
Nature in the City
Urban environments offer unique habitats and conservation opportunities. Often, they are more favorable to native bees than the surrounding suburban, rural, and agricultural areas (Hall 2017). Although providing the vast expanses of habitat needed by large mammals is rarely feasible in urban settings, pollinator conservation is often viable. Creating pollinator habitat in urban areas can also bolster bird populations, as many birds feed on the insects these plants support.
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There is a growing trend of urban birding, as cities offer, taking advantage of opportunities rarely found in rural environments. One such bird is the pigeon, or rock dove (Columbia liva). Though sometimes seen as a nuisance in urban life, they have quite successfully adapted to using buildings in place of the cliff faces the species originally nested on. They are a delicacy to the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), of which St. Louis City has a breeding pair. Peregrine falcon populations plummeted in the 1950's and 1960's due to use of pesticides that caused thinning of their eggshells. Since the banning of these pesticides, their populations have been booming, so keep an eye and ear to the sky for these spectacular birds. However, there is a wide variety other of birds to see in the city.
Where to find Nature in Urban Areas
Observing Nature in STL
Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to leave the city to observe the natural world. There is a booming ecosystem in urban areas that frequently gets overlooked. From plants fighting for survival in cracked cement to our crown jewels of Forest Park, The Missouri Botanical Garden, Gateway Arch National Park, and Citygarden Sculpture Park there are a lot of places to observe nature in St. Louis City. There are 105 public parks within St. Louis City, with 10 state parks in the Greater St. Louis metro area.
There are parks and green spaces throughout the city, including a network of green spaces extending from the Mississippi Riverfront down Market Street through to Downtown West. Great Rivers Greenway is planning to complete Brickline Greenway connecting Forest Park to the Gateway Arch National Park.
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Nature Grows in Cracks
You can find non-human life in the most urban spaces, for instance, this wildflower is growing in a crack in the sidewalk on Washington Avenue in Downtown ST. Louis
