The document discusses the importance of urban conservation efforts in Texas. It notes that 85% of the state's population lives in major metropolitan areas and Texas cities are among the fastest growing in the US. As urban areas continue expanding, conservation is needed to protect native species and habitats. The organization works on initiatives like native landscaping, solar energy projects, bird-friendly buildings, and sustainability training to harmoniously blend nature into urban environments.

1. URBAN CONS ERVAT IO N
2201 Main St., Suite 600, Dallas, TX 75201 | 214-370-9735 | tx.audubon.org/urbanconservation
Imagine a future with natural spaces harmoniously blended into our cities and suburbs. We do,
and we’re working toward it every day by thinking honestly and creatively about the way we
do business, and embracing values that leave the land a better place for generations to come.

2. federal listings &
state listings
of threatened or endangered species.
Due to habitat fragmentation & pressures from
development we have
We’ve seen extinctions
in the last years.
WHY URBAN CONSERVATION?
Houston & DFW
metros are roughly
of the entire
population.
of our population lives in a
major metropolitan area.
Amazingly, our population
is expected to double by 2050.
Texas is home to
8 of the 15
fastest growing
large US cities.
85%
12
10 50
172
95%
94
4,000
49%
We rank in total US gas consumption.
It’s tricky to protect our wild things & wild places
when of our state is privately owned.
Texas is one of the most ecologically
diverse states with ecoregions,
and
almost
species of birds, reptiles,
amphibians & plants.
DFW, Houston & San Antonio all exceeded
air quality standards in 2011. Dallas & Houston
residents spend about a month a year
breathing air deemed unsafe by the EPA.
But, we were ranked
in the nation in pounds
of toxic release into
waterways in 2010.
Georgetown, TX will be
the largest city in the
US to go 100% wind
& solar in 2017.
Texas is a leader in green energy production.
By offering a suite of services to municipalities,
engineers, architects, planners, businesses,
schools, homeowners & anyone who wants to
be a part of smart, science-based conservation
in Texas, we’re an active architect & partner of
urban planning, design & conservation. Four
focal areas help us transform urban spaces:
WATER CONSERVATION & QUALITY
CLEAN ENERGY & AIR
NATIVE HABITATS
CONNECTIONS TO NATURE & PLACE
2201 Main St., Suite 600, Dallas, TX 75201 | 214-370-9735 | tx.audubon.org/urbanconservation
1st
4th
2nd

3. URBAN SOLAR
The US Department of Energy estimates
that if just 7% of the nation’s urban acreage
hosted solar panels, we could supply all of
the country’s current electricity demand.
Much of the footprint in our urban and
suburban spaces are mostly unused and an
excellent opportunity for energy generation
right where that energy is needed most.
Audubon Texas is partnering with NextEra
Energy to engage commercial property
owners and managers in hosting urban solar
projects that provide renewable energy to
their facilities and the local grid. Photovoltaic
panels come in a variety of types suited to a
diversity of surfaces and structures, like
rooftops, covered parking, free-standing
panels, awnings, and even art installations.
Negotiates reduced
energy rate
Decreases carbon
footprint as a business
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-
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- Provides installation
and maintenance of
solar panelsNegotiates relationship
Adds a new offering
to their green energy
market share
Receives a small portion
of revenues from NextEra
PARKING LOT /
ROOFTOP SOLAR
HOST

4. NATIVE PLANTS FOR BIRDS
Over the last 100 years, urban sprawl has
transformed 150 million acres of
farmland and native habitats across the
United States into buildings, hardscape,
and 40 million acres of highly-manicured
lawns. Filled with exotic plants, these
urban landscapes no longer support the
healthy, functioning ecosystems that
birds and wildlife need. By replacing our
conventional landscaping with gardens
featuring native plants, we can restore
these vital habitats and create spaces
for birds within our own backyards.
Together with Audubon programs
across the nation, Audubon Texas’s
Plants for Birds program will provide
planners, landscape architects, schools,
businesses, and homeowners with the
tools they need to transform their urban
landscapes into part of the world’s
largest distributed bird sanctuary.
Creating safe, healthy urban habitats
for birds helps not only them; it also
creates a more sustainable, water-wise,
and beautiful place for people as well.
Ecoregion-specific plant lists for birds
Plants for Birds Ambassador Trainings
for volunteers
Info and resources for local nurseries
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Visit tx.audubon.org for resources like:
Blackland
Prairie
Piney
Woods
Post Oak
Savannah
Rolling Plains
High Plains
Trans-Pecos
Edwards Plateau
Cross Timbers
& Prairies
Gulf Prairies
& Marshes
South Texas
Plains

