Biodiversity Planning and Design

Biodiversity Planning and Design empowers landscape architects, urban planners, and environmental professionals to take an active, informed role in protecting biodiversity through practical design and planning strategies. As habitat loss continues to be the leading driver of biodiversity decline, this book offers a clear path for integrating ecological goals into built and natural environments—without compromising on functionality or aesthetics.

Authors Jack Ahern, Elizabeth Leduc, and Mary Lee York provide readers with essential tools to understand, measure, and apply biodiversity concepts in real-world projects. They break down complex terminology and outline effective planning methods that balance ecological conservation with land use, development, and recreation. Through accessible language and interdisciplinary guidance, the book helps professionals translate conservation science into impactful design choices.

Case studies from across the U.S.—including the Florida Statewide Greenway System, Seattle’s Woodland Park Zoo, and wetland restoration in Michigan—demonstrate how biodiversity goals can be embedded into both large-scale regional plans and site-specific projects. These examples highlight collaborations among planners, biologists, and community stakeholders to achieve resilient, multifunctional landscapes.

Whether designing green infrastructure, managing stormwater, or developing urban greenspaces, Biodiversity Planning and Design gives professionals the insight and confidence to lead on biodiversity issues—delivering projects that protect ecosystems while enriching communities.