We invite all cities and regions to join CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature to ensure all subnational actions for nature are counted towards achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Targets.
Acting locally for global impact this International Day for Biodiversity: An open letter from Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the CBD Secretariat
This year, International Day for Biodiversity shines a direct spotlight on the role of local and subnational government leaders in the global effort to protect nature. With more than half of the world’s population living in cities, the intersection of urban expansion and natural ecosystems is where the future of global biodiversity is being decided. The world increasingly recognizes that cities and regions are critical partners in meeting national targets and the global biodiversity goals.
Turning nature-positive ambition into a reality means local action must be visible. CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature have more than 1,300 actions and 700+ active commitments recorded on the Action Platforms, but to truly have an impact, the global community needs every city and region to rise to the challenge.
This October, global leaders will gather at the Convention on Biological Diversity COP 17 in Yerevan, Armenia, to review progress and accelerate action. All achievements will be celebrated at CBD COP 17 and the 9th Summit for Subnational Governments and Cities on 24 October 2026, an official COP parallel event co-hosted by ICLEI, the CBD Secretariat, Regions4 and the COP host country.
Acting Locally for Global Impact: An Open Letter to Mayors and Governors
Astrid Schomaker
Executive Secretary of the Secretariat for the Convention on Biological Diversity
Montreal, 14 May 2026
Dear Mayors and Governors,
You are leading action where it matters most — in the communities where more than half of the world’s people live, learn, work, and innovate. Cities and subnational governments are at the forefront of efforts to build more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive societies, while also helping to reconnect people with biodiversity.
As pressures on ecosystems continue to grow, local leadership has become increasingly important to help ensure healthy environments, resilient economies, and a better quality of life for present and future generations.
This year, the International Day for Biological Diversity is an ode to those “acting locally for global impact”. This letter is an acknowledgement of the crucial role of subnational governments, cities, and local authorities in bringing about a much-needed global surge of action to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. It is also a renewed invitation to use the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) and its 23 targets as a blueprint for local action.
December 2022 marked a landmark moment: Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted a renewed and more ambitious decision to engage subnational governments, cities and local authorities in accelerating implementation of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), the world’s blueprint for halting and reversing biodiversity loss.
That decision also recognised CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature as platforms for subnational governments and cities to report their commitments and actions in support of KMGBF targets and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).
The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity welcomes the surge of local leadership and action. The journey toward a nature-positive world, where people and nature thrive together, begins in our communities. The choices that cities and regions make daily ripple outward and can drive global transformation.
Increasingly, we hear inspiring stories of cities, towns, provinces and states restoring habitats, protecting species, greening infrastructure, investing in a resilient future and engaging communities in stewardship. Together, these thousands of local acts add up to real and measurable progress.
The CBD Secretariat has been collaborating with ICLEI Cities Biodiversity Center (CBC) to ensure that commitments reported on CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature are seamlessly reflected in the CBD Clearing-House Mechanism, which tracks implementation progress. This means that local action is counted and amplified at the national and global levels.
Reports on local action are also critical for monitoring and evaluation as shaped by Parties to the Convention. COP 17, which will take place in Yerevan in October 2026, will see the first global review of collective progress in the implementation of the KMGBF.
One of the key outcomes being sought is an agreement on how to accelerate action to close gaps. Subnational governments, cities and local authorities must be part of that whole-of government and whole-of-society endeavour.
We are now halfway through in the KMGBF implementation race. It is abundantly clear that we must do more and that we must act faster. Slow, incremental change is no longer a choice. The much-needed acceleration can also stem from increased awareness and commitment from local actors, in line with the three pillars of the IDB 2026 campaign: Look and Learn, Connect and Act, and Share.
The journey toward living in harmony with nature—the vision adopted within the KMGBF— begins with steps taken by you and your constituents, including communities and local businesses.
We look forward to celebrating your achievements at the 9th Summit for Subnational Governments and Cities, an official parallel event co-hosted by ICLEI, the CBD Secretariat, Regions4 and Armenia at the 2026 United Nations Biodiversity Conference in Yerevan. In the meantime, every commitment and every action matter, for nature and all people.
Make and update your city or regions commitments
In an era of rapid urbanization and escalating climate challenges, nature-based solutions have emerged as essential for sustainable and resilient cities. Integrating biodiversity into urban spaces not only safeguards ecosystems but also protects communities against extreme heat and flooding, ensuring a healthier and more livable future for all.
The International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) recently announced the 21 finalists for the World Green City Awards 2026. This global competition celebrates city-led initiatives that harness the power of plants and nature to address environmental, social and economic challenges. Across seven categories — ranging from climate change capacity to social cohesion — the awards highlight the value of innovative greening projects that can be scaled and adapted by cities worldwide.
This year, ten of the 21 finalists, representing eight different cities, are active CitiesWithNature! These cities are being recognized for their ambitious commitment to restoring nature and pioneering ecological urbanism. A huge congratulations to our CitiesWithNature finalists and their recognized initiatives:
Surrey, Canada
Surrey’s Green Infrastructure Network – Preserving Biodiversity for Future Generations: An interconnected system of natural areas that hub together to preserve wildlife habitats and ecosystem functions across the city.
Retrofitting Paris into a Biodiversity Friendly City: A comprehensive urban transformation project focused on greening the city to create space for spontaneous biodiversity and cooling green corridors.
Paris, France
Montréal, Canada
The Willow Cure: Natural Decontamination for Urban Brownfield in the city of Montréal: An innovative phytoremediation project using willow trees to naturally decontaminate soil in former industrial areas.
Restoring Montréal’s Riverbanks in a Changing Climate: A Strategic, Ecological and Social Commitment: A strategic ecological undertaking to stabilize and naturalize shorelines to mitigate flood risks and enhance social access to water.
Bringing Resilient and Biodiversity-Rich Forests Back to Ensure Healthy Environments: Montréal Restores High Conservation Value Forests After a Perfect Storm of Invasive Species: A restoration effort aimed at bringing back resilient, biodiversity-rich forests to overcome the impact of invasive species.
Cidade da Criança: Nature-Based Early Childhood Infrastructure in Fortaleza: A project that integrates nature into urban play spaces, ensuring that early childhood development is supported by green, resilient environments.
