U R B A N C O N S E R VAT I O N

2201 Main St., Suite 600, Dallas, TX 75201 | 214-370-9735 | tx.audubon.org/urbanconservation

Imagine a future with natural spaces harmoniously blended into our cities and suburbs. We do, and we’re working toward it every day by thinking honestly and creatively about the way we do business, and embracing values that leave the land a better place for generations to come.

federal listings &state listings of threatened or endangered species.

Due to habitat fragmentation & pressures from development we have

We’ve seen extinctions in the last years.

WHY URBAN CONSERVATION?

Houston & DFW metros are roughly

of the entire population.

of our population lives in a major metropolitan area.

Amazingly, our population is expected to double by 2050.

Texas is home to 8 of the 15 fastest growing large US cities.

85%

12

10 50172

95%

944,000

49%

We rank in total US gas consumption.

It’s tricky to protect our wild things & wild places when of our state is privately owned.

Texas is one of the most ecologically diverse states with ecoregions,

andalmost

species of birds, reptiles, amphibians & plants.

DFW, Houston & San Antonio all exceeded air quality standards in 2011. Dallas & Houston residents spend about a month a year breathing air deemed unsafe by the EPA.

But, we were ranked in the nation in pounds of toxic release into waterways in 2010.

Georgetown, TX will be the largest city in the US to go 100% wind & solar in 2017.

Texas is a leader in green energy production.

By o�ering a suite of services to municipalities, engineers, architects, planners, businesses, schools, homeowners & anyone who wants to be a part of smart, science-based conservation in Texas, we’re an active architect & partner of urban planning, design & conservation. Four focal areas help us transform urban spaces:

WATER CONSERVATION & QUALITY

CLEAN ENERGY & AIR

NATIVE HABITATS

CONNECTIONS TO NATURE & PLACE

2201 Main St., Suite 600, Dallas, TX 75201 | 214-370-9735 | tx.audubon.org/urbanconservation

1st

4th

2nd

URBAN SOLAR

The US Department of Energy estimates that if just 7% of the nation’s urban acreage hosted solar panels, we could supply all of the country’s current electricity demand. Much of the footprint in our urban and suburban spaces are mostly unused and an excellent opportunity for energy generation right where that energy is needed most.

Audubon Texas is partnering with NextEra Energy to engage commercial property owners and managers in hosting urban solar projects that provide renewable energy to their facilities and the local grid. Photovoltaic panels come in a variety of types suited to a diversity of surfaces and structures, like rooftops, covered parking, free-standing panels, awnings, and even art installations.

Negotiates reduced energy rate

Decreases carbon footprint as a business

-

-

--

-

- Provides installation and maintenance of solar panelsNegotiates relationship

Adds a new o�ering to their green energy market share

Receives a small portion of revenues from NextEra

PARKING LOT / ROOFTOP SOLAR HOST

NATIVE PLANTS FOR BIRDS

Over the last 100 years, urban sprawl has transformed 150 million acres of farmland and native habitats across the United States into buildings, hardscape, and 40 million acres of highly-manicured lawns. Filled with exotic plants, these urban landscapes no longer support the healthy, functioning ecosystems that birds and wildlife need. By replacing our conventional landscaping with gardens featuring native plants, we can restore these vital habitats and create spaces for birds within our own backyards.

Together with Audubon programs across the nation, Audubon Texas’s Plants for Birds program will provide planners, landscape architects, schools, businesses, and homeowners with the tools they need to transform their urban landscapes into part of the world’s largest distributed bird sanctuary.

Creating safe, healthy urban habitats for birds helps not only them; it also creates a more sustainable, water-wise, and beautiful place for people as well.

Ecoregion-specific plant lists for birdsPlants for Birds Ambassador Trainings for volunteers Info and resources for local nurseries

--

-

Visit tx.audubon.org for resources like:

Blackland Prairie

Piney Woods

Post Oak Savannah

Rolling Plains

High Plains

Trans-Pecos

Edwards Plateau

Cross Timbers & Prairies

Gulf Prairies & Marshes

South Texas Plains

BIRD-FRIENDLY BUILDINGS

Collisions with building glass are the secondhighest cause of human-related bird mortality, killing hundreds of millions of birds each year. Native migratory birds are at greater risk of building collidings than exotic, urban birds, such as pigeons and starlings. The issue isn’t limited to urban high-rises: houses and low-rise buildings can account for up to 99% of collisions.

