Blog & News

May 22nd, 2024

International Day for Biological Diversity 2024

Author: Zoe Bross

Today, May 22^nd, is the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB). First created by the Second Committee of the UN General Assembly in 1993, IDB is a celebration of biological diversity—a day to educate and bring awareness to biodiversity issues worldwide. The theme of this year’s IDB is: “from agreement to action: build back biodiversity.” This year’s theme advances the idea that we must take action and enforce conservation measures already outlined in the globally agreed upon plan, all by 2030. Taking conservation action will ensure that we can achieve protected and sustainable biodiversity by 2050.

Biodiversity encompasses all the different living things found in an area, including animals, insects, fungi, plant life, and microorganisms. This complex mix of life is a delicate balance, as every organism relies on others to survive. As humans utilize and alter landscapes, we throw off the balance of ecosystems and contribute to biodiversity loss. Our actions can cause habitat fragmentation, hotter burning fires, increased runoff, loss of topsoil, and deforestation Climate change also contributes to biodiversity loss; rising temperatures and more extreme weather can force certain organisms out of an ecosystem—or cause them to die. Since we know that our actions drive biodiversity loss globally, it is imperative that we take responsibility to halt the process.

There are many solutions to slowing or halting biodiversity loss, ranging from physical efforts to policy. Utilizing biodiversity conservation strategies—such as protecting, enhancing, and creating habitats for threatened or endangered species—helps protect these at-risk species by maintaining a healthy habitat.

Creating habitat corridors expand habitat connectivity and can allow species to more easily migrate between one area and another that might have historically been fragmented, which can increase both genetic diversity in the species and survivability. Advocating for stricter government policies on biodiversity. Collaborating with international groups, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, is essential to creating and enforcing impactful legislation to ensure a more sustainable path forward in many sectors. Things like construction and infrastructure, or unsustainable food production, are areas where the government can step in to enforce more sustainable practices that protect biodiversity.

Great Ecology engages with practices of strengthening biodiversity through our projects. For example, Great Ecology’s work serving as a designer on the Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates team to contribute strategic design and technical expertise at the Brooklyn Bridge Park Ecological Design project helped provide public access to restored native coastal and intertidal coastal habitats. Great Ecology helped to evaluate restored habitats, and was essential to the planning and design of freshwater wetlands, tidal wetlands, and tidal fool features, as well as a cove with white cedar stumps used for aesthetic appeal and habitat creation. In our Chatfield Reservoir Mitigation project, we identified and evaluated high quality off-site mitigation options that offered habitat for key species and worked with private landowners, our client, and both local and federal government agencies to permanently protect more than 2,500 acres of land south of Denver, Colorado. Through creative design and collaboration, Great Ecology was able to contribute to biodiversity conservation through habitat management.

Take a few moments today to notice the different life forms (plant and animal!) around you that increase biodiversity where you live—regardless of whether that’s in a rural area or a highly urban one. At Great Ecology, we lead the way in creative solutions for ecological problems, working with clients to preserve biological diversity in the face of complex environmental issues.