Fortaleza, Brazil
Johannesburg, South Africa
The Greening of City of Joburg as Part of Bridging the Green Divide: A social equity initiative focused on planting trees and creating parks in underserved areas to address historical environmental imbalances.
Sariyer Büyükdere Atatürk Nursery and Gardening School Project: The restoration of a historic nursery into a public education center that promotes urban gardening and horticultural heritage.
Istanbul, Türkiye
Mexico City, Mexico
Programa Altépetl: A massive conservation program that supports communities with ecosystem restoration, forest conservation and protection of local biocultural heritage.
Green Infrastructure Plan Vitacura: A long-term urban planning strategy designed to increase the city’s biodiversity through a network of sustainable green spaces.
Vitacura, Chile
In the movement to protect our planet’s biodiversity, the front lines aren’t just in remote rainforests or distant oceans — they are in our backyards, our city parks, and our urban waterways. As the world works toward the ambitious goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), we recognize that global targets cannot be met without local action.
The CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature Action Platforms are central to this effort. These platforms are officially recognized as commitment and reporting platforms for subnational governments, cities and other local authorities in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Decision 15/12. As the only non-state actor platforms with a recognized pathway for subnational governments to contribute information towards the KMGBF, they allow subnational governments to showcase their plans, track commitments, and understand exactly how their local biodiversity efforts contribute to the health of the entire planet. Local actions and data feed directly into national dashboards within the CBD system, contributing to the global review of collective progress. In short, your city’s actions don’t stop at your borders. The Action Platforms serve as a vital link between high-level international policy and on-the-ground implementation.
Local and regional governments are on the frontlines of biodiversity and climate action. They manage urban wetlands, coastlines and forests, they implement nature-based solutions, and they drive community-led initiatives. We contribute directly to global biodiversity goals. Today, let’s remember that when urban action takes place, the world moves closer to living in harmony with nature.
Mayor Alfredo Coro II
Mayor of Del Carmen, Philippines
ICLEI Global Biodiversity, Water and Health Portfolio Lead
From policy to pavement: Inspiring urban transformation
Across the globe, local and subnational governments are proving that urban development doesn’t have to come at the expense of nature. By integrating green and blue spaces into the urban fabric, these cities and regions are enhancing human well-being while restoring lost ecosystems.
Here are a few ways cities and regions are taking action to safeguard biodiversity:
France
Aligned with its Bioclimatic Local Urban Plan, Paris aims to increase accessible green space from 8.6m2 to 10m2 per inhabitant by 2040. This transition is anchored by the 2024 “300 hectares open to the public” program, which aims to make 300 hectares of green spaces accessible to city dwellers. These efforts ensure nature is a functional, everyday component enhancing health and well-being and urban climate resilience.
Brazil
Long considered a pioneer in sustainable planning, Curitiba integrates nature in its public health strategy. The city uses “Linear Parks” along riverbanks to prevent flooding and provide equitable leisure areas, while the Municipal Nursery acts as an “open-air laboratory” to educate citizens on the importance of the Atlantic Forest biome. Currently, the city has 10,294.19 hectares of urban green and blue spaces accessible to 99.94% of the city’s population.
In a masterclass of ecological restoration, Nansha District has revitalised idle spaces into ecologically rich zones. This includes the transformation of abandoned quarries into the Phoenix Lake series of parks, as well as repurposing under-bridge spaces into parks to ensure that citizens “see green from every window and a park at every door”.
South Africa
Cape Town is focusing on becoming a “water-sensitive city” by cleaning up its vleis (wetlands) and rivers. A unique aspect of this water and community resilience strategy is the fostering of “Friends Groups”, in which community-led partnerships give local residents a direct say in how their green spaces are managed and developed.
Canada
At the provincial level, Quebec adopted its “2030 Nature Plan” in 2024. This comprehensive strategy explicitly links biodiversity conservation with human health, prioritizing “biodiversity-friendly access” and ensuring that First Nations and Inuit communities are partners in the sustainable management of natural environments.
Why should cities and regions join the movement?
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework has 23 action-oriented global targets for urgent action over the decade to 2030. Target 12 of the KMGBF focuses on enhancing green and blue spaces and urban planning for human well-being. This depends on a collective effort by cities and regions across the globe. By joining the CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature initiative and using the Action Platforms, local and subnational governments don’t just make a commitment to their community, but also to their country and the world. Every green corridor created, every wetland restored, every policy adopted gets counted, reported, and recognised globally. In joining, they also gain:
By joining the CitiesWithNature and RegionsWithNature initiative and using the Action Platforms, local and subnational governments gain:
Recognition: Official status as a contributor to global biodiversity goals.
Tools: Frameworks to track and report progress accurately.
Community: Access to a global network of peers sharing nature-first solutions.
This is your chance to say: We are one of the world’s CitiesWithNature (or RegionsWithNature) — and to have that commitment counted where it matters most.
Learn more:
Nature provides diverse life-supporting and life-enhancing contributions to people. Nature’s contributions to people underpin human survival, well-being, and quality of life. As we join the world in observing World Wetlands Day 2026, around the theme of Wetlands and traditional knowledge – celebrating cultural heritage, we reflect on the important role that ecosystems like marshes, swamps, and estuaries play within the urban and peri-urban context.
The value of wetlands for our cities
The value of wetlands for cities is well documented and there are many practical guidance tools and examples of best practices from around the world. For example, wetlands provide:
- Flood regulation: Wetlands absorb and store stormwater, reducing flood peaks and protecting urban infrastructure.
- Water purification: Wetlands filter pollutants, nutrients, and sediments, improving water quality.
- Climate regulation: Wetlands store carbon in soils and vegetation and cool surrounding areas through evapotranspiration.
- Biodiversity support: Wetlands provide habitats for birds, fish, amphibians, and pollinators, including migratory species.
- Groundwater recharge: Wetlands allow water to infiltrate and replenish aquifers.
- Coastal and riverbank protection: Wetlands reduce erosion and buffer storm surges in coastal and riparian cities.
- Human well-being: Wetlands offer recreational, educational, and cultural benefits, enhancing mental and physical health.
