2020 031 en

Sports and urban biodiversity
A framework for achieving mutual

benefits for nature and sports in cities
INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE

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A framework for achieving mutual
benefits for nature and sports in cities
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Copyright: © 2020 IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources
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Citation: Wheeler, M., Grossinger, R., Ndayishimiye, E., Spotswood, E., Galt, R. and Carbone, G. (2020). Sports
and urban biodiversity. A framework for achieving mutual benefits for nature and sports in cities. Gland,
Switzerland: IUCN and San Francisco, USA: SFEI.
ISBN: 978-2-8317-2078-4 (PDF)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.2020.14.en
Cover photo: © Shutterstock / Josef Hanus
Edited by: Diwata Hunziker
Layout by: Imre Sebestyén jr / Unit Graphics
Available from: IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)

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Contents
Forewords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . vi
Executive summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . viii
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x
Glossary of terms, abbreviations and acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xi
1 Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
2 A framework for building urban biodiversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.1 Patch size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.2 Connections. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.3 Matrix quality. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2.4 Habitat diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2.5 Native vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
2.6 Special resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
2.7 Management. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
3 Sports and urban protected areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
4 Measuring success in building urban biodiversity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
5 Combining elements to support urban biodiversity:

Selected case studies from Europe, North America,
Australia and South Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
5.1 France – Implementation of the seven biodiversity elements in planning for
Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
5.2 United Kingdom – Supporting biodiversity at the Olympic and Paralympic Games London 2012 . . . . . 29
5.3 France – Diverse habitats at Le Golf National. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
5.4 Australia – Rowers and restoration at Spring Creek, New South Wales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
5.5 Canada – Habitat Island at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Village. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
5.6 Multiple places – Stadiums and green roofs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
5.7 United States – Oriole Garden at Camden Yards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
5.8 Multiple places – Sports and tree planting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
5.9 United States – Monarchs in the rough on golf courses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
5.10 South Africa – Habitat conservation at the Kenilworth Racecourse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
5.11 South Africa – Showcasing local biodiversity outside Cape Town Stadium. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
6 Conclusions – Every little action counts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Sports and urban biodiversity iii

Boxes
Box 1. Biodiversity impacts associated to sports events and venues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Box 2. Definition of protected areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Box 3. Addressing the pressures on urban protected areas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Box 4. The biodiversity vision for Paris 2024. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Box 5. Every little action counts. An overview of actions to promote biodiversity in cities associated
to sports events and venues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Figures
Figure 1. Elements that support urban biodiversity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Figure 2. Habitat patch size. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Figure 3. Features to enhance connectivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Figure 4. Coordinated matrix improvements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Figure 5. Matrix improvement features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Figure 6. Habitat diversity at different scales. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Figure 7. Native plants to support wildlife. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Figure 8. Special resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Figure 9. Management actions to support biodiversity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Figure 10. Paris 2020 Olympic Village . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
iv Sports and urban biodiversity

© AELTC/Anthony Upton
Foreword
From research into urban ecology, we know sports This IUCN guide, Sports and urban biodiversity,
are a feature of the urban environment that is high- aims to bring sports venue owners and operators,
ly relevant to biodiversity and nature. Sports and city authorities and environmentalists together as
nature often occupy the same urban green spac- stewards of urban nature. It is the fourth in a series
es and can support each. Sports also help drive of publications produced in partnership by IUCN
urban planning efforts and regeneration projects, and the International Olympic Committee, and on
providing a unique opportunity to create niches for this occasion in cooperation with the San Francisco
biodiversity and harness the potential of nature’s Estuary Institute.
solutions for the health and resilience of our cities.
The guide provides a set of principles to help sports
As urban populations around the world continue to federations, local organising committees, develop-
grow, the push to make our cities greener, more ers, investors and local authorities to incorporate
natural and healthier is gaining momentum – and the needs of urban nature and biodiversity into
the COVID-19 pandemic has only made the need their planning process. From setting up ecological
for a more liveable urban environment increasingly monitoring systems to improving the management
evident. Given a chance, nature can thrive in ur- of habitats, there is a range of ways in which the
ban settings, and cities can benefit from nature in sports industry can help urban nature flourish.
myriad ways. For instance, Nature-based Solutions
offer a cost-effective way to enhance the sustaina- IUCN is proud to have collaborated with the
bility, resilience and liveability of cities. Trees absorb International Olympic Committee for the past
pollutants, dampen noise and cool the air; wetlands five years to strengthen the links between sports
and rain gardens reduce flood risk; mangroves and and conservation communities to create greener
marshes buffer storms; green spaces facilitate ex- and healthier societies, cities and sports events
ercise, spiritual nourishment and community inter- – and make progress towards the Sustainable
action; and greenways support active, eco-friendly Development Goals that bring us closer to our
travel. Such natural infrastructure may also offer vision of a just world that values and conserves
precious lifelines to the long list of species whose nature.
survival is threatened by urbanisation.
Dr Bruno Oberle, IUCN Director General
vi Sports and urban biodiversity

Foreword
More than half of the world’s population lives in cit- Sport, therefore, can obviously play an active part
ies today, where many sports events take place. in conserving and enhancing urban biodiversity. By
According to the United Nations, by 2050, this pro- doing so, it can deliver important social and public
portion is likely to rise to 68%. health benefits to a growing urban population.
For national and international sporting events, cities This guide – which focuses on cities – is the fourth
offer the necessary infrastructure, such as stadia, in a series of publications about sport and biodi-
transport and accommodation. However, sport is versity, produced in partnership with IUCN, a world
important for cities at the individual and communi- authority on nature and conservation. The guide
ty-level, too. Besides the economic benefits, sport shows how sports events and the sites and infra-
helps those living in cities to stay physically and structure used to host them can help enhance na-
mentally healthy. Many cities are making impres- ture in urban settings. It aims to help local authori-
sive efforts to encourage their citizens to be more ties, clubs, event organisers and sports federations
physically active through the implementation of bike to deliver sports events that meet the needs of peo-
lanes, walking paths and easy access to scooter ple and nature too.
and cycle hire.
Scientists around the world warn that human activi-
This symbiotic relationship between sport and cities ties are destroying our natural environment, placing
can only flourish in a healthy environment. Green around one million species under threat of extinc-
and healthy surroundings make many activities, tion. We hope that this guide, together with other
such as running, cycling, walking and swimming, guides in the series, will help the sports communi-
more enjoyable. Outdoor sports especially require ty to better understand its relationship with nature
clean air and water. and inspire it to take concrete actions to help ad-
dress today’s immense environmental challenges.
If sport needs a healthy environment, cities also Sporting activities must benefit nature if we want
do. Healthy ecosystems make cities more resilient to continue enjoying them, while striving to achieve
and their inhabitants safer. Nature and green spac- our vision of ‘building a better world through sport’.
es boost their physical and mental well-being, and
help to protect them from air pollution and heat, as Christophe de Kepper, Director General,
well as floods and landslides. International Olympic Committee
Sports and urban biodiversity vii

Executive summary
Investing in nature and nature-based solutions is have limited benefits, while addressing multiple el-
an important pathway to address the current eco- ements together can create compounding positive
logical crisis. The loss of biodiversity, with around outcomes.
one million animal and plant species threatened
with extinction, is putting at risk our economies, Eleven case studies capture the biodiversity ac-
livelihoods, food security, health, and quality of tions taken by a variety of sports, from Olympic city
life worldwide. Diverse and innovative measures planning to local projects at stadiums and practice
are needed to reverse this decline and to restore facilities. These examples also reveal ways in which
healthy ecosystems. The magnitude of the chal- improvements to urban biodiversity elements can
lenge calls for the collaboration and contribution of offer a better sporting experience for event partici-
all actors, including non-state actors, such as busi- pants and spectators. The interventions explored in
nesses, local authorities, civil society organisations, this Guide range from small to large, and were often
and individual citizens. conducted with the support of and in collaboration
with local government, conservation organisations,
Drawing on Making Nature’s City: A Science-Based non-profits, environmental experts, schools and/or
Framework for Building Urban Biodiversity by the museums.
San Francisco Estuary Institute, this Guide iden-
tifies the opportunities for sports federations and Sports and urban biodiversity is the fourth in a se-
sport venue owners and operators to develop the ries of guides published under a collaborative part-
seven elements essential for supporting nature in nership with the International Olympic Committee.
cities. These elements, which are based on the way The first, Sport and Biodiversity, was published in
natural ecosystems work, are: i) habitat patch size; 2018 and gives a broad overview of the topic. The
ii) connectivity across the urban landscape; iii) qual- second, published in 2019, Mitigating biodiversity
ity of the landscape matrix surrounding a habitat impacts of new sports venues, looks at the devel-
patch; iv) diversity of habitats available; v) native opment of new venues for sports and their impacts
vegetation; vi) special resources like water and nest- on biodiversity. The third, published in 2020, fo-
ing locations; vii) and wildlife-friendly management. cuses on Mitigating biodiversity impacts of sports
events. In combination, these Guides highlight the
Many diverse types of green spaces in cities are importance of mitigating negative impacts of sport
developed and maintained for sporting events, on biodiversity while bringing forward opportunities
and thus, sports venue owners and operators can to leave lasting positive legacies.
contribute as stewards of urban nature. While one
sporting venue alone can have a small impact on lo- The final message of this Guide is that the magni-
cal biodiversity, several working together can create tude of the challenge calls for the collaboration and
city-wide beneficial effects. Similarly, improvements contribution of all actors, including sport actors,
focused on a single element of the Framework can and that every action counts.
viii Sports and urban biodiversity

Nature and sports both have the power to
bring people outside: to leave their buildings
and screens behind for a respite of physical
and outdoor experience. In cities, sports
and nature often occupy the same green
spaces and – as we show in this guide –
can support each other to mutual benefit.
© iStock / Orietta Gaspari
Sports and urban biodiversity ix

Acknowledgments
Project design and coordination
Giulia Carbone, IUCN
Contributors of case studies

Julie Duffus, International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Holly Gallagher, National Wildlife Federation (NWF)
Patrick Gasser, Union of European Football Associations (UEFA)
Bill Glad, European Athletics
Michelle Lemaître, International Olympic Committee (IOC)
Benjamin Leveque, Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024
Natalie Mills, International Golf Federation
Colleen Orsmond, World Rowing Federation
Dan Reading, World Sailing
Antoine du Souich, SOLIDEO
Donata Taddia, Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB)
Cole Thompson, United States Golf Association (USGA)
Lilian Tretout, SOLIDEO
Tobias Wehr-Candler, Kinross Wolaroi School
Peer reviewers
Dr Victor Beumer
David Stubbs
x Sports and urban biodiversity

