The Importance of Biodiversity

The urban development of the Phoenix Valley has lowered the diversity of plants and animals that occupy the area. This “biodiversity” is an important measure of the health of the land. It is the source of a variety of services that many of us take for granted, from providing food and materials to regulating water purification and the climate.

How You Can Help

Each of us can do our part to support a greater number of native plant and animal species in our yards. As you take steps to make your yard more bird-friendly, we encourage you to record the changes you see in your yard by utilizing the following tools:

eBird

Nature's Notebook

By observing and recording the wildlife present in your yard, your data will be combined with the data of others throughout the state and nation to aid scientists, organizations, and policy-makers as they make conservation decisions that will affect our region’s biodiversity for generations to come. In addition, by recording the wildlife that currently visits your yard and continuing to monitor as you make improvements, you will be able to directly measure the impact of your efforts.