Use the search bar to find wetland resources
Threats to wetlands
Notwithstanding their contributions to people, wetlands are considered one of the most endangered habitats globally. The Global Wetlands Outlook, produced by the Scientific and Technical Review Panel (STRP) of the Convention on Wetlands, indicates that since 1970, approximately 22% of the global total hectares covered by wetlands have been lost, and about 25% of the remaining wetlands are in poor ecological condition. This trend is driven by several interacting pressures, including land use change due to agricultural expansion and urbanization, pollution, infrastructure development, and the impacts of climate change. Combined, these factors make wetland restoration more complex and urgent. The top three drivers of wetland loss and degradation are linked to cities through urban and industrial pollution, urban development, and infrastructure.
According to the United Nations, 55% of the world’s population currently lives in urban areas, with this number projected to grow to 68% by 2050. Within this context of rapid urbanization, cities and nature are often seen as incompatible: either biodiversity suffers as cities grow, or city growth is constrained in an effort to protect nature.
Considering nature’s contributions to human survival, well-being, and quality of life and that – according to the World Economic Forum – half of the world’s GDP relies on nature, we must change the narrative, and stop thinking that cities and nature cannot coexist. We need to reframe, reimagine and create cities along a nature positive development trajectory where cities are key contributors towards safeguarding and restoring biodiversity and ensuring equitable and sustainable use of natural assets. It is crucial that cities recognize wetlands’ contributions to urban resilience, infrastructure and to the well-being and quality of life of urban communities. Cities should prioritize mainstreaming wetland protection, restoration and sustainable use in their policies and decisions, and be encouraged to apply for accreditation under the Convention on Wetlands’ City Wetland Accreditation scheme.
The importance of stakeholder participation and indigenous knowledge in wetland management
The 2026 theme for World Wetland’s Day focuses on linkages between wetlands, traditional knowledge and cultural heritage, acknowledging the important role that Indigenous Peoples, local communities and culture have played over centuries in protecting wetlands. Increasingly, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) are being recognized as the true guardians of nature. Drawing from deep cultural ties and ancestral ecological knowledge, Indigenous stewardship provides critical frameworks for environmental management. Scientific evidence increasingly validates how these local practices actively fortify and enrich biodiversity.
Over the past two decades, IPLCs have become more politically empowered and often play a substantial role in negotiating complex co-management agreements. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands was the first multilateral environmental agreement to use the term “Indigenous Peoples” in official documents and encouraged Parties to promote, recognize and strengthen the active participation of IPLCs. More recently, at CBD COP16, held in Cali in 2024, Parties adopted the establishment of a dedicated subsidiary body for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.
As cities continue to evolve, there is growing recognition of the importance of better integrating IPLCs’ perspectives into urban planning, especially as they now increasingly live in urban areas. Nearly 60% of Panama’s Indigenous people live in Panama City, with a similar concentration found in Maracaibo, Venezuela. This trend extends across the region, where major hubs like La Paz (Bolivia), Santiago (Chile), San José (Costa Rica), and Fernheim (Paraguay) house up to 40% of their respective nations’ total urban Indigenous residents. This trend highlights a global opportunity to bring traditional knowledge more systematically into urban environmental policy, advancing social equity and strengthening efforts to address climate change and biodiversity loss.
Wetlands, cities, IPLCs, and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK)
Today more and more cities and regions are aware of the benefits of protecting biodiversity, while also driving economic prosperity. This is achieved through sustainable livelihoods and urban development models focusing on reimagining and creating urban settlements that coexist with nature and include perspectives from IPLCs.
For example, in Kabin Buri, along the Bang Pakong River in Thailand, a group of stakeholders are developing a management plan for the site that promotes Ramsar’s “wise use of wetlands” concept, benefiting both local communities and biodiversity. Drawing from traditional practices, the management plan promotes the Na Kha Wang rice system, which combines rice paddies and natural aquaculture.
As the first recipient of the Wetland City Accreditation in Latin America, Valdivia, Chile, serves as a premier model for urban wetland management. Its institutional framework demonstrates that environmental protection can simultaneously drive employment and food security. This achievement is inseparable from the city’s history of local and Indigenous activism, where IPLCs have served as frontline defenders of the ecosystem for decades.
Research work undertaken at Jabiru, Australia (Kakadu National Park) focuses on understanding indigenous values and priorities for wetlands to help guide management actions, such as weed management, showcasing collaboration in highly biodiverse areas.
The Rights of Wetlands Project being implemented in Lamu, Galole, and Garsen, Kenya (Tana River Basin), actively involves IPLCs to understand how their beliefs, knowledge and practices align with the management of wetlands. This has stimulated great discussions on how ecosystem conservation and community rights can holistically fit together to deliver long-term benefits.
Bogotá, Colombia showcases a dual approach to Indigenous-led urban resilience. While the Mhuysqa Indigenous community of Bosa work to protect wetlands as sacred sites for their cultural memory and well-being, collaborative initiatives with Embera Indigenous communities are deploying ‘treatment wetlands’ (TWs) for wastewater management. By centering community participation, these projects ensure that urban infrastructure aligns with both ecological needs and Indigenous priorities
These examples highlight a growing movement toward collaborative wetland management, which is often more effective due to the deep ecological knowledge held by IPLCs. As we move forward in the implementation of community-based projects, it is important to stress that not all biodiversity initiatives engaging IPLCs are successful given the lack of clarity of the policies designed at the central level or the neglect of local interests. Research demonstrates that project success is directly linked to the active involvement of IPLCs in co-design, the formal recognition of customary institutions, and a balanced approach that secures both immediate community benefits and long-term support for ecosystem maintenance.
In honor of World Wetlands Day, let’s support the vision of IPLCs, learn from their stewardship experiences, and amplify their leadership. Sustainable wetland management is a shared victory, but it requires harmonious partnership between citizens, government officials, enterprises, NGOs, and many others, working together to combine indigenous knowledge with scientific evidence. When we empower local stewards, we protect global biodiversity and create stable economic opportunities.
