New York City skyline Views of the New York City skyline from Central Park, New York. © Mat Rick

Build Healthy Cities

Cities are growing—fast. By 2050, two-thirds of the world’s population will live in urban areas.

An increasing urban population means that cities are expanding their footprint at an alarming rate. It also means fewer people have access to nature’s benefits. Even in cities, we depend on natural habitat for food, clean water, clean air and our physical & mental health. With smart planning, science-based solutions & strong partnerships, we can make the green cities of tomorrow resilient, healthy & equitable.

How We’re Building Sustainable Cities

Children gather during a gardening activity at the Sinolink Primary School in Shenzhen, China. November 2017. The Sinolink Primary School in Shenzhen has implemented a number of sponge city features including permeable surfaces in their sports grounds and entrance walking areas, added rain barrels, and started a 'young naturalists' class that also teaches students about rainwater management and related gardening. The school is located in Luohu district, Shenzhen, China. TNC's Build Healthy Cities Program. — **Include Nature** We are helping integrate urban forests, rain gardens, parks and wetlands into sustainable city planning to bring nature’s benefits to urban residents. © Theodore Kaye

In coordination with generous sponsorships from UPS, The Nature Conservancy, Brown-Forman, and Brightside planted trees for a community-wide planting day. — **Green City Growth** We promote green city designs like permeable surfaces & rain gardens that can manage stormwater while providing health benefits and reducing pollution in our rivers. © Devan King/The Nature Conservancy

On the Yangtze at various spots in Chongqing. The Yangtze River flows across China and empties into the East China Sea near the historic city of Shanghai. — **Plan for Climate Change** We work with cities from New Orleans to Beijing to use nature as the first line of defense against the effects of climate change, like low air quality & urban heat-islands. © Kevin Arnold

Akshay Arora at Union Square Farmers Market. — **Get Outside** People in cities are increasingly disconnected from nature. We are facilitating access & engagement to build a movement to increase physical, emotional & spiritual health. © Kevin Arnold

Bridge in Louisville, Kentucky View of the Second Street Bridge (George Rogers Clark Memorial Bridge) over the Ohio River in Louisville, Kentucky. © Devan King/The Nature Conservancy

Ask your Leaders to Act

Feature

Nature in the Urban Century

Booming cities raise the stakes for biodiversity—here’s how smart urban planning can serve people and nature.

Learn More

Rooftop Garden in China An employee waters the gardens on the rooftop of the Tencent Binhai towers in Shenzhen, China. © Theodore Kaye

Explore our Insights

Partnerships

Youth Engagement

The Youth Engagement team at The Nature Conservancy works to expand the current conservation movement by ensuring that young people from all backgrounds get the opportunity to gain necessary skills to become a force for nature.

Learn More

Building Healthy Cities

A Valdivian Coastal Reserve park guard stands between two giant Alerce trees covered in moss and leaves.

Feature

6 Ways Trees Benefit All of Us

From a city park to a vast forest, trees deliver for us when we help them thrive. Here are 6 ways.

Breaching orca near the San Juan Islands, Washington.

Program Overview

5 Ways That Rain Gardens Help Seattle and Puget Sound

A natural solution to pollution cleans the Sound’s water for salmon, orcas and all who depend on clean water (like us!).

Field Guide to Conservation in Cities in North America

Project Overview

Field Guide For Conservation In Cities

The Field Guide provides practical experience and guidance from perspective of The Nature Conservancy and Center For Whole Communities.

By Meera Bhat

Birmingham high school students are working with The Nature Conservancy and partners to transform vacant lots into natural space and find empowerment in the process. It's an example of partnerships and communities helping cities thrive.

Program Overview

Whole Measures For Urban Conservation

Whole Measures is a reference point for leaders interested in prioritizing benefits to low-income communities and advancing justice and equity in their work.