Glossary of terms, abbreviations
and acronyms
Active mobility A form of transport of people and sometimes goods that only uses human physical
activity for locomotion. It includes walking, cycling, running and skateboarding among
others.
Athlete Used generically to refer to all competitors in sports events.
Biodiversity The variability among living organisms from all sources including, inter alia, terrestrial,
marine and other aquatic ecosystems and the ecological complexes of which they are
part; this includes diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems (UN,
1992, p. 3).
Certification Written assurance of the conformity of a process, product or service to a pre-determined
scope and set of requirements laid out in a standard. The most credible form of
certification is third party, ideally by a certification body accredited to audit the standard in
question.
Commissioning Commissioning (in the context of these guidelines) is the strategic activity of identifying
the need for a sports event, allocating resources and procuring a provider to best meet
that need, within available means.
Conservation status Category of threat to, and likelihood of, the continued existence of a species or
ecosystem.
Direct impact An outcome directly attributable to a defined action or project activity; often also called a
primary impact (BBOP, 2012, p. 14).
Eco-friendly Not harmful to the natural environment.
Ecology The branch of biology that deals with the relations of organisms to one another and to
their physical surroundings. It includes the study of the distribution and abundance of
organisms, how their populations function and the structure and function of ecosystems.
Ecosystem A dynamic complex of plant, animal, and micro-organism communities and their non-
living environment interacting as a functional unit (UN, 1992, p. 3).
Ecosystem services The benefits people obtain from ecosystems. These include provisioning services such
as food, water, timber, and fibre; regulating services that affect climate, floods, disease,
wastes, and water quality; cultural services that provide recreational, aesthetic, and
spiritual benefits; and supporting services such as soil formation, photosynthesis, and
nutrient cycling (BBOP, 2012, pp. 15–16).
EIA Environmental impact assessment
Event organiser The person/entity responsible for directing and coordinating the planning, promotion and
delivery of a sports event.
Event owner The rights holder of a sports event, typically a sport governing body but can also be
commercial organisations and public bodies.
Federation A union of (non-governmental) sports associations at national or international level
administering and organising a particular sport, namely through competitions, and setting
the rules for that sport.
Flagship species A species that acts as an icon or symbol for a particular habitat, issue, campaign or
environmental cause.
Habitat fragmentation The disruption and spatial and functional break-up of extensive habitats into isolated and
small patches, interspersed with other habitats. Habitat fragments can only support small
populations of fauna, which are more vulnerable to extinction. The patches may not even
be habitable by species occupying the original undivided habitat. Fragmentation often
prevents species migrating between populations and is therefore expected to lead to
losses of species diversity in the longer term (CBD 2008: Biodiversity Glossary).
GEO Golf Environment Organisation
Sports and urban biodiversity xi

GSF Green Space Factor
Habitat The place or type of site where an organism or population of a species naturally occurs
(UN, 1992, p. 4).
Habitat degradation The diminishment of habitat quality, which results in a reduced ability to support flora and
fauna species. Human activities leading to habitat degradation include polluting activities
and the introduction of invasive species. Adverse effects can become immediately
noticeable, but can also have a cumulative nature. Biodiversity will eventually be lost if
habitats become degraded to an extent that species can no longer survive (CBD 2008:
Biodiversity Glossary).
Important areas for Areas recognised to be important for the conservation of particular wild species and their
biodiversity habitats, ecosystems, ecological processes, and/or for maintaining priority ecosystem
services.
Indirect impact Impact triggered in response to the presence of the project, rather than being directly
caused by the project’s own operations, often produced away from or as a result of a
complex pathway; sometimes called secondary or induced impacts (BBOP, 2012, pp.
23–24).
Invasive alien species Invasive alien species (IAS) are species whose introduction and/or spread outside their
natural past or present distribution threaten biological diversity (Convention on Biological
Diversity, 1992).
IOC International Olympic Committee
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature
Modified habitats Areas that may contain a large proportion of plant and/or animal species of non-
native origin, and/or where human activity has substantially modified an area’s primary
ecological functions and species composition (IFC, 2012, p, 3).
Natural habitats Areas composed of viable assemblages of plant and/or animal species of largely native
origin, and/or where human activity has not essentially modified an area’s primary
ecological functions and species composition (IFC, 2012, p. 3).
Net gain of A target for a development project in which the impacts on biodiversity caused by
biodiversity or net the project are balanced or outweighed by measures taken to avoid and minimise the
positive impact for project’s impacts, to undertake on-site restoration, and finally to offset the residual
biodiversity impacts, so that no loss remains. Where the gain exceeds the loss, the terms ‘net gain’
or ‘net positive impact’ may be used instead of ‘no net loss’ (BBOP, 2012, p. 29).
NFL National Football League
NGO Non-governmental organisation
No net loss [of The point at which the project-related impacts on biodiversity are balanced by measures
biodiversity] taken to avoid and minimise the project’s impacts, to undertake on-site restoration, and
finally to offset significant residual impacts, if any, on an appropriate geographic scale
(BBOP, 2012, p. 30).
Organising An entity tasked with planning and implementing a sports event.
Committee
Overlay The temporary elements needed for an event such as seating, tents, barriers, banners,
toilets etc. They are either added to a permanent venue or used to create a temporary
one.
Positive outcome for In the context of these guidelines, going beyond mitigating the impacts of a sporting
biodiversity event so that there is no lasting harm, and taking additional steps (not necessarily linked
to the event’s impacts) to support biodiversity conservation in the host area and further
afield, into the future (also referred to as ‘leaving a positive legacy for biodiversity’).
Protected area A clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated, and managed, through
legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with
associated ecosystem services and cultural values (Dudley, 2008, p. ii).
Rain gardens Small depressions with native plantings designed to catch and infiltrate rainwater.
xii Sports and urban biodiversity

Restoration The return of an ecosystem or habitat to its original community structure, natural
complement of species, and natural functions (CBD, 2008, Biodiversity Glossary).
Semi-natural Habitats and/or landscapes that have been modified by human influence but retain many
natural features. See also modified habitats.
Significant impact An impact that is outside the limit of acceptance or may result in non-compliance with
accepted environmental quality standards, thresholds, or targets.
SOLIDEO Société de Livraison des Ouvrages Olympiques
Specialist species Species adapted to a narrow set of environmental conditions, including limited habitat
types or food resources.
Sponsor/sponsorship Sponsorship is a cash and/or value-in-kind (VIK) fee paid to a sports organisation by
a business or organisation in return for the right to associate a brand/location with the
sports event.
Sports event Any planned and organised sports competition held at a specific time and place.
Threatened species Species categorised as Critically Endangered, Endangered, or Vulnerable by The IUCN
Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM. The Red List is widely recognised as the most
comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant
and animal species (IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™).
UEFA Union of European Football Associations
Venue The place, building, site, route or structure where a sports event is held. In these
guidelines, the term is used broadly to include the land, buildings, equipment, built
infrastructure (e.g. power lines) and services needed to enable events to take place. This
includes natural sites, event routes and open waters where there are no formal venue
boundaries.
Wildlife Living, non-domesticated animals and plants (fauna and flora).
Sports and urban biodiversity xiii

1 © iStock / PapaBear
1. Introduction
Sports and cities are intrinsically intertwined, as re- habitats for many species. In recent years, scientific
flected in a multitude of indoor and outdoor sports1 research in urban ecology has provided new insight
practiced daily in urban contexts, and by sports into the specific features of the urban environment
events – local, national and international – regularly which are most relevant to biodiversity and conser-
staged in cities. vation objectives. Spaces dedicated to the practice
of sports can promote these objectives with pur-
Investing to enhance urban biodiversity provides a poseful design and management.
potential opportunity for sports to build a long-last-
ing and socially-positive legacy in cities, as spend- The urban regeneration projects that can some-
ing time in green spaces – including for outdoor times occur with large sports-driven urban planning
sports activities – has widely-demonstrated phys- efforts are rare opportunities to introduce the eco-
ical and mental health benefits for urban dwellers. logical elements critical to urban health and resil-
These benefits also enhance urban areas for ath- ience. In particular, sports fields, pitches and the ar-
letes: whether they are running, canoeing, rowing, eas around sports venues constitute an important
sailing or cycling, athletes depend on a healthy component of unpaved, preserved green space in
environment. cities, where the opportunity to increase their value
for biodiversity is significant. Many cities have ex-
The benefits associated with biodiversity-rich cities panded and grown around open sports grounds,
are numerous. Nature in urban areas contributes to leaving them as potential ecologically rich oases in
a healthier place to live by creating a barrier to noise, an urban context.
absorbing air pollutants and cooling the air during
the summer months. It creates a safer place to live This guide focuses on how existing and new sport
by providing protection from floods and landslides, venues both indoors and outdoors, as well as
and a more fun and enjoyable place to live by of- sports events of all sizes, can contribute to the res-
fering recreation, visually pleasing surroundings and toration and enhancement of biodiversity in cities
education opportunities. Bringing these benefits to by integrating specific structural and management
the urban population, which today has reached elements that will increase suitable habitats for
over 55% of the total world population, makes in- plants and animals to thrive. The guide also high-
vesting in raising the quality of urban environments lights the benefits that protected areas play in urban
a good way also to contribute simultaneously to settings and how these can be amplified by sports,
environmental and social goals, embodied by the as well as a number of tools that could be deployed
Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG to measure success.
3 and SDG 11.2 3
These initiatives do not replace the responsibility of
Nature can thrive in urban settings, especially if un- sports stakeholders to address the direct and in-
derpinned by a diversity of species and habitats, direct impacts on biodiversity associated with the
and cities can support both people and biodiversity, construction and operation of sports venues and
if they are designed and managed with conserva- sports events (Box 1). The negative impacts have
tion goals in mind. In comparison to other highly to be mitigated (avoided, minimised, restored and
human-impacted landscapes such as intensive ag- as a last resort offset) as described in the previous
riculture, cities can include diverse and functional IUCN Sport and Biodiversity guidelines, published
1 Sports venues are grouped into four main categories: i) outdoor sports taking place in the natural landscape; ii) outdoor sports
taking place in purposely modified landscapes; iii) urban sports parks; and iv) sports buildings. For a detailed description
including the type of biodiversity impacts associated to each category, please see: Mitigating biodiversity impacts of new sports
venues https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.2019.02.en
2 The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. In
particular, SDG 3 calls for “Good health and well-being” and SDG 11 calls for “Sustainable cities and communities”. See
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
3 https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300
Sports and urban biodiversity 1

Box 1. Biodiversity impacts associated to sports events and
venues
Although sport events held in urban venues or in natural landscapes can bring many benefits, they
can also negatively impact biodiversity through large numbers of spectators, who increase noise,
vibration, and lighting, produce large quantities of solid waste and wastewater, and generate traffic
that can increase pollution and road kills of wildlife. Furthermore, outdoor venues in or near urban
areas that are used for recreation and leisure activities are frequently highly managed environments.
When a sporting event is staged, there can be a significant increase in management activities, such
as increased cutting of grass, brush, undergrowth, or borders. The removal of this vegetation (e.g. cut
grass, fallen leaves, dead wood) can disrupt or destroy habitats. The application of chemical fertilisers,
pesticides, and mosquito control measures, can further affect, reduce, or limit the opportunities
for species survival in these intensively managed environments. The risks to biodiversity from both
summer and winter sporting events conducted outdoors in natural environments come from many
sources, including oil or fuel spills; solid waste generation; the use of cleaning products, pesticides
or herbicides; discharge of sewage into the water or on land; the introduction of invasive species;
noise, lighting and vibration; traffic and road kills; and the need, even temporarily, to erect fencing
and communication infrastructure, and expand and/or construct new start and finish areas, viewing
points, media points, medical stations, refuelling stations, commercial outlets to service the event,
and water reserve ponds for snowmaking. Spectators can also damage natural habitats through
the sheer numbers of people trampling the grounds. Littering, walking on non-designated paths and
into sensitive areas, and car and bike parking where not permitted can all have negative impacts on
biodiversity, such as disturbing breeding, nesting, and feeding animals. These behaviours in fragile
outdoor spaces can impact both biodiversity and habitats negatively and, in some cases, irreversibly.
The construction of sports venues – including their associated supporting facilities, infrastructure,
and services – and temporary facilities can potentially have a range of both positive and negative
impacts on biodiversity. The potential negative impacts on biodiversity from new sports venues can
arise either directly through conversion of critical or natural habitat, or indirectly through pollution
and the disturbance of wildlife. Direct impacts of new sports venues may include changes such as
physical alteration to habitats, loss of trees and other vegetation, and increased disturbance to wild
animals from people and traffic, affecting their breeding or feeding patterns and general chances of
survival. Impacts on natural drainage systems, changes to soil conditions, fragmentation of habitats,
and noise or light pollution may be less obvious effects, but can be equally detrimental to biodiversity.
The artificial lighting, noise, or vibrations that may be associated with these venues and sporting
events can disorientate animals or discourage them from staying in the area. Aside from the physical
‘footprint’ of a new sports venue, features associated with a sports venue, such as security fences,
roads, and parking lots, can create barriers to the movement of wild animals to important breeding,
watering, or feeding sites; overhead cables can present a collision or electrocution hazard to certain
bird species; and the introduction of invasive and alien species and diseases can harm or oust native
plants and animals.
Extracted from: Mitigating biodiversity impacts of new sports venues (2019) and Mitigating biodiversity
impacts of sports events (2020).
2 Sports and urban biodiversity