As cities, regions and urban areas continue to grow, these lessons and new opportunities will hopefully allow for wetlands to be valued for their unique life-supporting functions and services; and more importantly, expand the network of actors, solutions, and connections that form our urban wetlands tapestry.
At the 2025 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress (WCC), experts discuss how integrating nature into urban planning is essential for building resilient, sustainable, and equitable cities. Considering a substantial portion of the global GDP is generated in cities, the way urban areas work with nature has a profound impact on both people and the planet.
Ingrid Coetzee (Director, Biodiversity, Nature & Health, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability), Rogier van den Berg (Global Director, WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities), Alec Crawford (Director, Nature for Resilience, International Institute for Sustainable Development), and Edwin Andrews (Deputy Mayor, Cape Town, South Africa) explore how cities can align urban growth with ecological sustainability—through nature-based solutions, collaborative governance, and rights-based approaches that improve quality of life for all.
Credit: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
Video Producer: Rosalie Boyle
Videographer: Andres Felipe Carvajal Gomez
For more information about the IUCN World Conservation Congress, please visit: https://enb.iisd.org/2025-iucn-world-conservation-congress
The CitiesWithWater initiative has placed water firmly on the urban sustainability agenda. Through a webinar series and an international photography competition, CitiesWithWater is raising the voice of cities and learning how they can and should act now to safeguard water systems, human well-being and ecosystems.
As climate change intensifies and urbanisation accelerates, cities around the world are increasingly defined by water. In some cases they have too little, sometimes too much, or sometimes water that’s too dirty.
In the recent webinar titled “Too Much“, hosted in collaboration with the World Water Council, city leaders and technical experts explored how urban areas are preparing for or recovering from floods, storms, sea-level rise and the cascading impacts of climate change. This second installment in the CitiesWithWater series followed the success of the first (“Too Little”) and sets the stage for the upcoming webinar, “Too Dirty”, which will delve into water pollution and the urgent need to protect downstream ecosystems and coastal waters.
Lessons from the frontlines of flood resilience
The “Too Much” webinar (18 June 2025) highlighted that flood-related disasters have increased by 134% since 2000 (WMO, 2021), a statistic that no city can afford to ignore. Panellists from cities including Kumamoto (Japan), Lusaka (Zambia), Ningbo (China), and Larissa (Greece) shared powerful case studies on how their municipalities are adapting to flood risks.
- Kumamoto has invested in nature-based solutions such as forest conservation and paddy field water storage, alongside digital tools like VR training to prepare citizens for evacuation.
- Lusaka, where 70% of residents live in informal settlements, is tackling both flood risk and disease outbreaks (e.g., cholera) through community-based infrastructure projects, water point upgrades and employment programmes to clean and unblock drains.
- Ningbo has built a seven-pronged urban water strategy, including intelligent monitoring and rain gardens, to successfully weather major typhoons with minimal impact.
- Larissa, still recovering from Storm Daniel in 2023, highlighted how fragmented governance and lack of infrastructure left the city vulnerable and why resilient planning and institutional cooperation are essential.
These stories reinforce a key takeaway: there is no single stand-alone solution. Urban water resilience requires multi-layered, collaborative and forward-looking solutions, blending engineered infrastructure with ecosystem restoration and active community engagement.
From catchment to coast: The broader picture
What happens upstream doesn’t stay upstream. With the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC) recently reaffirming the vital links between terrestrial and marine systems, CitiesWithWater is also working to bridge the gap between urban water governance and coastal health. Dirty or excessive water from cities — be it stormwater, untreated sewage, or plastic waste — flows downstream, posing major threats to fragile estuaries, coral reefs and fisheries.
In the upcoming “Too Dirty” webinar, these linkages will be explored more deeply. How can cities protect downstream ecosystems from pollution while safeguarding human health and livelihoods? What does it take to reduce nutrient runoff, manage industrial discharge and treat wastewater effectively in dense urban settings?
According to UNEP, 80% of marine pollution comes from land-based sources, much of it through poorly managed urban water systems. Without effective urban catchment management, the oceans will continue to bear the brunt of our inaction.
Wetlands in the city: Nature’s green infrastructure
With the Convention on Wetlands COP15 fast approaching in July 2025 in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, CitiesWithWater is also drawing attention to the vital role of urban wetlands. These ecosystems, often overlooked in city planning, act as natural sponges that absorb floodwaters, filter pollutants and recharge aquifers.
Wetlands also serve as critical habitat for biodiversity, cooling spaces for urban residents and buffers against sea-level rise and coastal storms. Yet urban expansion continues to degrade or destroy them. Between 1970 and 2015, 35% of the world’s wetlands were lost (Ramsar Global Wetland Outlook, 2018), and many that remain are under pressure from pollution, encroachment and climate change.
Cities that invest in wetland protection and restoration — like Cape Town’s rehabilitation of the Zandvlei Estuary or Kolkata’s use of its East Kolkata Wetlands for natural sewage treatment — are leading the way in reintegrating nature into urban water systems.
As cities prepare for the Wetlands COP, this is the moment to embed wetlands into climate adaptation strategies and urban planning frameworks. The cost of inaction is rising fast in terms of infrastructure damage and ecological collapse.
Why urban water systems matter and why they’re at risk
Urban water systems are not just pipes and pumps. They are the veins and arteries of a living city to sustain health, enable growth and connect communities. Yet they are under serious threat:
- By 2050, 1.6 billion urban dwellers will face water scarcity (UN Water & UNESCO World Water Development Report 2023).
- Urban flooding causes $120 billion in global economic losses each year (World Bank).
- Up to 40% of treated drinking water is lost due to leaks and poor maintenance in cities (World Resources Institute).
The challenges are multiple and formidable, but the opportunity is commensurately large. With the right investment, policy coherence and public engagement, urban water systems can be pathways of resilience. Well-managed urban water systems can cool cities, protect coasts and support biodiversity, not only within urban areas but also for the surrounding catchment on which they are dependent.
From risk to resilience Water — too much, too little, or too dirty — is no longer a peripheral issue. It is central to the survival and success of cities in the 21st century and forms the blue thread through the three Rio Conventions on climate change, biodiversity and desertification and land degradation. CitiesWithWater is helping bring that message to life by hearing directly from city officials how they are rising to the challenge and turning threats into opportunities.
