Reed, Calhoun, and Lerman co-author report on conservation design and stewardship guidelines for local land-use regulations

While sprawling development is a leading driver of wildlife habitat loss and fragmentation, private lands also provide a disproportionate amount of habitat and ecosystem services. Adjacent private properties may provide opportunities for habitat connectivity, if planned appropriately. However, most planning efforts lack the scientific guidance to enable these opportunities, and communities may have limited capacity or resources to implement new planning tools. 

Three Switzer Fellows, Sarah Reed, Aram Calhoun, and Susannah Lerman, were part of an effort by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Conservation Development Working Group at Colorado State University (CSU) to address these challenges. 

Their 2023 report aims to support and encourage land-use planners, decision makers and conservation scientists and practitioners to participate in local land-use policy by providing them with guidelines that translate their scientific knowledge into a planning and development decision-making context. 

Access the full report text here to learn more.