Description
Biodiversity is a primary metric for the health and resilience of an ecosystem. Programs like Bird City USA and Bee City USA provide guidance for how communities can support vibrant pollinator populations, a cornerstone of high-functioning ecosystems. Updates to the city Development Code, in concert with education and incentive programs, will help maintain and protect the city’s biodiversity.
This strategy is focused on protecting and providing habitats to promote a rich biodiversity, especially to support the community’s vital pollinator species.
Components
- Encourage conversion of hardscapes to low-water landscapes, low-impact development (LID) stormwater features, or wildflower gardens.
- Promote best practices in the community related to public green-space improvements and enhancements.
- Partner with organizations (e.g., Resource Central, Butterfly Pavilion, Denver Botanic Gardens) to incentivize the adoption of native landscapes and pollinator gardens.
- Map and protect environmentally abundant and sensitive areas and establish a long-term strategy to connect and enhance biodiversity. Achieve and maintain Bird City USA and Bee City USA status.
- Update landscaping standards to identify minimum requirements for native species and tree species.
- Educate residents and businesses regarding the importance of city code requirements related to native species and biodiversity.
- Provide plant lists, seed lists and other recommendations, resources and requirements for new development and plantings to incorporate greater diversity and use more native plants that support pollinator species.
- Invest in restoration of marginal, degraded habitat (e.g., Big Dry Creek).