Climate-Resilient Pollinator Gardens
PAS QuickNotes 96
By Sagar Shah, PhD, AICP
This edition of PAS QuickNotes is made possible by a grant from Wildlife Conservation Society through the Climate Adaptation Fund. Support for the Climate Adaptation Fund was provided through a grant to Wildlife Conservation Society from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
Climate is changing at a faster pace than expected and many species are at risk of becoming extinct. At the same time, communities around the country have unused, unkept open spaces. Planners can address all of these issues by incorporating pollinator gardens in open space planning and design, especially when working on community greening and green infrastructure (GI) projects.
Planners across the country are using GI strategies to manage floods, prepare for drought, reduce the urban heat island effect, lower energy demands, and protect the natural environment. The use of native pollinator gardens in this work would enable them to provide a safe habitat for wildlife species, two-thirds of which reside in metropolitan areas.
This edition of PAS QuickNotes explains how planners can use pollinator gardens with native plants to enhance their communities, increase climate resiliency by reducing extreme heat and flooding risks, and achieve the GI goals of protecting natural ecosystems and conserving biodiversity.
Details
About the Author
Sagar Shah, PhD, AICP
Sagar Shah serves as the Manager of Research and Strategic Initiatives at the American Planning Association (APA), leveraging over 15 years of rich experience in community planning. With a focus on the nexus of planning and health, his research delves into effectively integrating health and equity considerations into planning practices. Within APA, Sagar spearheads the 'upskill planners' initiative, dedicated to empowering planners with new skills to thrive in evolving environments. He also plays a pivotal role as a core member of APA’s Foresight Team, actively studying influential external factors - such as AI - that significantly impact planners' roles. Sagar earned his Ph.D. in Regional Development Planning from the University of Cincinnati and holds a Master’s degree in Planning from the University of Southern California. He is a certified planner accredited by the American Institute of Certified Planners.