By Peter Hodum

As the proportion of the world’s human population living in urban environments continues to increase, the vital role that cities can play in conserving biodiversity is frequently overlooked or dismissed. However, cities have the potential to contribute to regional biodiversity by acting as important sanctuaries and refuges for native species, including threatened and endangered species. In this presentation, Peter Hodum will provide an overview of how urban landscapes can actively support regional biodiversity and discuss findings from his student-led research focused on urban bird ecology and environmental justice efforts in the greater Tacoma area.

Dr. Peter Hodum is a professor in the Biology and Environmental Studies and Science departments at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, WA, and the Senior Advisor for Chile Programs at Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge, a conservation non-profit organization. His research focuses primarily on the conservation and ecology of threatened seabirds, landbirds and island ecosystems in Chile and Washington State.  His work also focuses strongly on community-centered and equitable conservation, including how communities can be more effectively and authentically involved in conservation.