Making the case for urban conservation

### Speaker: Dr. Erica Spotswood

Long thought to be biological deserts, it is becoming increasingly clear that cities harbor a wide variety of species, both wildlife and plants. Cities also provide unique habitat and resources for the species that live in them and pass through them. Yet they are not the primary space where conservation occurs. In this talk, we will explore why conservation in cities matters, what it can do to support and protect biodiversity, and what tools we might use to make it happen.
Dr. Erica Spotswood, Director of Science at Second Nature Ecology and Design is an urban ecologist experienced working with scientists, designers, and conservation practitioners to analyze and improve nature in our cities. Erica specializes in using science to guide urban biodiversity conservation, evaluating biodiversity responses to changes in the urban landscape, and making connections between urban biodiversity and human health and well-being. Erica has led projects in partnership with cities, park districts, conservation non-profits, urban designers, and private companies. She brings broad experience creating effective cross-disciplinary collaborations to guide nature interventions in urban settings. Prior to joining Second Nature, Erica was the Science Director for the Urban Nature Lab at the San Francisco Estuary Institute. Erica holds a PhD from the department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management at UC Berkeley.
http://cnps-yerbabuena.org/calendar/speaker-series/

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