To protect wildlife from free-roaming cats, a zone defense may be more effective than trying to get every feline off the street

A new study shows that when free-ranging cats are more than a few blocks from forested areas in cities, such as parks, they’re more likely to prey on rats than on native wildlife.

Travis Gallo, Assistant Professor of Urban Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, George Mason University • conversation
April 8, 2022 ~9 min

Treated like dirt: urban soil is often overlooked as a resource

The earth our towns and cities are built on is teeming with potential. It is under threat too

Roisin O'Riordan, PhD Candidate, Soil and Ecosystem Services, Lancaster University • conversation
April 26, 2021 ~8 min


Twitter posts show that people are profoundly sad – and are visiting parks to cheer up

Research that measures the public mood based on Twitter posts shows that it's currently at its lowest point in a decade. One exception: when people visit parks and green spaces.

Taylor Ricketts, Professor and Director, Gund Institute for Environment, University of Vermont • conversation
Aug. 6, 2020 ~8 min

Parks matter more than ever during a time of sickness – something Frederick Law Olmsted understood in the 19th century

Frederick Law Olmsted, the designer of many great North American city parks, understood that ready access to nature made cities healthier places to live.

Richard leBrasseur, Assisant Professor of Landscape Architecture and Director, Green Infrastructure Performance Lab, Dalhousie University • conversation
May 18, 2020 ~8 min

Is your city making you fat? How urban planning can address the obesity epidemic

Four out of 5 Americans live in cities, so urban planning can make a big difference in our lifestyles – especially if it promotes healthy diets and physical activity.

John Rennie Short, Professor, School of Public Policy, University of Maryland, Baltimore County • conversation
Feb. 20, 2020 ~8 min

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