in 2018, which give a broad overview of the topic.4 by playing different roles in pursuing goals of biodi-
The second guide in the series, Mitigating biodiver- versity conservation and urban enhancement, help-
sity impacts of new sports venues (2019), looks at ing to overcome obstacles and challenges.
the development of new venues for sports and their
impacts on biodiversity.5 The third guide, Mitigating Local conservation organisations will play a cru-
biodiversity impacts of sports events (2020), focus- cial role for the successful implementation of these
es on ways to mitigate biodiversity impacts asso- goals. They can contribute valuable knowledge on
ciated with sports events.6 With adverse effects local biodiversity and existing resources, propose
addressed, sports stakeholders can look to the suggestions and mitigation recommendations, and
positive impacts these spaces can have on urban take the lead in implementing conservation pro-
biodiversity, which is the focus of this guide. jects. Some improvements, such as the choice of
native vegetation for landscaping, will depend on
This guide is aimed at all stakeholders who have the local context, and consultation with local ex-
a direct or indirect role in promoting sports events perts will be a necessary part of applying these
in an urban context, in particular local authorities strategies in a regionally appropriate way. Key op-
dedicated to the promotion of sports, but also sport portunities may also differ by location and can be
events owners and organisers, sports federations, identified with help from local organizations. For ex-
venue designers, developers and investors and ample, sport venues in cities along important bird
schools, universities and corporations with signifi- migration pathways may prioritize bird-safe design
cant areas of playing fields. Collaboration and part- and creation of stop-over habitat. Ideally, collabora-
nerships among these actors will greatly reinforce tions should be formed early in the planning stage,
the chance of success in bringing to life a differ- so that input from diverse partners can help shape
ent urban vision with people and nature at its core. the design of sports venues and the measures for
Diverse organisations and actors can collaborate enhancing biodiversity.
4 https://doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.CH.2018.04.en

2
4
© iStock / PomInOz

2. A framework for building urban
biodiversity
Cities are sometimes considered to have little eco- diverse types of green spaces in cities are devel-
logical value, but they can actually support substan- oped and maintained for sport events, and thus,
tial biodiversity when designed to reflect features sports, venue owners and operators, and cities
present in natural ecosystems. In a recent report, can work together as stewards of urban nature.
seven elements of urban form and function essen- While one sport venue alone can have a small im-
tial for supporting nature in cities were identified. pact on local biodiversity, the combined efforts of
Drawing on research from cities around the world, many actors can create city-wide beneficial effects.
Making Nature’s City: A Science-Based Framework Similarly, improvements focused on a single ele-
for Building Urban Biodiversity (hereafter referred ment of the Framework can have limited benefits,
to as ‘Framework’) has synthesised findings from while addressing multiple elements together can
global scientific literature and highlights the follow- create compounding positive outcomes.
ing elements: habitat patch size, connectivity across
the urban landscape, quality of the landscape ma- Local knowledge is an important part of applying
trix surrounding a habitat patch, diversity of habitats the Framework to achieve positive biodiversity out-
available, native vegetation, special resources like comes. While these elements have been shown to
water and nesting locations, and wildlife-friendly increase biodiversity in a wide range of cities, choic-
management (SFEI, 2019). es such as which native plants to include, what spe-
cial resources are most beneficial and what types of
Combined together, these elements can help cit- habitat should be added are location specific. The
ies meet the basic needs of wildlife, such as food, specific context of a sport site, such as its location
water, shelter and places to raise their young. near a busy road or existing habitat for a rare spe-
Including these elements will also allow wildlife to cies, will also determine which types of intervention
move through the urban landscape and fulfil the are most important. Consulting with local experts
needs of different life stages, maintain genetic con- can help guide interventions to be more impactful
nectivity across the landscape, and adapt to sea- in the regional context.
sonal and long-term environmental changes. Cities
with these features in place can support nature by Some elements may be easier than others for par-
providing sufficient, connected and high-quality ticular sports to address. For example, creating
habitat. While quantification of biodiversity in cities new urban habitat patches might only be feasible
can be challenging, scientific research suggests for larger-scale urban regeneration projects such as
that improvements to the seven elements in urban the development of urban sports parks. However,
areas will help promote greater diversity and abun- other elements like making small improvements to
dance of wildlife in cities. Case studies show that local habitat quality and providing special resources
they are already being implemented in many cities can be applied during retrofitting of existing sports
around the world, and that they can be readily in- facilities or by changing management practices at
corporated into the broader green infrastructure of the local scale such as around fields in municipal
cities. The benefits are not just for wildlife but also green spaces. Indoor sports venues can contribute
for cities’ ecosystem services, and include clean- to urban biodiversity improvements through the ad-
er air and water, temperature regulation, improved dition of features on the outsides of venues, such
physical and mental health, and better outdoor ex- as green roofs, planters, and living walls.
periences (Taylor & Hochuli, 2015). Thus, the seven
elements can be used to guide planning efforts and Even where events owners and organisers and
identify opportunities to support the many benefits sport federations have limited ability to make phys-
of well-functioning urban nature (Figure 1). ical infrastructure changes, such as for events held
in temporary venues, the prioritisation of the seven
Sports federations and venue owners and oper- elements when selecting urban venues and pro-
ators have a special opportunity to improve and moting conservation values during event planning
expand elements to support biodiversity. Many and staging can contribute to positive biodiversity

outcomes. With the influence that sports can have In the following sub-sections, each element of the
on city residents, sports federations and events Framework is described in detail, including how dif-
owners and organisers have the opportunity to ferent sports can apply some of the elements alone
communicate about urban biodiversity, as well as or in combination to create a positive legacy for ur-
to make physical changes to the landscapes they ban biodiversity. Each element is linked to relevant
manage (McCullough & Kellison, 2014). case studies included in section 5.
Figure 1. Elements that support urban biodiversity
Management
Special Resources
Native Vegetation
Habitat
Diversity
Matrix Quality
Connections
Patches
Source: Adapted by the authors from SFEI (2019).

Notes: These elements work at different spatial scales and overlap on the landscape to create a city that supports both people
and biodiversity.
2.1 Patch size
Patch size, or the size of a green space in a city, be found in these very large patches. Migratory and
is a fundamental determinant of how much biodi- highly-mobile species, such as songbirds, hedge-
versity a space can support (Beninde et al., 2015). hogs and bobcats, particularly benefit from bigger
Larger patches tend to have greater habitat diver- patches.
sity and larger, more resilient wildlife populations.
Green spaces over 4 hectares (10 acres or about Opportunities for sports: When choosing lo-
five and a half soccer fields) in size can support cations for new urban sporting facilities, consider
significant biodiversity and act as local biodiversity how the facility can impact patch size. Locating a
hubs. Smaller green spaces can function effective- new sports venue with biodiversity-supporting fea-
ly as habitat patches down to 0.8 ha (two acres, tures near existing green spaces can enhance the
or slightly larger than a soccer field), below which effective patch size of both the existing and new
species richness rapidly declines. Patches over 53 spaces, especially if the development site started
ha (130 acres, or about the area of 72 soccer fields) with limited biodiversity value. If remnant natural
in size can have special significance for supporting vegetation exists within the new facility boundaries,
regional biodiversity, and some species may only prioritise the preservation and expansion of these

Figure 2. Habitat patch size
SIZE: 10 to 130 acres

EXAMPLES: local parks
SUPPORT: urban-tolerant species
REGIONAL
HUBS
PATCHES LOCAL HUBS
SIZE: 2 to 10 acres
EXAMPLES: pocket parks, green roofs
SUPPORT: urban-adapted species
SIZE: >130 acres
EXAMPLES: regional parks
SUPPORT: area-sensitive species
Source: SFEI (2019, p. 25).

Notes: Small patches of 0.8–4 ha (2–10 acres) in size can support some urban-adapted species; medium- sized patches of 4–12
ha (10–130 acres) in size can support more urban-tolerant species, and large regional hubs over 12 ha (130 acres) can support the
broadest range of species.
remnant patches to increase their conservation val- Case studies:

ue. Additionally, adding a large new facility in an ur-
ban area where no green space previously existed • 5.1: Paris 2024 Planning (France)
has the potential to create an entirely new local hub • 5.2: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (United
for biodiversity, which will have compounding ben- Kingdom)
efits with increased connectivity and matrix quali- • 5.3: Le Golf National (France)
ty in the surrounding area. Balancing hardscapes • 5.4: Spring Creek Rowers (Australia)
with green landscaping, planting contiguous areas • 5.5: Vancouver Olympic Village Habitat Island
of native species, preserving native habitat where (Canada)
it exists, and employing conservation-friendly man- • 5.10: Habitat conservation at the Kenilworth
agement practices can help transform a sporting Racecourse (South Africa)
facility into a habitat patch for biodiversity.
2.2 Connections
Connectivity is one of the most important features stepping stones for mobile organisms like birds and
for preserving urban wildlife populations (Beninde et flying pollinators. In cities, buildings, hard surfaces
al., 2015). Connections are features that facilitate and vehicle traffic can present barriers to wildlife
the movement of plants or animals across the land- movement, which can lead to small, isolated and
scape and through the urban environment, such as less resilient populations. Enhancing connectivity
green corridors along waterways, minimally main- through urban spaces can especially benefit larger,
tained vegetation along railways, or strips of vegeta- wide-roaming animals, such as bobcats and din-
tion linking larger green spaces. Green roofs, living goes, species that rely on different types of habitat
walls, coordinated private garden improvements, across seasons or life stages, such as salamanders
and closely spaced parks can also increase con- and frogs, and species that are unable to move
nectivity through the urban landscape by creating across urban barriers, such as hedgehogs.