Shaoxing City in Zhejiang Province is embracing a model where biodiversity conservation powers sustainable development. The Shangyu Coastal Wetlands, a critical stopover on the East Asia–Australasia Flyway, welcome over 100 species of rare migratory birds each year, including spoonbills and bean geese. Recognized by BirdLife International, this “Millennium Bird Path” reflects Shaoxing’s commitment to ecological stewardship.
In recent years, Shaoxing has integrated biodiversity considerations into urban and spatial planning, establishing 23 consolidated protected areas and delineating ecological redlines. The city has also launched widespread public awareness campaigns and built digital tools to promote citizen engagement. In 2024, Shaoxing was recognized as a “Biodiversity Charming City” at the UN CBD COP16 Cities Summit.
To better protect its rich ecosystems, Shaoxing has developed a robust biodiversity monitoring network, identifying 5,954 species, including 102 nationally protected species. Legal and judicial mechanisms have been strengthened, with dedicated environmental courts and over 130 biodiversity-related cases resolved since 2022, ensuring strong enforcement and ecosystem restoration.
Shaoxing also exemplifies how biodiversity can support local economies. The ancient Torreya (Xiangfei) groves in the Kuaiji Mountains—recognized as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System—have inspired a thriving industry of both traditional and innovative Torreya-based products. This reflects a broader “eco-wealth” approach, where ecological protection and economic growth go hand in hand.
Shaoxing’s model of biodiversity-led development showcases how cities can foster harmony between nature and urban life while advancing high-quality, inclusive growth.
About the author:
Erik Hirschfeld is a well-known Swedish birder fortunate to live in Malmö. He is the author of several books, including The World’s Rarest Birds (2013) covering global bird conservation and Fåglarnas Malmö (2011), covering Malmö’s birds and their interaction with humans. He has served on bird record committees in Sweden, Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, and has been involved in several scientific expeditions, especially in the Middle East. Fifteen years ago he founded Vilda Malmö, initially a lose network of nature guides, in order to highlight Malmö’s natural environment to its residents. Today he spends his birding time between being an active bird bander, studying migration of seabirds, and running Scandinavia’s largest bird tour company, AviFauna. He frequently gives illustrated talks on birds to both beginners and professionals, and guides people interested in birds for Vilda Malmö.
Few northern European cities can match Malmö when it comes to urban birdwatching. With over 320 species recorded, Malmö proudly tops the list of Swedish cities for avian biodiversity. And it’s not by chance. There are some brilliant reasons why this coastal city is such a magnet for birds.
As a proud member of CitiesWithNature, Malmö is deeply committed to enhancing and preserving its urban ecosystems through sustainable planning and community engagement.
A crossroads for migration
Perched at the southern tip of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Malmö offers migratory birds a convenient shortcut across the water to Denmark and mainland Europe. Much like the famed Falsterbo, just 30 km down the coast, Malmö is perfectly positioned along a major migratory route. When on the move, many landbirds avoid vast bodies of water and instead funnel through areas with shorter crossings. Add the iconic Öresund Bridge into the mix, and you’ve got a ready-made flight path. On windy days, birds of prey can often be seen using the bridge as a navigational aid during their spring and autumn journeys.
But geography alone doesn’t explain Malmö’s birding success. Migrants won’t stop unless there’s a good reason to. That’s where Malmö’s clever city planning and habitat diversity come into play. The city is a patchwork of microhabitats catering to a dazzling variety of birds with different needs.
Red-necked Grebes
Black Redstarts (male & female)
Habitat hotspots and urban adaptations
Take the coastline, for instance. Stretching out in a mix of sandy, muddy, and rocky areas, it serves up a smorgasbord of habitats for wading birds, perfect for sanderlings, bar-tailed godwits, and purple sandpipers. In the harbour, boulders placed as wave-breakers become life-saving shelters for tired migrant passerines hiding from hungry sparrowhawks. Seabirds following the east-west coast are often seen rerouting dramatically to avoid land, providing unforgettable spectacles for those positioned at just the right windy vantage point. In fact, gannets now winter offshore in large numbers, mingling with massive flocks of cormorants. Two species of albatross have even made surprise appearances here, an astonishing rarity in these parts, and sooty shearwaters from New Zealand have become almost annual guests.
One of Malmö’s most productive hotspots is the stretch along Ribersborg Beach. Here, seaweed is cleared to please beachgoers and then dumped near a hedge by Lagunen harbour. That unassuming pile teems with insect life and sits beside a dense alley of trees, offering both food and shelter to weary warblers. Come migration season, that compost pile becomes a lifeline. It’s also the site of an ongoing bird banding project, and when the seaweed dries out, it’s used to fertilise Malmö’s public lawns, an example of ecology in action.
Inland, a series of freshwater ponds offers safe nesting and feeding areas to mute swans, little grebes, and the red-necked grebe, a striking species whose springtime courtship dances can be enjoyed up close, even without binoculars. These ponds give Malmö residents front-row seats to one of nature’s most theatrical performances.
Oystercatcher
Barnacle Geese
Red-necked Grebe
Common Gull
Barnacle Geese
Barnacle Geese with two rare Red-breasted Geese
Birds in the parks and cemeteries
Every spring, a headline act unfolds in the city. Ravens nest in an old shipbuilding crane beside a waterfront residential zone, an urban first in Sweden. Unlike the domesticated Tower of London ravens, these are wild birds, voluntarily choosing Malmö’s industrial relics as breeding grounds.
The city’s beloved parks are no less impressive. Hammars Park, with its wild undergrowth, attracts songbirds like blackcaps, wood warblers, and goldfinches. Pildammsparken, with its elegant promenade and wide pond, plays host to ducks, gulls, and breeding great crested grebes showing off their curious greeting displays in spring. It’s a favourite among preschoolers, grandparents, and birders alike, offering easy access and rich wildlife. Slottsparken, meanwhile, offers a blend of trees and water that appeals to both breeders and migrants.
