The following excerpt is from an article on the city of Fort Collins in Colorado, part of a Sustainable Cities series done in collaboration between ICLEI and Impakter. It was featured in this Cities With Nature Buzz newsletter and is posted here with permission from ICLEI.
Fort Collins, Colorado, stands as a beacon of exemplary sustainability efforts, particularly evident in its commitment to SDG 15 — Life on Land. The City has numerous initiatives and projects aimed at addressing biodiversity loss, land degradation, and ecosystem preservation, while also fostering community engagement and advancing indigenous partnerships.
“Equitable access to nature is fundamental to community building. The City strives to place parks within a 10-minute walk of every neighborhood, guaranteeing equal access and enhancing the quality of life,” shared the Mayor of Fort Collins, Jeni Arndt, who serves in a global leadership role, bringing the North American perspective to the ICLEI Global Executive Committee.
Fort Collins’ dedication to biodiversity preservation extends to engaging local communities, stakeholders, and indigenous groups. Rigorous public engagement programs and partnerships with underserved communities ensure inclusive decision-making processes. The City also emphasizes government-to-government Tribal consultation, acknowledging the historical usage of the land by indigenous tribes and seeking their input in environmental projects and cultural preservation efforts.