Biodiversity is the variety of wildlife, plants, and other organisms living in a given area.  Cities have their own unique biodiversity that plays a critical role in maintaining the biological systems located in suburban and rural areas.  One way cities do this is by serving as migratory corridors for animals and plants traveling between fragmented habitats.

Cities also directly benefit from having a high biodiversity.  For instance, a city’s species richness increases its stability and resilience to disturbances and changes. 

Our programs connect residents to the organisms are around them so that they learn to recognize, value, and preserve New York City’s ecology.

A NYC Parks ranger shows a Central Park visitor local birds during a CUCE-NYC event.