Biodiversity is defined as the variety of life in the world or within a habitat or ecosystem. Biodiversity loss is happening at an alarming rate. The conversion of natural areas for homes, offices, and shopping centers has become one of the most serious threats to America’s native plant and animal species. The pace of land covered by urban and suburban development has been accelerating decade by decade since the 1950s.

Critical to survival, wildlife requires food, water, shelter, and places to raise their young, free from polluted air, soils, water, food, and acoustics. Citizens are best positioned to support biodiversity and combat urbanization by building and maintaining habitat for wildlife, changing consumption habits, participating in environment-related events, such as community clean-ups, and advocating for policies and laws that support healthy wildlife populations and habitat.