In late morning, gulls descend from the coast to bathe in the parks’ freshwaters. Tufted ducks and common gulls, with nesting grounds as far away as Siberia, make Malmö their winter base. Come late February, they’re joined by the first migrant lesser black-backed gulls, newly arrived from central and eastern Africa. Meanwhile, black-headed gulls spend the colder months here after journeys from Finland and the Baltics. Banded individuals, some as old as 30, have revealed fascinating life histories stretching across multiple cities and countries. The combination of being raised and spending the winter in highly urbanized habitats seems to be favorable to longevity.
St Pauli Cemetery, oriented north to south, is another seasonal hotspot, especially in spring. Here, you might glimpse the cryptic wryneck or the elusive ring ouzel, more commonly found in the remote fjells of summer. Redstarts regularly nest here too, making the cemeteries a true urban oasis.
Rooftop nesters and winter guests
Even Malmö’s high-rises play a part. Districts like Västra Hamnen, Dockan, and Limhamns Sjöstad resemble mountainous terrain to birds like the black redstart, which now echo their melodic calls through Malmö’s urban canyons. Some individuals even winter here, finding refuge in the evergreen ivy on buildings near the central station, alongside European robins.
The charismatic oystercatcher also makes its urban presence felt. Arriving in late February, they roost in flocks on jetties used by swimmers in summer before fanning out to nest on flat rooftops. Common gulls, meanwhile, often share these rooftops, while house martins and common swifts each have their architectural preferences. Clay nests on high buildings suit the martins, while the swifts prefer roof tiles on villas in Malmö’s western suburbs.
And let’s not forget the barnacle geese. Once Arctic-bound migrants, they now breed in Malmö in huge numbers, a mix of introduced birds and natural colonists. In May, local geese look skyward as their distant cousins pass overhead in dramatic, noisy formations, en route between the Low Countries and their Novaya Zemlya breeding grounds. Some Malmö-born geese have even been spotted in the Arctic, and vice versa.
Oystercatchers
Of course, the benefits of this biodiversity aren’t just for the birds. Access to urban nature is known to boost human well-being, and Malmö makes it easy to connect with the wild. Through the Vilda Malmö (Wild Malmö) program, residents can join free expert-led tours covering birds, bats, trees, marine life, and more, kept to small, intimate groups. For those who prefer to look for urban wildlife on their own, there are information signs placed around the city, with photos or drawings of the local fauna.
Malmö’s love of birds runs deep. Even its bird alert app, usually the domain of avid birders, has over 1,000 subscribers, proving that in this city, the skies above are just as captivating as the streets below.
While wetland ecosystems are increasingly being recognized as highly valuable natural assets that provide a wide range of benefits to urban communities, the services they provide are under immense pressure due to rapid urban expansion and human activity. Cities are uniquely positioned to drive local action to protect our wetlands.
Below are five key action areas for cities to mobilize urban communities for wetlands:
1
Incorporate wetland conservation into urban planning and policy
Integrate wetland management goals into municipal development plans, zoning regulations, and climate resilience strategies.
Advocate for wetlands as critical infrastructure in disaster risk management, emphasizing their role in flood mitigation, erosion control, and urban cooling.
Allocate funding for wetland restoration and maintenance as part of city budgets.
2
Promote the role of wetlands in water resource management
Highlight wetlands’ function as natural water filters, improving water quality for drinking and sanitation.
Educate communities about the importance of wetlands in regulating stream flow, preventing floods, and mitigating droughts.
Encourage partnerships between cities and water utilities to protect wetlands as vital water supply sources.
In the weeks to come, and during our meeting in Rome this February, I will work alongside Parties to build the trust and consensus needed to achieve Peace with Nature, ensuring that the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) translate into tangible action. Securing adequate and predictable financing will be central to our efforts, enabling transformative change for biodiversity while ensuring benefits for communities and ecosystems alike.
– said H.E. Susana Muhamad, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia and President of COP16.
3
Foster public engagement and education
Organize events such as guided wetland tours, birdwatching activities, and clean-up drives to connect urban communities with local wetlands.
Collaborate with schools and universities to use wetlands as outdoor classrooms for environmental education.
Celebrate World Wetlands Day by showcasing wetlands’ cultural, recreational, and ecological value through art exhibitions, storytelling sessions, and public campaigns.
4
Leverage wetlands for climate action and biodiversity
Showcase wetlands’ role in carbon storage and their contributions to achieving climate targets at city and regional levels.
Promote the restoration of urban wetlands as natural climate buffers that reduce the impacts of extreme weather events.
Highlight their role in preserving biodiversity by creating habitat corridors that link urban green spaces and facilitate species migration.
5
Promote sustainable livelihoods and economic opportunities
Encourage eco-tourism and recreational activities like boating, fishing, and wetland safaris to generate local employment.
Support community-based initiatives in wetland restoration, creating jobs and fostering skills in conservation and sustainable resource use.
Showcase the agricultural and economic benefits of wetlands, such as fisheries, fertile soils, and natural resources, as integral to urban food security and poverty reduction.
Mexico City, Mexico
In Mexico City, it is possible to observe 356 species of native birds, of which 47 species are in some local or international risk category. Of the total diversity, 120 species are resident. However, a large number of birds migrate or transit from North America to spend the winter, as the city is part of the central flyway, one of the four main routes. Due to this, it is possible to observe 235 species of birds that are in a migration category and that maintain resident populations in the city and also, 121 species that are exclusively migratory.
Migratory birds can find in Mexico City a variety of ecosystems such as forests, scrublands, wetlands and natural grasslands, as well as urban green areas where they can take refuge for several months and then return to their breeding areas. These natural ecosystems are protected in a System of Natural Protected Areas and of Environmental Value Areas, a Ramsar Site, two Important Bird Conservation Areas (IBA) and a complex network of urban green areas.
The Ministry of the Environment develops different activities to provide quality habitat where they can find places of refuge and resupply of food and water, so that they can survive and continue their trips. Hard work has been done restoring natural ecosystems and green infrastructure, establishing 44 million trees and other plants, as well as restoring more than 30 kilometers of rivers. In addition, community brigades are in charge of fire prevention and response, and the removal of waste and invasive plants. These activities are very important for the conservation of natural ecosystems and specifically for wetlands, since the water lily (Eichhornia crassipes) invades until it completely covers them, preventing the arrival of birds by perceiving it from the sky as a green area and not like a body of water.