Figure 3. Features to enhance connectivity
GREEN STREETS GREENWAYS
LEVEL: Local Corridor LEVEL: Local Corridor

FUNCTION: Promote local movements FUNCTION: Promote local movements
and connect patches or and connect patches or
larger corridors larger corridors
RIPARIAN CORRIDORS WILDLIFE CROSSINGS
LEVEL: Regional Corridor LEVEL: Barrier Reducer

FUNCTION: Promote regional movement FUNCTION: Reduce road-related
across cities mortality

Notes: The suitability of these features for enhancing urban connectivity depends on the existing barriers and the species of interest.
Opportunities for sports: Urban corridors that to catch and infiltrate rainwater) along event path-
benefit biodiversity are also often preferred routes ways. Similarly, construction of new venues can
for urban sports, such as marathons and cycling include connectivity corridors as part of active
events. High-quality greenways that enhance con- mobility strategies. In addition to providing usable
nectivity across the landscape can be ideal spaces corridors for wildlife dispersal, designing attrac-
for sport, as they can have improved air quality, re- tive, healthy and shaded routes may boost venue
duced temperatures, and greater aesthetic appeal or event reputations and be especially valuable in
compared to urban roads (Livesley et al. 2016). regions subject to frequent heat waves.
They can also be part of sustainable transportation
plans for sports venues by encouraging pedestrian Case studies:
and bicycle transportation to events. In collabora-
tion with cities, landowners and local conservation • 5.1: Paris 2024 Planning (France)
groups, sporting events like road races or cycling • 5.2: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (United
events can provide a rallying point around which Kingdom)
to design improved green infrastructure, such • 5.3: Le Golf National (France)
as street trees, native plantings and rain gardens • 5.6: Stadium Green Roofs (Multiple countries)
(small depressions with native plantings designed • 5.7: Oriole Garden (United States)

2.3 Matrix quality
Matrix quality refers to the diverse, smaller habitat Opportunities for sports: Grassy playing fields
elements in the urban environment that can work dot the urban landscape and, accordingly, have sig-
together to support ecological processes, increase nificant potential to improve the overall matrix qual-
overall connectivity between green spaces and ity of a city. While playing surfaces are maintained
enhance the ability of larger patches to support for sport performance, opportunities abound at
biodiversity. Because they are smaller than patch- the periphery. Using grass rather than artificial turf
es or corridors, these elements may not support has far more potential for supporting biodiversity
large wildlife populations themselves, but they are (Francis, 2018), although this difference includes
important for the ability of wildlife to move through maintenance trade-offs as well. Reducing mowing
and forage in cities (Baum et al., 2004). Matrix ele- frequency and chemical use on lawns and grassy
ments can be aligned around patches or corridors fields to allow slightly longer grass and flowers can
to improve their value, or placed in groups to form benefit pollinators like bees and butterflies, while
habitat complexes. Some examples of features that also reducing pest problems and maintenance
improve matrix quality include street trees, green costs (Watson et al., 2019). Complementary na-
roofs, commercial landscaping and improvements tive plantings around the edges of sport fields can
to residential yards or private gardens. Flying an- further transform these spaces into pollinator hab-
imals like birds, bats and pollinating insects can itats and improve overall urban matrix quality for
especially benefit from improved matrix quality, as species like birds and bees. Strategic tree planting
can other species that are able to live in and move can shade viewing areas for spectators, while also
through cities and thus take advantage of small fa- supporting other species. Green roofs and living
vourable patches. walls on sports buildings can provide food and
Figure 4. Coordinated matrix improvements
Between patches
can increase patch
connectivity
Around patches Along corridors can

can increase the increase the effective
effective size of width of corridors
patches
Legend
Grouped between Matrix Elements

patches can create
habitat complexes that Patches
act as stepping stones
Corridors

Figure 5. Matrix improvement features
Street trees
Rain gardens
and bioswales
Bioretention
basins
Yard improvements
Green roofs

Notes: Grouped improvements can create habitat complexes that act as stepping stones between larger patches, increasing
connectivity and effective patch size.
shelter for birds and pollinators, too. Rain gardens Case studies:
in parking lots and around fields can provide fur-
ther habitat improvements, while containing run-off • 5.1: Paris 2024 Planning (France)
and improving drainage. Improving the biodiversity • 5.5: Vancouver Olympic Village Habitat Island
value of the many pitch-based sports fields in cities (Canada)
is a clear opportunity to make advances in urban • 5.6: Stadium Green Roofs (Multiple countries)
matrix quality. • 5.7: Oriole Garden (United States)
• 5.8: Tree Planting (Multiple countries)
2.4 Habitat diversity
Urban biodiversity depends on habitat diversity, in a wooded park, is also associated with greater
which refers to the type, number and spatial ar- local biodiversity. Including native habitats that are
rangement of habitats within the urban area, as well uncommon can be particularly influential for sup-
as the structural complexity of habitats. Many spe- porting specialist species, which rely exclusively on
cies need access to multiple types of habitat across a particular type of habitat and may be especial-
days, across seasons or as they move through their ly vulnerable to habitat destruction. For example,
life cycle. Therefore, landscapes with diverse habitat many species of salamanders and frogs need very
types can support greater overall biodiversity (Tews specific habitats and cannot survive without them.
et al., 2004). Fine-scale habitat diversity, such as Local experts can identify key habitat types for a
the presence of woody debris on the ground, an particular area, which may include habitats that
intermediate shrub layer and a tree canopy layer were historically present in the region.

Figure 6. Habitat diversity at different scales
Zone A
LEVEL: site scale

BENEFITS: provides habitat
heterogeneity and structure
Zone B
Zone C
Zone A
Zone C
LEVEL: landscape scale

BENEFITS: coherence and heterogeneity
at the landscape scale
Zone B

Notes: Different habitat types and structures, as shown by Zones A, B, and C, can provide an array of resources to support a variety
of species at the site and landscape scale.
Opportunities for sports: Golf courses are large can provide diverse habitats by varying the types
urban or semi-urban spaces that by design typically of landscaping used in different spaces. For exam-
contain grassy, wooded and water features. With ple, a venue might highlight different types of native
attention to how these features function for biodi- habitat in an exhibition garden, or provide a water
versity, golf courses can readily provide a range of feature near grassland and shrub habitat. Training
share habitats for urban wildlife. Some of the chal- facilities may have additional space available to
lenges for improving diverse habitats on golf cours- support a variety of natural habitats or combina-
es include decreasing chemical run-off and pond tions of native and other functional habitats, such
eutrophication to support healthy aquatic and ripar- as food gardens and playing fields.
ian habitat, and locating features like shrub patches
strategically to improve rather than hinder course Case studies:
aesthetics and playability. As with grassy playing
fields, decreased mowing frequency off the fairway • 5.1: Paris 2024 Planning (France)
can support pollinators, and unmowed wildflower • 5.2: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (United
meadows can create beautiful vistas where space Kingdom)
allows. Beyond golf courses, other sporting venues • 5.3: Le Golf National (France)

2.5 Native vegetation
Native species are those that have a long evolu- or incompatibility with landscape function, non-na-
tionary history in a particular location and so may tive species that can support pollinators, birds, and
have special relationships with other species and other wildlife should be chosen in favour of those
the local environment. As a result, urban green that provide little biodiversity benefit.
spaces with more native plants tend to support
greater biodiversity (Threlfall et al., 2017). One ex- Opportunities for sports: Sporting venues have a
ample of the unique value of native plants to sup- number of opportunities to add conservation value
port wildlife is the close relationship between North through native plants, from establishing patches of
American monarch butterflies and milkweed, which native habitat around sports venues to the use of
constitutes the sole source of food for monarch native trees to provide shade for event participants.
caterpillars. Thus, planting milkweed advances In addition to using native plants to enhance con-
conservation goals of supporting both native vege- nectivity, improve matrix quality and increase patch
tation and charismatic native butterflies. The great- diversity, sports have a unique opportunity to en-
est benefits from native plants can be gained by gage with native species as a tool to promote ed-
selecting species that are also tolerant of the ur- ucation and conservation action. Adoption of mas-
ban setting and are adaptable to predicted future cots that represent native species, especially those
climate conditions, which depend on local context that may be less known or are only found in the
and the available species native to the region. If na- event or team’s location, can increase visibility and
tive plants cannot be used due to lack of supply feelings of connection with species of conservation
Figure 7. Native plants to support wildlife
Diversity and Flowers, fruits,

abundance and nuts
Year-round resources Complementary

for wildlife plants
Source: SFEI (2019, pp. 48–49).

Notes: Diverse native plant species can provide year-round resources to support wildlife. Specialist species may depend on specific
complementary plants to meet unique needs.

concern (Sartore-Baldwin & McCullough, 2019). Case studies:
They can also provide a central focus around which
to deploy other conservation strategies, such as • 5.1: Paris 2024 Planning (France)
habitat improvements or provision of special re- • 5.2: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (United
sources. Educational campaigns hosted by sport Kingdom)
federations and event organisers can emphasise • 5.3: Le Golf National (France)
the importance of planting native species to pro- • 5.4: Spring Creek Rowers (Australia)
mote positive action by fans beyond the bounds • 5.5: Vancouver Olympic Village Habitat Island
of the venue. Fostering a local sense of connection (Canada)
can be an important goal for urban conservation, • 5.6: Stadium Green Roofs (Multiple countries)
and sports can act as an ideal institution through • 5.7: Oriole Garden (United States)
which to build connections with local nature • 5.9: Monarchs in the Rough (United States)
(McCullough & Kellison, 2016). • 5.10: Habitat conservation at the Kenilworth
Racecourse (South Africa)
• 5.11: Showcasing local biodiversity outside
Green Point Stadium (South Africa)
2.6 Special resources
Many species rely on special resources to meet function and people’s experience of a place (Stagoll
their daily needs or during particular times of the et al., 2012; Hill et al., 2017; Cox et al., 2019).
year or stages of their life cycle. These resources Some resources, such as holes in trees for cavi-
are unique habitat features in the landscape, such ty-nesting birds and woody debris piles for reptiles
as large trees, wetlands and open water. Water is and insects, are typically removed in urban environ-
necessary for nearly all species, and large trees can ments, but are important for specialist species that
have disproportionate impacts on both ecological depend on these micro-habitats. Where possible,
Figure 8. Special resources
STREAMS
PONDS
LARGE TREES
LAKES
WETLANDS

Notes: Special resources, such as large trees, ponds and wetlands, are important for a variety of species in the urban landscape.

dead trees and wood can be valuable micro-hab- want to develop strategies around these species.
itats for a wide range of species if retained on the These types of features can be added to court-
landscape. Adding features like large trees and based sporting events as well as on the exterior
water, or artificial structures approximating natural of indoor venues, where other improvements may
features like nest boxes, nesting bricks, and wood be more difficult. In wet locations, rain gardens or
piles, can support these species and increase bi- bioswales in parking lots and around fields and
odiversity in otherwise limited areas. Species in courts can contain and filter excess water, while
different areas have different special needs, which also providing habitat and resources to pollinators
local conservation experts can help identify. and wetland organisms.
Opportunities for sports: Rowing, swimming, Case studies:

canoeing and sailing events held in urban water-
ways can serve as focal points for improving water • 5.1: Paris 2024 Planning (France)
and habitat quality through the removal of invasive • 5.2: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (United
species and the restoration of river, lake, estuary or Kingdom)
harbour habitats. Enhancing the special resources • 5.3: Le Golf National (France)
provided by waterways and riparian areas can ben- • 5.5: Vancouver Olympic Village Habitat Island
efit urban biodiversity, while also improving sporting (Canada)
experiences through cleaner, more appealing ven- • 5.8: Tree Planting (Multiple countries)
ues. Providing bird boxes or materials and locations • 5.9: Monarchs in the Rough (United States)
suitable for nest-building can be popular activities, • 5.10: Habitat conservation at the Kenilworth
especially for teams with birds as mascots who Racecourse (South Africa)
2.7 Management
Improving the many ways people manage urban retrofitting and sometimes with a reduction in man-
landscape features can promote positive biodiver- agement costs. Where habitat cannot be added
sity outcomes. Management actions are many without negatively impacting other functions of an
and varied, including pesticide and herbicide use, urban location, management changes are a key
vegetation and soil maintenance, and the design opportunity to improve the value of all kinds of
of urban infrastructure. Often, beneficial chang- landscaping for biodiversity. While many manage-
es to management can be made without major ment choices are made to promote functional and
Figure 9. Management actions to support biodiversity
Downed logs Leaf litter Bird-safe windows Bird & bat nests
Limit light pollution Minimize lawns Reduce chemical inputs Support healthy soils

