Who lives in cities and suburbs? People, of course! But that's not the only answer. Although urban areas are built by and for humans, wildlife also has to share the same spaces.
Sometimes, animal life is overhead. Look up, and you might see peregrine falcons, which nest on the ledges of skyscrapers.
Animals can also live right under our noses. Skunks, for example, thrive in suburbs, as pet dogs occasionally discover. Other animals that may share your neighborhood are white-tailed deer, raccoons, squirrels, and opossums.
Sometimes, wilder animals leave the forest or desert and come into our backyards. Because people have eliminated wolves, which prey on coyotes, from urban areas, coyotes are more likely to be found in cities and suburbs. Once limited mostly to the prairies, coyotes have moved west into the canyons of Los Angeles and east to the sandy pines of Cape Cod. A coyote was even caught in New York City's Central Park!
Of course, animals didn't really move into our neighborhoods—we moved into theirs. Think of the area of urban sprawl between Boston and Washington, D.C. People built roads and buildings in the wetlands, fields, and forests that once only wildlife called home. Animals still live in and migrate through the area, but their native habitats have been lost or broken up, and the air and water qualities are worse. That means it can be harder for these animals to survive.
How can you help wildlife? Share your space with them! Make sure that your yard, garden, and school and public places have things that animals need—food, water, places to hide from predators, and places to raise young. Put out the welcome mat!
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Kids and Community
This site for kids by city planners has fun fill-ins, book reviews, and scavenger hunts.
News: "Bio-blitz" in U.S. Park Uncovers Astounding Array of Species
In one 24-hour period scientists scoured a small urban park in Connecticut and found 2,519 species—proof that biodiversity is as close as your backyard.
News: Nature Returns to America's Cities
Thirty years of environmental stewardship, combined with wildlife's innate ability to adapt, have given rise to a resurgence of nature in urban centers.
Raptors in the City
Get a bird's-eye view of Cleveland, Ohio, from a peregrine falcon Webcam, plus related links, newsletters, and more.
Trails, Greenways, and Smart Growth
Find information about creating trails and greenways, including fact sheets and photos.
Urban Landscapes
Urban areas are habitats too, and just like natural habitats they sometimes need help to remain healthy. See what the National Wildlife Federation is doing.
Urban Parks
Parks are natural oases for people and wildlife in urban areas. Learn what makes a good park and why they are so important to urban habitats.
The Wild Side of New York
Wildlife in New York City? Believe it! Explore the skyscrapers and parks of New York, and learn about the wildlife that make their home in this urban habitat.