5. BIRD-FRIENDLY BUILDINGS
Collisions with building glass are the second
highest cause of human-related bird mortality,
killing hundreds of millions of birds each year.
Native migratory birds are at greater risk of
building collidings than exotic, urban birds, such
as pigeons and starlings. The issue isn’t limited
to urban high-rises: houses and low-rise
buildings can account for up to 99% of collisions.
Creating safe urban spaces for birds starts with
the structures we live, work, and play in. Texas
hosts 98.5% of all North America’s long-distance
migratory birds. Making our cities and suburbs
safer for the millions of birds that pass through
them every spring & fall is a conservation
priority. Audubon’s Bird Friendly Buildings
program addresses the two primary issues that
drive the majority of bird-building collisions —
reflectivity & transparency of glass & urban
light pollution.
Whether you live in an apartment or manage a
large downtown high rise, there are a variety of
ways to help make your building more bird
friendly. Even simple solutions can provide
dramatic benefits for the birds who navigate
our landscapes of light and glass.
A Guide to Preventing Bird Strikes for
homeowners and businesses
Information about integrating Bird Friendly
Buildings principles and solutions into
consulting projects
D-Bird, a crowdsourced citizen science
project where everyone can contribute
data about bird collisions
Resources for Lights Out programs which
operate during migration
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Visit tx.audubon.org for resources such as:
“If you take care of
birds you will take care
of most of the problems
of the world.”
Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, “Godfather of Biodiversity”

6. CONSERVATION PLANNING
A truly sustainable development project or
comprehensive plan considers and supports
a beautiful, healthy natural environment that
delivers vital ecosystem services to the
community. Audubon Texas’s fee-based
Conservation Planning Services focus on
supporting and improving the biological and
ecological systems and aspects of a given
project, whether at the site, municipal, or
regional scale. For more extensive projects of
a larger scope (like master or comprehensive
plans), we have the flexibility to participate as
ecological specialists on a collaborative team.
Since 2014, we’ve provided conservation
planning services for a Blackland Prairie
restoration project in the out-of-play areas of
the Trinity Forest Golf Course in Dallas, future
home of the Byron Nelson Championship,
adjacent to the Trinity River Audubon Center.
When installed, this project will result in an
impressive 70 acres of native tallgrass prairie,
the most endangered ecosystem in North
America, just minutes from downtown Dallas.
Geographic Information Systems analysis
Ecoregionally appropriate landscape
specification & design
Bird Friendly Building design specifications
Integration of ecological narrative &
community programming into site design
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Areas of Specialty:
Fairway Turning Point
Green
Tee
In-Play Area
Trinity Forest Golf Course Blackland Prairie Restoration Project
Foundation Grass Mix (77 acres)
Edge Buffer – Prairie or Wildflower Mix (10 acres)
Interior Habitat – Prairie or Wildflower Mix (14 acres)
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7. SUSTAINABILITY & URBAN ECOLOGY TRAINING
Sustainability in design, development, and
management of urban green spaces and the
services they deliver is an important aspect of
any city or suburb’s comprehensive plans and
development strategies. Audubon Texas's
Sustainability and Urban Ecology Trainings are
designed to enhance informed policy and on-
the-ground implementation of best practices
supporting sustainable urban ecosystems.
Customizable to a variety of audiences and
ecoregions, these trainings, classes, and
seminars are ideal for municipal staff, elected
officials, contract services providers, urban
planners, architects, and landscape architects.
For groups whose professional associations
have annual continuing education credit
requirements, these trainings can help fulfill
CEC requirements while introducing
conservation and sustainability best practices.
Beginning in November 2014, we piloted a
5-session series of Urban Ecology Awareness
trainings for City of Dallas staff in multiple
major departments working on the Trinity
Corridor Project and in city parks. This series
of scaffolded, outdoor-oriented, experiential
sessions focus on management/planning
considerations that will support healthy native
ecosystem function in Dallas’s green spaces.
The next phase will see the deployment of
these trainings in an online module-based
setting, making them more accessible and
flexible for a wider audience of participants.

8. URBAN CON S ERVAT IO N
For more infomation about ways to invest in this program, drop us an email at audubontexas@audubon.org.
2201 Main St, Suite 600, Dallas, TX 75201 | 214-370-9735 | tx.audubon.org/urbanconservation