Due to the lake origin of the city, 34 new wetlands (31.09 hectares) have been created and 722 hectares of these ecosystems have been restored, mainly in Xochimilco and Tláhuac, where the arrival of up to 220 species of birds has been recorded. Additionally, the Bird Beach has been created in the San Juan de Aragón Forest, which is visited by 192 species of birds.
30 million plants have been incorporated into conservation land and 14 million into urban land of 80 species, many pollinated by insects. More than 1,000 pollinator gardens and insect hotels have also been created, in collaboration with 979 trained women and community brigades, which represent a valuable source of resources for nectarivorous and insectivorous birds. This has been complemented by the promotion of agroecological practices in more than 12 thousand hectares and the recovery of 1 million square meters of chinampas, with the participation of more than 40 thousand people from ejidos and communities that inhabit these territories.
The biodiversity monitoring program developed by community brigades allows us to learn about the species that make use of green spaces, integrating citizens in bird watching and nature photography tours and other conservation activities. Thanks to the participation and interest of citizens in the care of urban wildlife, new species and large flocks have been registered.
Definitely, the birds that have surprised citizens the most are the American White Pelican, Wilson’s Phalarope and the Belted Kingfisher observed in wetlands and the flocks of Cedar Waxwing on urban land. Among the most charismatic insectivorous species are the Canada Warbler, Wilson’s Warbler, Hammond’s Flycatcher, Black-and-White Warbler and others.
Further reading
City Government of Puerto Princesa, Philippines
The City Government of Puerto Princesa initiatives thru the office of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (City ENRO):
Protected Biodiversity Areas
As the only Highly Urbanized City in the entire region of MIMAROPA, The City Government of Puerto Princesa find it critical to establish protected areas and other biodiversity reserves such as the Palawan Flora, Fauna, and Watershed Reserve (PFFWR), Magarwak Nature Research and Ecological Park (MNREP), Cleopatra’s Needle Critical Habitat (CNCH) and the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) that help maintain natural ecosystems and support its community thru its ecosystem benefits. These areas harbor a rich diversity of flora and fauna, rivers, crees and streams, including endangered and threatened species, and serve as an important refuge for wildlife, including migratory birds. Protected areas serve as critical stopover sites where migratory birds can rest, refuel and replenish their energy reserves during long-distance migrations. These areas provide abundant food resources, safe roosting places, breeding grounds, and suitable habitat conditions for birds to recover from the ordeals of their flight during migration. By protecting these areas, Puerto Princesa ensures that migratory birds have suitable stop-over (resting) and nesting sites where they can “feed and rest” during their journeys.
Coastal Area Maintenance
Activities like mangrove planting through the “Love Affair with Nature” and CGPP’s Bays Conservation through coastal clean-up initiatives under “Save the Bays”, now on its 9th episode, contribute to the health of coastal ecosystems. Mangroves and bays are critical habitats for insects, numerous marine living things and other small organisms that form the base of the food chain. Puerto Princesa boasts a sprawling coastline spanning 416 kilometers, showcasing a rich diversity of landscapes. Additionally, the mangrove areas within the city cover a total expanse of 6,281 hectares. By maintaining these coastal ecosystems, Puerto Princesa City supports the availability of insects, which in turn supports migratory birds that feed on them.
Love Affair with Nature under City Ordinance No. 287, passed on December 26, 2005, is one of the City Government of Puerto Princesa’s local policy that is focused on rehabilitating and enhancing coastal area management. The said ordinance declared every 14th of February a yearly activity were the large City community participate in mangrove planting. Dubbed and institutionalized as “Love Affair with Nature”, it expanded Valentine’s Day’s expression of love from the customary person-to-person and added a concern to protect mother nature and as a continuing call to ensure the protection and sustainable use of the natural resources. The event heightens awareness of the people on the ecological role of mangroves and other coastal ecosystems in the vital web of life, (Hon. Feliberto S. Oliveros III, December 26, 2005, City Ordinance No. 287 of the 11th Session of the Sangguniang Panlungsod of the City of Puerto Princesa).
Establishment of Nurseries for (Endemic/Local) Forest Tree Species
Establishing nurseries for (endemic) forest tree species and fruit tress not only supports reforestation but also enhances the biodiversity of the locality. Trees provide a natural habitat for a variety of insects, creating a conducive environment for their reproduction and survival. As these forests grow and mature, they become attractive destinations for migratory birds, providing food and shelter. The maintenance of these nurseries provides support to our continuing efforts to reforest denuded areas, bolster private reforestation endeavors and help in providing accomplishment of the exacted Corporate Social Responsibility of our business community. The game plan is to provide these seedlings for free.
Reforestation efforts in Puerto Princesa City is already institutionalized as early as the year 1991 and celebrated annually thru an event called “Pista Y ang Cagueban” (Feast of the Forest) This yearly activity helped restore degraded areas, providing habitats for countless species of plants, animals, insects, fungi, and microorganisms. The efforts help restore and expand habitat for various species of endemic flora and fauna, promoting biodiversity conservation and supporting ecosystem resilience. This activity culminates the consciousness of the City’s inhabitants and a reminder of their responsiblity to help the Government restore its natural forest. City Ordinance No.216 formalized this activity and its annual observance.
Avian Fauna Assessment in Protected Areas and Wetlands.
Given that birds are good barometer of a healthy environment, henceforth, the City Government of Puerto Princesa thru the Office of the City ENRO, essentially focuses on the conduct of periodic annual bird assessment to provide us key information, and data of these avian species to help us understand their role in our ecosystem. The information provided by this activity inculcate in our consciousness the importance of conserving avian fauna biodiversity, maintaining a balanced and healthy ecosystem, and sustaining the benefits that birds provide to society. Bird assessment involves evaluating the status, abundance, distribution, and trends of the bird population. Assessing bird populations such as migratory birds help prioritize conservation efforts by identifying bird species at risk of decline, also, monitoring bird populations provides insight into the overall condition of an ecosystem.