Creating safe urban spaces for birds starts with the structures we live, work, and play in. Texas hosts 98.5% of all North America’s long-distance migratory birds. Making our cities and suburbs safer for the millions of birds that pass through them every spring & fall is a conservation priority. Audubon’s Bird Friendly Buildings program addresses the two primary issues that drive the majority of bird-building collisions — reflectivity & transparency of glass & urban light pollution.

Whether you live in an apartment or manage a large downtown high rise, there are a variety of ways to help make your building more bird friendly. Even simple solutions can provide dramatic benefits for the birds who navigate our landscapes of light and glass.

A Guide to Preventing Bird Strikes for homeowners and businessesInformation about integrating Bird Friendly Buildings principles and solutions into consulting projects D-Bird, a crowdsourced citizen science project where everyone can contribute data about bird collisionsResources for Lights Out programs which operate during migration

-

-

-

-

Visit tx.audubon.org for resources such as:

“If you take care of birds you will take care of most of the problems of the world.” Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, “Godfather of Biodiversity”

CONSERVATION PLANNING

A truly sustainable development project or comprehensive plan considers and supports a beautiful, healthy natural environment that delivers vital ecosystem services to the community. Audubon Texas’s fee-based Conservation Planning Services focus on supporting and improving the biological and ecological systems and aspects of a given project, whether at the site, municipal, or regional scale. For more extensive projects of a larger scope (like master or comprehensive plans), we have the flexibility to participate as ecological specialists on a collaborative team.

Since 2014, we’ve provided conservation planning services for a Blackland Prairie restoration project in the out-of-play areas of the Trinity Forest Golf Course in Dallas, future home of the Byron Nelson Championship, adjacent to the Trinity River Audubon Center. When installed, this project will result in an impressive 70 acres of native tallgrass prairie, the most endangered ecosystem in North America, just minutes from downtown Dallas.

Geographic Information Systems analysisEcoregionally appropriate landscape specification & designBird Friendly Building design specificationsIntegration of ecological narrative & community programming into site design

--

--

Areas of Specialty:

Fairway Turning PointGreenTee

In-Play AreaTrinity Forest Golf Course Blackland Prairie Restoration Project

Foundation Grass Mix (77 acres)Edge Bu�er – Prairie or Wildflower Mix (10 acres) Interior Habitat – Prairie or Wildflower Mix (14 acres)

--

--

SUSTAINABILITY & URBAN ECOLOGY TRAINING

Sustainability in design, development, and management of urban green spaces and the services they deliver is an important aspect of any city or suburb’s comprehensive plans and development strategies. Audubon Texas's Sustainability and Urban Ecology Trainings are designed to enhance informed policy and on- the-ground implementation of best practices supporting sustainable urban ecosystems.

Customizable to a variety of audiences and ecoregions, these trainings, classes, and seminars are ideal for municipal sta�, elected o�cials, contract services providers, urban planners, architects, and landscape architects. For groups whose professional associations have annual continuing education credit requirements, these trainings can help fulfill CEC requirements while introducing conservation and sustainability best practices.

Beginning in November 2014, we piloted a 5-session series of Urban Ecology Awareness trainings for City of Dallas sta� in multiple major departments working on the Trinity Corridor Project and in city parks. This series of sca�olded, outdoor-oriented, experiential sessions focus on management/planning considerations that will support healthy native ecosystem function in Dallas’s green spaces.

The next phase will see the deployment of these trainings in an online module-based setting, making them more accessible and flexible for a wider audience of participants.

U R B A N C O N S E R VAT I O N

For more infomation about ways to invest in this program, drop us an email at audubontexas@audubon.org.

2201 Main St, Suite 600, Dallas, TX 75201 | 214-370-9735 | tx.audubon.org/urbanconservation