Notes: Management actions can support nature by removing hazards and improving habitat quality

recreational landscape uses, there are often oppor- minimised around these features. Soil health, as the
tunities for change that can meet the same goals foundation of plant communities and wildlife sup-
while positively impacting biodiversity. port, can be improved in playing fields by leaving
grass clippings in place where doing so would not
Opportunities for sports: When designing or ren- negatively impact gameplay. If clippings are col-
ovating sports facilities, architectural considerations lected, they should be disposed such that excess
for biodiversity would include installation of bird-safe nutrients from decomposing plant material do not
windows, incorporation of green roofs and use of drain into waterways. Reduced management, such
water collection features. Bird-safe window choices mowing and chemical maintenance, of sections of
can reduce fatal collisions and are an effective and golf courses and sports fields that are beyond the
simple strategy for retrofitting existing structures. main playing surfaces can both decrease mainte-
Sporting events often attract large crowds and con- nance costs and benefit biodiversity.
tinue into the night, which can impact biodiversity
via noise and light pollution. Designing spaces for Case studies:
athletic and biodiversity uses should consider these
effects, and use sound barriers, reduced lighting, or • 5.1: Paris 2024 Planning (France)
blue/green lighting where possible, and particularly • 5.2: Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (United
around features intended to attract or support wild- Kingdom)
life. Using directed lighting and avoiding light near • 5.3: Le Golf National (France)
areas intended to support wildlife, such as bird box- • 5.7: Oriole Garden (United States)
es, pollinator gardens, etc., can help light-sensitive • 5.9: Monarchs in the Rough (United States)
wildlife (Gaston et al., 2012). The value of water • 5.10: Habitat conservation at the Kenilworth
features to wildlife as a special resource or for hab- Racecourse (South Africa)
itat diversity improvement relies on management • 5.11: Showcasing local biodiversity outside
decisions about chemical inputs, which should be Green Point Stadium (South Africa)

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© Shutterstock / Ron Ellis

3. Sports and urban protected areas
Whether they are climbing cliffs, running trails or A reconnection with nature. Positive experienc-
surfing breaks, people are drawn to protected are- es in nature are known to engender a sense of eco-
as to practice a range of sports with the promise of logical connection whilst fostering pro-environmen-
excitement, adventure and beauty. Protected areas tal attitudes and behaviours (Teisl & O’Brien, 2003).
(Box 2) generate and mediate flows of ecosystem Urban protected areas are well-placed to facilitate
products and services: medicine, food, clean air such experiences, thereby building public and po-
and fresh water. In addition to buffering the effects litical support for nature conservation. For many
of climate change, such as heat stress, flash flood- people, the opportunity to participate in sports like
ing and storm surges, protected areas give mean- hiking, climbing, trail-running and kayaking serves
ing – spiritual and physical – to proud cultures and as a primary motivating factor for visiting protected
cherished places. areas and reconnecting with nature.
By virtue of their ever-increasing proximity to popu- A spotlight on sites of natural wonder. By

lation centres, urban protected areas are especial- showcasing biodiversity to event participants and
ly well placed to benefit society. Not only can they fans alike, sports practiced in natural areas can
help relieve cities from the worst effects of climate draw attention to the value and wonder of na-
change, these parks also provide relatively clean ture, as well as the threats facing it. For instance,
and restorative surroundings in which to exercise on each of its 21 stages, the 2020 Tour de France
and escape the pressures of urban life. Their con- promoted a Natura 2000 site to millions of viewers,
tribution to the physical and mental health of urban including several urban Natura 2000 sites (Tour de
people is well-documented, profound and likely to France, n.d.). Meanwhile, sports stars are actively
grow in importance. Furthermore, urban protected campaigning for a variety of conservation initiatives.
areas offer the nearest and most authentic forms Their efforts stand to benefit urban protected are-
of nature that can be readily visited by urban peo- as. Basketballer Yao Ming’s repeated calls to end
ple. In the face of rapid urbanisation, they serve as illegal wildlife trade (WildAid, n.d.), tennis player
bridges to the natural world: a means by which to Nick Kyrgios’s fundraising to aid recovery from the
experience and appreciate biodiversity, and over Australian bushfires (The Guardian, 2020), and sail-
time develop a conservation ethic (Box 3). or Hannah Mill’s ‘Big Plastic Pledge’ campaign to
beat plastic pollution (IOC, 2019) are cases in point.
Certain objectives of urban protected areas – nota- Some sports spur new and additional safeguards for
bly, to conserve native biodiversity while facilitating nature. By establishing a network of World Surfing
awareness and appreciation thereof – can strike a Reserves, each supported by a Local Stewardship
chord with the objectives of sports, unlocking pow- Council, the Save The Waves Coalition has effec-
erful synergies. The below examples are intended tively shored up protection for “outstanding waves,
to offer inspiration. While their collective scope ex- surf zones and surrounding environments around
tends far beyond the strictly urban realm, every ex- the world” (Save the Waves, n.d.). Some of the
ample does at least include urban dimensions. World Surfing Reserves including Punta De Lobos
in Chile, lie adjacent to urban areas.
Box 2. Definition of protected areas

IUCN characterises a protected area as “a clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated
and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature
with associated ecosystem services and cultural values” (Dudley, 2008). Urban protected areas are
simply those that occur within or adjacent to cities. They do not include conventional urban parks,
lawns, flowerbeds or sports fields. However, in terms of size, ecology and governance, they vary
widely and may fit within any one of IUCN’s six protected area management categories, from ‘Strict
nature reserve’ (Ia) to ‘Protected area with sustainable use of natural resources’ (VI) (Trzyna, 2013).

A powerful partner for conservation action. the work of scientists and policymakers. Some
By partnering with conservation organisations on volunteer to assist protected area managers in
the ground, sports institutions can directly contrib- carrying out essential conservation work. Through
ute towards biodiversity conservation in protected the Shedd Aquarium’s Kayak for Conservation
areas. Whether it is the National Football League programme, biodiversity experts guide volunteers
(NFL) restoring degraded coral reefs off the coast along the Chicago River (Shedd Aquarium, n.d.) as
of Key Biscayne, USA (Luscombe, 2020), the they paddle and remove litter, spotting wildlife and
International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) retrieving employing monitoring protocols to collect species
and upcycling ghost fishing nets to use at urban data. Their reports inform local conservation au-
tournaments (Good Net Project, n.d.), the 2020 thorities on the health of the river ecosystem.
Miami Superbowl Host Committee supporting
the eradication of invasive alien species in urban An essential source of revenue. It has been
protected areas such as the Florida Everglades estimated that the world’s protected areas, in-
(Luscombe, 2020), or an amateur lawn tennis club cluding urban protected areas, receive over eight
in Leicester, United Kingdom donating balls to cre- billion visits a year, generating as much as US$
ate make-shift nests for flood-stricken urban har- 600 billion of spending and US$ 250 billion in con-
vest mice (BBC, 2013), sports institutions across sumer surplus (Balmford et al., 2015). By paying
the world increasingly recognise the benefits of a entrance fees, purchasing activity permits, mak-
clean local environment and are prepared to play a ing donations, organising fundraising events and
part in protecting it. sponsoring conservation work, sports can bolster
the budgets of urban protected areas. Indeed, in
A league of passionate teams. The practice of the pursuit of funding, urban protected areas may
sport in urban protected areas increases eyes and have a distinct advantage over more remote pro-
ears on the ground to monitor wildlife and report tected areas, given their relatively high visibility and
hazards or early warning signs. Some enthusiasts visitation levels.
collect and share environmental data to support
Box 3. Addressing the pressures on urban protected areas

As they inch closer, cities subject protected areas to intensifying ‘urban edge effects’ including light
and noise pollution, air and water degradation, and the introduction of invasive species. Direct human
impacts including trampling, poaching, littering, arson and vandalism also rise sharply (McDonald et al.,
2009). Depending on where and how they are practiced, sports can have the potential to exacerbate
or ameliorate these impacts. By 2030, 40 % of protected areas are expected to lie within 50 km of a
city (McDonald et al., 2018). To remain effective in the face of such rapid urbanisation, the management
of protected areas must be reinforced and, in some cases, rethought entirely. Recognising the unique
set of challenges and opportunities facing urban protected areas, the Urban Conservation Strategies
Specialist Group of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) produced the IUCN
Urban Protected Areas Profiles and Best Practice Guidelines (Trzyna, 2014). Drawing from case
studies around the world, the guidelines offer practical tips for enhancing management effectiveness,
maximising health and educational benefits for local people, and mitigating negative ecological impacts
arising from cities. Protected area managers and sports stakeholders seeking to minimize conflict and
maximise synergy may derive much value from the guidelines.

© Holly Gallagher

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© iStock / pidjoe

4. Measuring success in building urban
biodiversity
Monitoring is an essential component of species it is especially important to pay attention to privacy
and habitat management. Without monitoring, bio- laws and ensure that data collection efforts do not
diversity trends, threats and opportunities would be infringe on the rights of citizens.
difficult to identify. Monitoring enables the effective
design and evaluation of conservation measures A good example of a biodiversity monitoring system
and can help to reveal the ecological performance established by a sports institution can be found in
of sports. With the appropriate tools at hand, mon- France where Le Golf National has partnered with
itoring the effects of sports interventions can be a the French Natural History Museum to survey hab-
positive and accessible way to both collect critical itats (section 5.3).
information and engage sports communities in un-
derstanding their environs. A wealth of tools is available to support monitoring
efforts at a range of scales. They comprise indica-
The importance of biodiversity monitoring is en- tors for assessing biodiversity, ecosystem servic-
shrined in regulatory frameworks across the world, es, governance and management, which may be
often implicitly as part of the environmental impact useful for sports institutions, land developers and
assessment (EIA) process. EIAs, which would apply city governments intent on improving urban nature.
to new venues and events, seek to identify, avoid Deciding which tool to use depends largely on the
and minimise negative environmental impacts of size and potential impact of the project in question
human activities. Monitoring can inform every step and the resources available. The below tools are
of the process: screening, scoping, impact analy- listed in the order of increasing scope, technical
sis, mitigation, reporting, review, decision-making requirements and implementation effort. Whilst pri-
and post monitoring. Detailed guidance on how to marily intended for use by city planners and envi-
mitigate the biodiversity impacts of sports events ronment agencies at the neighbourhood level up-
and new sports venues can be found in previous wards, many of the indicators that they comprise
IUCN’s Guides (Brownlie, 2019; Brownlie et al., can be readily applied at the site level.
2020)
• The IUCN Global Standard for Nature-
For monitoring biodiversity at existing venues, a based Solutions seeks to enable the con-
number of considerations are worth taking into ac- sistent and reliable scaling-up of ‘nature-based
count. Since it is not possible to observe all species solutions’ (NbS), which are defined as “actions
at a given site on a continuous basis, monitoring to protect, sustainably manage and restore
systems must be designed strategically. They must natural or modified ecosystems that address
generate sufficient volumes of reliable data at ap- societal challenges effectively and adaptive-
propriate intervals to enable credible assessment ly, simultaneously providing human well-being
of impacts and progress that can meaningfully in- and biodiversity benefits” (IUCN, 2016; IUCN,
form decision-making. Therefore, the selection and 2020). The Standard comprises eight criteria:
implementation of indicators should speak to the i) NbS effectively address societal challenges;
management objectives at a particular site and ii) design of NbS is informed by scale; iii) NbS
the potential impacts of site-level interventions. result in a net gain to biodiversity and ecosys-
Monitoring may entail traditional manual surveys or tem integrity; iv) NbS are economically viable;
make use of new technologies including low flying v) NbS are based on inclusive transparent and
drones, camera traps and genetic bar coding. empowering governance processes; vi) NbS
equitably balance trade-offs between achieve-
If the intention of a monitoring system is to identify ment of their primary goal(s) and the continued
or measure causal factors of changes in biodiversi- provision of multiple benefits; vii) NbS are man-
ty, then a broader suite of indicators may be war- aged adaptively, based on evidence; and viii)
ranted e.g. to measure human disturbance, noise, NbS are sustainable and mainstreamed with-
light and air pollution. In densely populated areas, in an appropriate jurisdictional context. The

criteria are supported by a set of indicators encourages an implementation cycle of three
and a self-assessment tool. The Standard can years. Over the past decade, the index has
be applied during the design, implementation been implemented in hundreds of cities world-
and maintenance stages to ensure the efficacy, wide. Learning from these experiences, the
quality and credibility of nature-based solutions Singapore CBI is being updated and revised in
(IUCN, 2020). view of a 2020 re-launch.
• The Singapore Index on Cities’ Biodiversity • The IUCN Urban Nature Index is composed
(CBI) is a self-assessment tool for cities to eval- of a set of indicators, metrics and methodolo-
uate and monitor the progress of their biodiver- gies to help cities understand their impacts on
sity conservation efforts against their own in- nature, set science-based targets for improve-
dividual baselines (National Parks Board, n.d.). ment, monitor progress and catalyse action.
The index contains a set of indicators divided The index addresses three spheres of ecologi-
into three categories: native biodiversity, eco- cal impact – urban, regional and global – there-
system services provided by biodiversity, and by offering a comprehensive evaluation of a
governance and management of biodiversity. It city’s ecological performance. It is intended for
is intended for use by local governments and use by local governments on an ongoing basis.

