With over 80 percent of the U.S. population now living in urban areas, cities have arguably become humanity’s new natural habitat. Though urban ecosystems are not wholly owned and managed by public entities with a sole focus on ecosystem restoration or enhancement, they do play an essential role in advancing conservation goals. Municipal governments have the power to address stewardship issues on a wide scale across both public and private lands through plans, reports, and policies. With ambitious work programs underway like the Biodiversity Index and Wildlife Ordinance, the City of Los Angeles is actively working to “manage” LA’s urban ecosystem. These efforts can provide other cities with a roadmap for how government entities might address biodiversity, habitat connectivity, and climate resilience in their own urban contexts.