We made an extra step forward by embracing avian eco-tourism in the City to support our local bird assessment effort. We initiated in partnership with the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) the PPUR International Bird Photography Race in November 2015 and is still proceeding up to this year. This annual assessment event under the auspices of an eco-tourism activity, provided us records of both endemic and migratory birds. Data of migratory birds during this activity include rare and first country records. Additionally, the PPUR-IBPR contributes to the local circular economy of the City.
We participate in the annual Asian Waterbird Census with the National Government thru the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). City ENRO’s participation in these monitoring efforts contributes to the broader conservation goals and supports the establishment of key areas for migratory birds such as the Snake Island found in Honda Bay of Puerto Princesa City. Regular monitoring of migratory bird populations helps assess the health of habitats and identify the need for conservation efforts to preserve biodiversity. This data is crucial for understanding their migratory patterns, identifying threats, and implementing effective conservation strategies.
Environmental enforcement
The City Government of Puerto Princesa have invested in the field of enforcement. placed under the Office of the City ENRO are the Bantay Gubat (Forest Guardians), Bantay Dagat (Sea Guardians) and Bantay Bakawan (Mangrove Guardians). They are the government arm to impliment and impose obedience to the various environmental laws of the Republic and local policies. Their activities include the deterrent of wildlife trafficking, IEC and cooperation with local partners and the community.
Collaboration with Key Agencies: Working with organizations like DENR and PCSD/S promotes collaboration and the sharing of resources. It promotes a unified approach to bird conservation by combining expertise and data from various stakeholders. Through this collaboration, the following benefits are achieved:
- Comprehensive Data Collection: Agencies often have more extensive resources and a broader reach, allowing for more thorough data collection and analysis. Our participation helps strengthen this collaborative network.
- Policy and Regulation Support: Information gathered from monitoring activities informs government policies and regulations related to migratory birds. This collaboration can lead to better enforcement of conservation laws and regulations.
- Public Awareness and Education: Joint monitoring efforts often include outreach to local communities, and raising awareness about the importance of migratory birds and their conservation. Our involvement helps educate others and promote a culture of conservation.
Contributing to Conservation Outcomes: It is our objective to directly contribute to the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats. We are exerting efforts to work with other key partners and support local as well as global community to broaden our environmental objectives, enhance our capability and approach in biodiversity preservation, and widen our understanding of ecosystem health, and the sustainability of natural resources. The current effort of the City ENRO is the establishment of a new RAMSAR site within urban district. We are excited to pursue this project in collaboration with our local and international partners.
Cascais Municipality, Portugal
Cascais Municipality is located on Portuguese coastline, bordered by the Sintra mountains at the north side, and the Atlantic Ocean in the west and south sides. A large portion of municipality, over 28% of territory (2641ha), is inserted in Sintra-Cascais Natural Park and is part of Natura 2000 Network (Sintra/Cascais SCI PTCON0008), a protected area that extends from the coast to the mountains and interior plateau, with several different habitats present, including heathlands, mixed oak and pine forests, mediterranean matorral, dry grasslands rich in orchids, riparian forests and humid tall grasses, sand dunes and costal cliffs and reefs. Ecological network also includes small rivers inside urban areas, urban parks and peri-urban rural areas, as well as a local coastal protected marine area (AMPA). In addition, Cabo Raso Marine Site (PTZPE0061) is located along Cascais coastline and is an important feeding area for pelagic and coastal birds. All these natural areas provide stopover sites for several species during their spring and post breeding migrations. Over 130 migratory bird species have been recorded in Cascais, and around 40 migratory species recorded in Cascais municipality are insectivorous.
Cascais Ambiente is the municipal company for waste management, urban cleaning and ecological infrastructure management, and has been carrying out major efforts for keeping and improving city health, environment, natural resources and quality of life. Among many projects, several actions have been helping to preserve and improve birds and insects habitats and food sources, directly and indirectly.
Habitats management, ecological restoration and adaptation to climate change
Cascais Ambiente is responsible for managing and restoring several areas within Sintra-Cascais Natural Park. Quinta do Pisão, a visitation area rich in biodiversity has been actively managed and restored, acting as a pilot area with successful practices expected to be replicated into more areas. It is already possible to see the effects of these practices, as Quinta do Pisão supports highly diverse insect and bird populations, with over 90 bird species recorded during annual monitoring. Recently, Cascais Ambiente started a new project, LIFE ResLand, aiming to adapt natural park and rural peri-urban landscape to climate change, with actions focused on building resilience to wildfires and to improve and restore ecosystems. Major actions being implemented that are expected to promote biodiversity include:
- Implementation of natural grazing and rewilding practices using roe deer, and native semi-feral breeds of sheep, donkey and horses to manage shrub vegetation, for
decreasing fuel load and wildfire risk, while increasing vegetation
diversity and complexity, increasing resources and attracting more insects and birds. - Sustainable management and restoration of native forests, riparian forests, and ponds, enhancing their ecological services and increasing the availability of natural habitats and food resources for other animals.
- Monitoring of birds, pollinators and other biodiversity groups, as ecological indicators for assessing progress of the actions.
- Work with local community and property owners for future replication of actions in private land.
Other habitat management actions include:
- Implementation of nature-based solutions for forest pest management (ex.: Spongy moth) such as installation of bird nest boxes and bat shelters to attract natural predators, with high occupation rates over the years.
- Implementation of cover crops in habitat and pasture edges for increasing food resources and for providing shelter for animals.
Raising awareness and involving the community for nature conservation
Cascais Ambiente has also been caring out extensive work with schools and local communities. Some examples of actions helping to preserve bird and insect habitats and increase awareness for their importance include:
- Community and youth involvement in several environmental volunteering programs for conservation of forests, sea and coastal habitats (Oxigénio, Natura Observa, + Mar), and main activities are plantation of native trees and shrubs, manual removal of invasive plants, collecting garbage from small rivers and coastline, and construction of insect hotels and nest boxes for birds.
- Educational projects at local schools and urban green spaces, such as Cascais BioUrbe project, that aim to raise awareness about biodiversity and ecosystem services, to improve local biodiversity and increase knowledge, with installation of nest boxes, bat shelters and insect hotels, among other actions.
- Implementation of organic community gardens.