I have a soft spot for common urban wildlife. The critters which successfully survive and sustain populations within resource-poor manmade environments show a resilience that feels like a ray of hope in our rapidly changing world. Local, common species provide an opportunity to connect city-dwellers back to the earth. These species are in your backyard. You can see them from your window. Though we may take them for granted, we generally enjoy and appreciate these species, and would like to continue seeing them. It is my hope that by focusing on biodiversity responses to the Anthropocene we can uncover sustainable futures. Can we mitigate Anthropogenic impacts to create urban spaces that are habitable for both humans and wildlife?
Insect Ecologist
Victoria E. Amaral 