© Holly Gallagher

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© Steve Carr

5. Combining elements to support urban
biodiversity: Selected case studies from
Europe, North America, Australia and
South Africa
While each individual element in the Framework can studies from Europe, North America, Australia and
impact biodiversity in the city, the greatest positive South Africa give examples of possible achieve-
outcomes are achieved when multiple elements are ments in a limited set of contexts, especially high-in-
combined. Evaluating the current status of each come countries, but do not represent all locations,
element at a particular location can identify prior- sports, or possible opportunities.
ities for biodiversity by showing features that are
currently lacking and/or are most easily improved. These examples show how multiple elements of the
For example, a large green space surrounded by Framework can be addressed through strategic in-
dense urbanisation with low matrix quality and little terventions, revealing ways in which improvements
connectivity might benefit most from a combination to urban biodiversity elements can offer a better
of green roofs, small pollinator gardens and green sporting experience for events participants and
corridors in the surrounding area. These could be spectators alike. The interventions explored in the
placed around local sporting fields, on the roofs of case studies range from large to small, and were
training centres or along active transportation cor- often conducted with support and in collaboration
ridors accessing event venues. Alternatively, a new with local government, conservation organisations,
venue constructed in a city located along important non-profits, environmental experts, schools and/or
bird migration pathways might focus on providing museums. Some were organised and carried out
access to water, landscaping with native vegetation by individual venues or sports teams, and many
for sheltering opportunities and using bird-friendly have been supported and recognised by nation-
management practices. al or international sports federations. The poten-
tial for and the necessity of collaboration, support
The case studies described in this section illustrate and incentivisation by sports at all levels should
examples of biodiversity actions taken by a variety be considered when exploring ways to deploy the
of sports, from Olympic city planning to local pro- Framework elements.
jects at stadiums and practice facilities. These case

5.1 France – Implementation of the seven biodiversity elements in
planning for Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024
The Olympic Games development process is a sig- expand and connect local green spaces, including
nificant opportunity to build biodiversity planning the biodiversity hub at Parc Départemental Georges-
into urban revitalisation for sport. As Paris prepares Valbon. Existing and to-be-created biodiversity
to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris corridors along railways and bike paths will build
2024 (Box 4), SOLIDEO (Société de Livraison des connections for both people and nature. Within the
Ouvrages Olympiques), the agency created to de- Village itself, an ecological loop is planned to create
liver the new venues for Olympic and Paralympic a continuous green corridor through the built envi-
Games Paris 2024, is designing with the social ronment. The corridor will be several metres wide
and ecological legacy of the Games at the forefront for most of its length. In addition to building phys-
(SOLIDEO, 2019). Major re-development is planned ical connections for the movement of people and
in La Seine-Saint Denis, situated north-east of wildlife, re-development in this urban district also
Paris along the River Seine, for the new Olympic strives to build emotional and personal connections
Village. SOLIDEO aims to develop this district as between the people of La-Seine-Saint-Denis, Paris
an example of sustainable design for future devel- and the local environment.
opment, a vision that is propelled and enabled by
the upcoming Olympic Games. The realisation of Matrix quality
the Olympic works will transform the local perspec-
tive on biodiversity and show that it is possible to A striking feature of the Olympic Village will be the
re-introduce biodiversity even in dense urban areas. rooftop gardens on the majority of new buildings,
Transformative development plans include each of with the remaining rooftops used for solar panels
the seven key elements of the Framework to sup- or mixed green and solar uses. In addition to new
port biodiversity in Paris. ground-level habitat patches, the Olympic Village
aims for high matrix quality to allow movement of
Patch size wildlife and to provide habitat for smaller and more
mobile creatures like pollinators and birds. Green
New green spaces will be added to the Olympic roofs at different heights will be designed to sup-
Village, which currently lacks public open space to port different habitat types, modelled after habitats
benefit people and biodiversity. A total of approx- that might be found in nature at different elevations.
imately seven hectares of new green spaces are These green roofs will have a minimum soil depth of
planned. These are meant to serve multiple pur- 30 cm, making them able to support a wider range
poses, including offering space for biodiversity and of plant species than shallower soil depths more
also promoting physical activities and sports. The often found on green roofs. Continued greening in
goal is particularly true for the northern area of the the surrounding areas following the regional plan-
Athlete’s Plaza, which will include several thousand ning vision can further enhance matrix quality.
square metres of green space designed to play and
practice sports. A nearby regional biodiversity hub Habitat diversity
exists at Parc Départemental Georges-Valbon, a
415-hectare preserve. In addition to diverse rooftop habitats, the Olympic
Village will be designed to contain five distinct na-
Connections tive habitat types in close proximity. These habitats
are based on the local soil characteristics present
The Olympic Village will be located along the Seine in different parts of the development area, and will
River, a key ecological corridor for the region. One contain plant communities chosen to thrive in differ-
aim during re-development is to enhance the qual- ent microhabitats. The mosaic of habitat types will
ity of the existing river corridor and extend small- provide a selection of shared habitat for animals,
er habitat corridors out from the river. Planning for as well as showcasing a diversity of natural land-
the Olympic Village has included regional visions to scapes for people.

Box 4. The biodiversity vision for Paris 2024
Contribution by the Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024
Since its initial bidding to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games, Paris 2024 has been committed
to lead the fight against climate change and to preserve biodiversity.
Sports are challenged by the ecological emergency: athletes experience the degradation of their
natural playgrounds – rivers, mountains, oceans – and sports organisations are exposed to these
upheavals. In the vision of Paris 2024, sports’ incredible power of mobilisation must be on the front
line to act, and its Games offer a shared goal for addressing these challenges. All stakeholders of
Paris 2024: Organising Committee, the Olympic Buildings Delivery Authority (SOLIDEO), the Sports
Movement and public institutions have committed to organising the Olympic and Paralympic Games
of a new era; much more environmentally friendly and much more supportive.
This transformation has started with a sober Games concept. The concept of Paris 2024 is 95%
based on existing or temporary equipment where, in general, the impact on biodiversity will be limited
by the low pressure on habitats. The Olympic Aquatic Centre in Seine-Saint-Denis will be the only
new Sports equipment built for these Games. Beyond the sobriety of the concept, the Organizing
Committee has developed a specific preservation strategy to assess and manage its impacts
over 5 pillars: biodiversity and ecosystems, landscapes, environmental health, carbon footprint and
circular economy.
A vast majority of Paris 2024 venues will host events or celebrations in the heart of different cities, so
urban biodiversity is a central element. The biodiversity approach of Paris 2024 includes “remarkable
biodiversity” -to be preserved as much as possible by moving away from it- and “ordinary or daily
biodiversity” -to be preserved by integrating it as much as possible into projects and to be highlighted
in the eyes of the public.
Paris 2024 is engaged to go beyond preservation by identifying regeneration opportunities for the
urban sites serving the Games. The analysis of these opportunities will be based on the 7 elements
of the SFEI framework, and works have already started for the most emblematic equipment of the
Games: the Olympic and Paralympic Village.
Above all, a housing district was conceived that will be used as accommodation for athletes. This
ambitious project placing the preservation and development of biodiversity at the heart of its priorities
is implemented by SOLIDEO.
Native vegetation resources for wetland species, many of which are

threatened by habitat loss. Special features will be
Planting guidelines for the Olympic Village empha- added to green roofs, such as dead wood, rock
sise native species, particularly those from native piles and bug houses.
shrubland and mesophilic meadows, as well as
those which will be resilient to future climate change Management
and current urban conditions. For tree planting
along walkways and corridors, plans recommend While the development project is still in the plan-
growing 60–100% native species. ning stage, management goals and guidelines are
an important consideration for the future. Potential
Special resources conflicts between spaces for people and for nature
will be addressed in the design stage such as by
Rain gardens, with a mix of wetland species, will be including wildlife-friendly lighting to enhance night-
included in low lying areas of the Olympic Village time safety while minimising disturbance for noctur-
to capture run-off and provide cool spaces for nal animals. In other areas, improvements made for
people to enjoy. These areas also provide special people will also help support biodiversity such as a

planned noise barrier between a local expressway Useful source
and the Olympic Village. Planning also prioritises
low upkeep needs in green space and provides for Société de Livraison des Ouvrages Olympiques
some spaces without human access to support (SOLIDEO) (2019). Olympic & Paralympic
more sensitive species. Village. https://www.ouvrages-olympiques.fr/
en/home
Figure 10. Paris 2020 Olympic Village
Source: SOLIDEO
Notes: An ecological loop is planned to create connectivity through the Olympic Village between new green spaces and the
waterfront.

