A Guide to Urban Habitat Conservation Planning

other natural resources for aesthetic, recreational, and economic significance, so over the past several decades they have become increasingly concerned about the loss of wildlife habitat and greenspace. Urban and suburban development is one of the leading causes of this loss: A recent study indicated that every day in Kentucky more than 100 acres of rural land is being converted to urban development. Because concern for loss of greenspace is not new, we have for some time created attractive urban greenspace environments with our parks and backyards. These greenspaces have been created not so much for wildlife habitats as for people to enjoy, but the potential for wildlife habitat exists in these scattered habitat patches. An effective planning strategy is needed to create and link these isolated patches. The goal is more than just to connect parcels—it is to develop land in a way that allows for the natural distribution of our urban wildlife species. Although complete and easily applied answers are not yet available, much has already been learned, and a consensus is emerging among landscape ecologists. This publication is designed for the planner, landscape architect, urban government regulator, policy maker, and concerned citizen. It introduces landscape ecology concepts and looks at how geographic information systems (GIS) technology can be used to develop and monitor local land-use policy to maintain wildlife habitat and greenspaces. The publication can also be useful to the average homeowner in understanding the complex issues involved in landscape planning and wildlife conservation and to the average citizen who wants to more fully participate in community planning that addresses these issues. For both professionals and the general public, the publication will introduce ways to minimize the adverse impact of residential development that has already taken place.