Biodiversity Loss & Urban Heat: A Nature- Based Wildlife Policy for the Las Vegas Metro

Authors

Zachary Billot, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow

Document Type

Capstone Project

Publication Date

Spring 5-17-2024

Publication Title

Brookings Public Policy Minor Culminating Project

First page number:

1

Last page number:

31

Abstract

As the population of the Las Vegas Metro continues to grow, new developments expand on the periphery. As Las Vegas continues to increase in size and develop further into wildlife habitat, not only are native animals and plants endangered, but residents are at risk of increasingly dangerous urban heat given the increase in impervious cover that makes Las Vegas the 2nd fastest warming metro in the U.S. This policy brief examines current policy and practice in place to highlight the need for positive human-wildlife interaction that will address the growing threat of biodiversity loss and heat vulnerability. This policy brief recommends policy solutions to mitigate these problems including the creation of dual-use wildlife corridors, zoning regulation adjustments to improve native biodiversity in residential and commercial developments, and increased nature-based policies for development and conservation of Southern Nevada lands.

Keywords

Wildlife policy; environmental policy; climate change; Las Vegas Metro; public policy; Mountain West; Land Management; conservation

Disciplines

Biodiversity | Environmental Policy | Environmental Studies | Public Affairs | Public Policy | Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration | Urban Studies

Language

English

Repository Citation

Billot, Z. (2024). Biodiversity Loss & Urban Heat: A Nature- Based Wildlife Policy for the Las Vegas Metro. Brookings Public Policy Minor Culminating Project 1-31.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/brookings_capstone_studentpapers/20