes Down
Salmon can now move freely along the river and its tributaries for the first time in over a century.
BLM Proposes Opening 31 Million Acres of Public Lands to Solar Development
The Biden administration has released a proposal that would open tens of millions of acres in 11 Western states to solar development, a move that has clean energy advocates celebrating and environmental groups concerned.
Utah Sues Over Public Lands Access
State leaders say they want to open 18.5 million acres of unappropriated federal lands to recreation, conservation, and extractive uses.
Planning for the End-of-Life of Urban Trees
Many of California’s 6 million urban trees are reaching the end of their lives. Arborists in Long Beach are turning them into useful lumber.
Grand Teton Foundation Races to Fundraise — or Lose Key Wildlife Corridor
Wyoming could sell a currently protected parcel of land, key to elk and other hoofed mammal migration paths, to private developers.
How Project 2025 Could Threaten Public Lands
If enacted, the conservative plan could ‘decimate’ public lands and protected habitats.
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.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