5.2 United Kingdom – Supporting biodiversity at the Olympic and
Paralympic Games London 2012
Biodiversity was one of five priority sustainabili- Delivery Authority, 2008, p. 4). Corridors throughout
ty themes of the Olympic and Paralympic Games the park maintain connectivity for wildlife around
London 2012. The remediation and construction of recreational facilities and development.
the site of the Olympic Park (now known as Queen
Elizabeth Olympic Park) provided for the estab- The positive attention generated by native wild-
lishment of a large urban habitat patch with 45 flower meadows in the Olympic Park during the
hectares of new wildlife habitat in addition to rec- Games inspired further naturalistic wildlife-support-
reational space for visitors (Azzali, 2017). Prior to ing features in the legacy phase of development,
redevelopment, the park site was heavily impacted and the use of temporary infrastructure during the
by invasive species and pollution from previous in- Games left space for additional features in the legacy
dustrial use, and provided few social or ecological phase. The Biodiversity Action Plan was compiled
services. In preparation for the Olympic Games, by the company for the delivery of Olympic Works
several diverse habitats were restored in the park, (Olympic Delivery Authority) to guide park man-
including grassland, scrubland and wet woodland. agement. The plan outlined joint goals of biodiver-
The park was positioned to enhance regional con- sity conservation, social well-being and economic
nectivity along the Lee River Valley by extending a welfare, emphasizing the provision of natural habi-
chain of existing green spaces from the Lee Valley tat and education of park visitors. It included a list of
Regional Park toward the River Thames (Olympic ’species aspirations’, or particular species that the
© David Stubbs
Restored wetlands at the London Olympic Park.

park aimed to support, which facilitated planning to London Legacy Development Corporation (2013).
reach specific biodiversity goals. Continued moni- Legacy Communities Scheme Biodiversity
toring has recorded six highly-protected “schedule Action Plan 2014-2019. LCS-GLB-S106-APP-
one” bird species and 91 nationally scarce inver- BAP-001-V01, August 2013. https://www.
tebrate species in the Olympic Park, as well as 7 queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/-/media/
different bat species and 20 butterfly species. lldc/sustainability-and-biodiversity/legacy-
communities-scheme-biodiversity-action-
As part of species-specific goals, the park included plan-2014-2019.ashx?la=en
special resources, such as bird and bat boxes,
amphibian ponds, dead logs for beetles, kingfish- Norris, C. (2017). Queen Elizabeth Olympic
er and sand martin nesting banks, and artificial ot- Park Biodiversity Action Plan Annual
ter holts (dens). While biodiversity provision in the Monitoring Report 2016. https://www.
Olympic Park was part of a large-scale revitalisa- queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/-/
tion project, individual elements, such as siting and media/biodiversity-action-plan-monitoring-
designing venues to maintain regional connectivity, report-2016.ashx?la=en
use of native plants in high visibility areas to attract
attention to biodiversity, and additional of special Olympic Delivery Authority (2008). Olympic
resources with particular goals in mind, could also Biodiversity Action Plan. https://www.
be applied in smaller scale projects. queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/~/media/
lldc/local%20plan/local%20plan%20
Useful sources, links and materials examination%20documents/local%20
strategy%20papers/ls4%20legacy%20
Azzali, S. (2017). ‘Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park communities%20scheme%20olympic%20
an assessment of the 2012 London Games park%20biodiversity%20action%20plan%20
Legacies’. City, Territory and Architecture 4(11). 2008.pdf
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40410-017-0066-0
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park (2020). ‘Rare
Foreign & Commonwealth Office (2010). Going for Species Found in Latest Monitoring on
Green - Parkland in the Olympic Park [video]. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park’. https://www.
https://youtu.be/4_V-NB2v6zI queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/media/
press-releases/rare-species-found-in-latest-
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (n.d.). ‘Lee monitoring-on-queen-elizabeth-olympic-park
Valley Regional Park is playing a leading role in
delivering a lasting and enduring legacy from
the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic
Games’. [website]. https://www.leevalleypark.
org.uk/en/content/cms/corporate/
london-2012-legacy/

5.3 France – Diverse habitats at Le Golf National
Sustainability and conservation are important (Munoz Vega, 2018). It supports high biodiversity
goals at Le Golf National in France, host of the an- with high habitat diversity: 10 different EUNIS-
nual French Open and the 2018 Ryder Cup, and classified habitats7 are present on the site, includ-
scheduled to host the 2022 World Amateur Team ing three rare habitats. In addition, connectivity
Championships and the 2024 Paris Olympic golf among habitats has been maintained by careful sit-
events. Located just outside of Paris at the con- ing of corridors and habitat patches throughout the
fluence of natural, industrial and urban land uses, courses to allow for wildlife movement.
the 139-hectare course extends an existing large
habitat patch and provides diverse, high-quali- Several special resources are provided in the
ty habitat in addition to the three courses on-site course as well, including amphibian hibernacula
(the championship Albatros course, the 18-hole (winter shelters), dead trees for cavity-nesting birds
parkland Aigle course and the Urba 7-hole execu- and piles of large rocks extracted during course
tive course). Original construction of the course in development which serve as habitat for lichens
early 1990 converted former intensive agricultural and which may also support nearby bats. A mix of
land with little biodiversity value into a premier sport traditional Agrostis and native Poa grasses is used
facility capable of supporting a range of species. for putting greens, with additional native grasses
The French Golf Federation and the Natural History included in un-mowed rough areas. Management
Museum collaborate to conduct biodiversity sur- practices such as reduced chemical inputs and
veys at the course and identify indicators of ecolog- maintenance of unmowed buffer areas around wa-
ical quality. They have identified more than 350 spe- ter features and habitat patches support and com-
cies during these surveys, including 13 rare species pound other biodiversity efforts.
The Albatros Course at Le Golf National.
7 For further information, please see: https://eunis.eea.europa.eu/habitats.jsp

The conservation initiatives at Le Golf National not Munoz Vega, P. (2018). GEO Certified®
only support a range of species, but also provide a Independent Verification Report. Executive
special and unique venue for golfers and spectators Summary. GEO Foundation. https://
to enjoy. The biodiversity monitoring programme sustainable.golf/assets/0005/6919/LGN_first_
established by the Natural History Museum at Le renewal_verification_PMV_2018.pdf
Golf National continues to inform management
practices and is being emulated at other courses Owen, G. (2019). ‘How the Ryder Cup
across the country. accelerated a nationwide biodiversity project’.
Published on 1 Mar. 2019. The Sustainability
Useful sources, links and materials Report [website] (1 March 2019). https://
sustainabilityreport.com/2019/03/01/how-
Le Golf National (n.d.). ‘Le Golf National retains the-ryder-cup-accelerated-a-nationwide-
GEO certified accolade’. Le Golf National biodiversity-project/
[website]. https://www.golf-national.com/en/
geo-certified/

5.4 Australia – Rowers and restoration at Spring Creek, New South
Wales
In New South Wales, Australia, members of the The effort provided opportunities to engage parents
Kinross Wolaroi School Rowing Programme of student rowers in the sport, and additional work
launched a project to restore degraded land around is planned to tie restoration efforts with school cur-
the Spring Creek reservoir. The city-owned reser- ricula and further increase the size of the high-qual-
voir, where rowers from the school come to prac- ity habitat patch around the reservoir. Removal of
tice, is separated from agricultural land by only thirsty non-native trees has lowered the demand on
a small strip of vegetation composed mostly of the drought-stressed reservoir, leaving more water
non-native and invasive plants. These plants con- to support biodiversity and rowing activities. Urban
sume more water than the native species, further river sites are often degraded, and improvement ef-
exacerbating the effects of ongoing drought con- forts like those seen at Spring Creek can have sig-
ditions, which have reduced the reservoir to 30% nificant impacts on local biodiversity. To incentivise
of its capacity. Run-off from nearby farming com- future sustainability and conservation efforts by the
promises water quality, which is a problem for local rowing community, the World Rowing Federation
rowers as well as for two endangered duck species (FISA) recognises exceptional contributions like
observed at the reservoir. In order to create a beau- the Spring Creek project with the World Rowing
tiful, healthy area for sport and high-quality habitat Sustainability Award (FISA, 2020). Furthermore,
for birds, rowers presented a restoration plan to the FISA provides rowers with guidelines to emphasise
city council for support. Following the guidance of positive biodiversity impacts in event and venue
an environmental consultant and with funding from planning through their sustainability goals (FISA,
the city, the team hosted community workdays to n.d.). In this way, the sports federation, local sports
clear invasive species from a section of the shore team, and host city can work together to support
and plant native plants. positive biodiversity outcomes.
© Tobias Wehr-Candler
Volunteers install native plants around the Spring Creek reservoir on a planting and learn-to-row day.

Useful sources, links and materials _____ (2020). ‘Custodians of the water –
Australia’s Spring Creek Regeneration Project’.
Conversation with Tobias Wehr-Candler, Kinross FISA [website] (1 January 2020). http://www.
Wolaroi School, 10 February 2020. worldrowing.com/news/custodians-the-water-
australia-spring-creek-regeneration-project
World Rowing Federation (FISA) (2019).
‘Sustainability Award finalists demonstrate _____ (n.d.). ‘FISA’s Environmental Policy’. FISA.
rowers action’. FISA [website] (6 November http://www.worldrowing.com/environment/
2019). http://www.worldrowing.com/news/ fisa-environmental-policy/
sustainability-award-finalists-demonstrate-
action

5.5 Canada – Habitat Island at the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Village
As part of the development of the Olympic Village and flying insects. In this way, re-development as-
for the Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games sociated with new construction for sport was able
Vancouver 2010, a new island was constructed to positively impact both aquatic and terrestrial bio-
in the highly urban Lower False Creek inlet to cre- diversity in a highly urban context by converting de-
ate a habitat patch for fish and other wildlife. The graded industrial land into liveable habitat for both
Olympic Village was constructed in a former industri- athletes and wildlife.
al area with degraded shoreline, high pollutant con-
centrations and low biodiversity value (Wernick et al., Useful sources, links and materials
2012). To offset an area of degraded shoreline filled
for the construction of the Olympic Village, the de- Millenium Water (2010). The Southeast False
velopers designed Habitat Island, a new island adja- Creek Olympic Village, Vancouver, BC. https://
cent to the Olympic Village site, with features includ- millenniumdevelopment.com/Olympic-Village/
ing a naturalistic shoreline and native vegetation. documents/globeAwards2010.pdf
Special resources, including intertidal habitat and
naturalised wetlands in Hinge Park, which connects Scalza, R. (2016) ‘Urban Beavers Move into
Habitat Island with the Olympic Village site, were also Vancouver’s Olympic Village’. Inside Vancouver
added to increase the biodiversity value of the area. [blogpost] (6 January 2016). https://www.
insidevancouver.ca/2016/01/06/urban-
Since its construction, these habitats have hosted beavers-move-into-vancouvers-olympic-village/
a variety of wildlife, including a pair of beavers and
their offspring (Scalza, 2016). The value of the area Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation
for biodiversity was further improved during the (2016). Biodiversity Strategy. https://
Olympic Village construction process through the parkboardmeetings.vancouver.
inclusion of green roofs on over 50% of the building ca/2016/20160201/REPORT_
footprint, improving overall matrix quality for birds BiodiversityStrategy20160201.pdf
© City of Vancouver
The constructed Habitat Island.

Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Wernick, B.G., Nikl, L.H. and Adams, M.A.
Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (2012), ‘From Brown Shore to Green Shore:
(VANOC) (2010). Vancouver 2010 Sustainability Redevelopment of the Southeast False Creek
Report 2009-10. https://stillmed.olympic.org/ lands in Vancouver, Canada’. Environmental
Documents/Reports/Official%20Past%20 Impact 162: 401–412. https://doi.org/10.2495/
Games%20Reports/Winter/2010/ENG/ EID120351
Sustainability.pdf

5.6 Multiple places – Stadiums and green roofs
Indoor sports facilities and stadiums are often lo- and mitigation of other negative impacts should
cated in highly developed areas, where there may be prioritised as well. However, in cases such as
be few habitat patches to support biodiversity Levi’s Stadium, which was constructed primari-
and where green roofs can provide important im- ly on paved land in a highly urban area, even the
provements to matrix quality. Sports facilities in addition of small features can be an improvement
the United States, such as Levi’s Stadium in Santa when combined with practices such as sustainable
Clara (National Football League), Fenway Park in sourcing and water recycling.
Boston (Major League Baseball) and St. Vincent’s
Training Center in Indianapolis (National Basketball In Vancouver, Canada, the West building of the
Association), have installed green roofs on their sta- Convention Centre, added in preparation for its
diums, either as part of the original design (Levi’s role as the Main Media Center for the Olympic
Stadium and St. Vincent’s Training Center) or as a and Paralympic Winter Games Vancouver 2010,
retrofit on an existing facility (Fenway Park). This im- installed the largest green roof in Canada. It was
provement trades unused rooftop space for green landscaped with a mix of native plants and grass-
spaces that can provide a range of benefits, includes, and also hosted four honeybee hives which
ing temperature regulation, water retention, food pollinate plants on the roof and provide honey for
production and habitat provision. Each of these the on-site kitchen (Vancouver Convention Centre,
stadiums includes food gardens as part of their n.d.). In some cities, green roofs are required on
green roof design and is used to provide some sta- new construction, where careful design can make
dium concessions and special farm-to-table men- these rooftops beautiful and useful green spac-
us. The rooftop gardens also feature sections of es. Living walls, such as the flowering wall at the
native plants to support biodiversity. Green roofs All England Lawn Tennis Club which hosts the
may form a small part of the overall built footprint Wimbledon Championship in the United Kingdom,
© AELTC/Anthony Upton
View of the No. 1 Court living wall at the Championships, Wimbledon.

