Conservation by the Yard

Susannah B. Lerman, PhD, Research Ecologist, Urban Forests, Human Health, and Environmental Quality, USDA Forest Service

Most people see the urban and suburban landscape as a concrete jungle, devoid of wildlife. Susannah Lerman instead sees potential wildlife habitat that could reverse the loss of biodiversity while providing positive interactions between people and nature. Using lessons learned from her research, she will describe how yards provide habitat, how the landscaping decisions we make influence the birds and the bees, and the role individual householders play in supporting conservation.