can also support pollinators and other small spe- Nelson, J. (2019). ‘New ‘living wall’ at Target
cies, and present a striking visual display for Field will help batters see the ball’. Bring Me
fans (Rose, 2019). At Target Field, home of the The News [website] (7 January 2019). https://
Minnesota Twins (Major League Baseball) in the bringmethenews.com/minnesota-sports/new-
United States, a living wall provides the batter’s eye living-wall-at-target-field-will-help-batters-see-
backdrop and offers an opportunity to support bi- the-ball
odiversity (Nelson, 2019). Together, these relatively
small features can form networks of usable habitat OMNI Ecosystems (n.d.). ‘Pacers Training Facility’.
for foraging or moving through the city for flying an- OMNI Ecosystems [website]. https://www.
imals and insects, increasing urban connectivity omniecosystems.com/pacerstrainingfacility
as well as matrix quality.
Rose, M. (2019). ‘Living Wall Entry at The No.1
Useful sources, links and materials Court Wimbledon’. Biotecture [website] (21
June 2019). https://www.biotecture.uk.com/
Climate Action (2018). ‘The 5 most sustainable new-living-wall-installation-at-the-no-1-court-
sports venues in the world’. Climate wimbledon/
Action [website] (4 January 2018). http://
www.climateaction.org/news/the-5-most- StormwateReport (2019). ‘Target Field, home
sustainable-sports-venues-in-the-world of the Minnesota Twins, unveils plans for
enormous ‘living wall’’. StormwateReport
Greenroofs.com (n.d.). ‘Vancouver Convention [website] (1 February 2019). https://stormwater.
Centre Expansion Project’. Greenroofs. wef.org/2019/02/target-field-home-of-
com [website]. https://www.greenroofs. minnesota-twins-unveils-plans-for-enormous-
com/projects/vancouver-convention-centre- living-wall/
expansion-project/
Vancouver Convention Centre (n.d.). ‘Functional,
_____ (n.d.). ‘Fenway Farms’. Greenroofs.com Beautiful and ‘Green’’. Vancouver Convention
[website]. https://www.greenroofs.com/ Centre Sustainability [website]. https://www.
projects/fenway-farms/ vancouverconventioncentre.com/about-us/
sustainability
Levi’s Stadium (2016). Behind the Scenes of
Levi’s Stadium’s Sustainability. Levi’s Stadium Velazquez, L. (2019). ‘Levi’s Stadium Greenroof
[website] (22 June 2016). https://www. & Rooftop Farm’. Greenroofs.com Featured
levisstadium.com/2016/06/behind-the-scenes- Projects [website] (30 September 2019).
of-levis-stadiums-sustainability/ https://www.greenroofs.com/2019/09/30/
featured-project-levis-stadium/
NBA and Warner Media (2017). Pacers, St.
Vincent Unveil St. Vincent Center. National
Basket Association [website] (24 August
2017). https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/
pacers-st-vincent-unveil-st-vincent-center

5.7 United States – Oriole Garden at Camden Yards
In collaboration with American Major League space for fans to enjoy. It is one part of the sustain-
Baseball’s Baltimore Orioles and Maryland Stadium ability agenda for the Maryland
Authority, the National Wildlife Federation and
National Aquarium designed and installed the Useful sources, links and materials
Oriole Garden focused on the native bird who
serves as the team mascot, the Baltimore oriole Communication with Holly Gallagher, National
(Icterus galbula). The garden was established in Wildlife Federation, 31 January 2020.
2016 at the Maryland Stadium Authority’s Oriole
Park at Camden Yards Sports Complex in down- M&T Bank Stadium (n.d.). ‘M&T Bank Stadium
town Baltimore, Maryland. It is located near the Information’. M&T Bank Stadium [website].
stadium entrance, where it can be enjoyed by fans, https://www.baltimoreravens.com/stadium/
athletes and employees. The garden covers over information
10,000 square feet and includes more than 30 spe-
cies of perennial native plants, which attract polli- Major League Baseball (2016). ‘The NWF and the
nators, butterflies and birds, including the Baltimore Baltimore Orioles dedicate new Oriole Garden
oriole (National Wildlife Federation, n.d.). In addition at Camden Yards’. Major League Baseball
to benefiting wildlife, the garden also serves as a [website] (26 May 2016). https://www.mlb.
demonstration space to show visitors an example com/official-information/terms-of-use
of Maryland native plant landscaping. The stadi-
um itself is located less than a mile from two other National Wildlife Federation (NWF) (n.d.). ‘Oriole
large green spaces (M&T Bank Stadium and Carroll Garden at Camden Yards’. NWF [website].
Park), and thus greening efforts on the Oriole Park https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/
grounds can improve matrix quality and connec- Create/Real-Wildlife-Habitat-Gardens/
tivity in conjunction with other local green spaces. Oriole-Garden
In addition to featuring native gardens to support
wildlife, both Oriole Park and M&T Bank Stadium _____ (n.d.). ‘Oriole Garden Fact Sheet’. NWF
are LEED Gold certified (M&T Bank Stadium, n.d.; [website]. https://www.nwf.org/~/media/PDFs/
U.S. Green Building Council, 2018). This includes Regional/Chesapeake/Oriole-Garden-Fact-
integrated pest management practices to reduce Sheet-2016.ashx
chemical inputs and run-off, which have detrimen-
tal impacts on nearby Chesapeake Bay. The native U.S. Green Building Council (2018). ‘Orioles Park’.
plant garden at Oriole Park has co-benefits of pro- USGBC [website]. https://www.usgbc.org/
moting team spirit, providing habitat for orioles and projects/orioles-park?view=scorecard
other birds and insects, and creating a beautiful
A Baltimore oriole, the team mascot that a stadiumgarden Volunteers help plant native vegetation at the Oriole Garden.
was designed to support. © Shutterstock © Carolyn Millard

5.8 Multiple places – Sports and tree planting
Tree planting is one of the most common biodiversi- While some of these initiatives have goals of off-
ty-related efforts made in conjunction with sporting setting carbon emissions and aiding reforestation in
events. Examples include tree planting by European rural areas, relatively small tree planting efforts can
Athletics in association with the Lisbon Cross be impactful in urban environments where trees can
Country Championships to symbolise participating provide valuable shade and air quality benefits to
nations and the extensive planting effort by UEFA to people while supporting local ecology. Large urban
plant trees in 12 host countries for the 2020 EURO trees act as special resources for biodiversity and
Tournament. Several sports teams have launched improve quality of life for urban residents. In addi-
initiatives to plant trees associated with their specific tion, urban trees can help improve matrix quality
goals: Twigs for Twigs by the Montreal Canadiens, by greening the urban environment. Continued tree
who plant 10 trees for every hockey stick broken in care is essential in order to ensure lasting positive
a game; Trees for Threes in which trees are plant- legacies, thus collaborations and funding for main-
ed for every three point basket scored by profes- tenance should be secured at the time of planting.
sional American basketball teams, including the Many sports teams have formed partnerships with
Milwaukee Bucks and the Dallas Mavericks, as well local tree planting non-profits, cities and schools to
as college teams at Xavier University and University provide trees where they are needed most, choose
of Louisiana at Lafayette; and Break a Bat, Plant the most appropriate trees for a particular location
a Tree in which American baseball teams, such as and establish plans for ongoing stewardship of new
the Arizona Diamondbacks, support tree planting trees.
goals every time the pitcher breaks the bat of an
opposing player.
© Erica Spotswood
A Valley Oak tree providing shade and resources in the urban environment.

Useful sources, links and materials Montreal Canadiens (n.d.). Montreal Canadiens
[website]. https://www.nhl.com/canadiens/
Arizona Diamondbacks (n.d.). ‘Break a Bat, Plant community/goal-is-green
a Tree’. Arizona Diamondbacks [website].
https://www.mlb.com/dbacks/community/ NASCAR (n.d.). ‘NASCAR Takes Root: The
partner-outreach-impact/plant-a-tree Largest Tree-Planting Program in Sports
Continues to Grow’. NASCAR [website].
Daily Advertiser (2019). ‘Shooting 3’s, planting https://green.nascar.com/news-media/nascar-
trees: UL basketball points lead to more trees takes-root-the-largest-tree-planting-program-
on campus’. Daily Advertiser [website] (12 in-sports-continues-to-grow/
December 2019). https://eu.theadvertiser.com/
story/news/local/2019/02/07/ragin-cajuns- Xavier University (2018). ‘Formica Corporation
basketball-trees-for-threes/2801659002/ and Xavier Basketball Extend Threes for
Trees Program’. Xavier University [website]
European Football Association (UEFA) (2019). (7 November 2018). https://goxavier.com/
UEFA announces climate action for EURO news/2018/11/7/mens-basketball-formica-
2020. UEFA [website] (24 September 2019). corporation-and-xavier-basketball-extend-
https://www.uefa.com/insideuefa/social- threes-for-trees-program.aspx
responsibility/news/0255-0f8e700075c4-
61482c5c5c8b-1000--uefa-announces-
climate-action-for-euro-2020/?referrer=%2Finsi
deuefa%2Fnews%2Fnewsid%3D2625426

5.9 United States – Monarchs in the rough on golf courses
The United States Golf Association (USGA) has The USGA promotes biodiversity conservation ef-
supported and encouraged the expansion of mini- forts at courses by supporting research and the
mally-managed green spaces outside of playing ar- distribution of resources, such as seed and care
eas on golf courses. The conversion of unused are- information through media, individual consulting
as in the rough into spaces with native vegetation services and external programmes. Additionally,
has a number of ecological, economic and aesthet- the USGA has cultivated partnerships with oth-
ic benefits. Through the Monarchs in the Rough er organisations such as Audubon International,
program, the USGA encourages the development which supports and informs scientific guidelines
of monarch butterfly and overall pollinator habitat and recognises success by designating golf cours-
by providing golf course managers with milkweed es as Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuaries,
(a special resource for monarch butterflies) and if they meet a set of environmental management
wildflower seeds to convert one acre of land into criteria. Certification can come with economic ben-
pollinator habitat. Reduced management in the efits: research has found a price premium for golf
forms of water, fertilizer and pesticide applications courses certified as wildlife sanctuaries (Limehouse
helps maintain habitat quality while also reducing et al., 2010). Positive examples and best practice
costs for venues owners and operators. Golfers en- guidelines are collected and distributed through
joy experiencing natural habitats, particularly when in-person consulting, online and through the Green
signage is provided to explain the benefits of alter- Section Record, a regular USGA publication giving
native management actions for wildlife, as well as course managers specific guidance on appropriate
materials signalling the importance a course places actions to take and how to avoid problems en-
on sustainability and biodiversity protection, can countered by other managers when implementing
have reputational benefits. changes to support nature (USGA, n.d.).
A monarch butterfly on a milkweed plant. © Shutterstock Golf courses can incorporate natural vegetation in out-of-play
areas. © Shutterstock

Useful sources, links and materials Monarchs in the Rough (n.d.). ‘The monarch
butterfly is a wonder of the world’.
Audubon International (n.d.). ‘Audubon Monarchs in the Rough [website]. https://
Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf’. monarchsintherough.org/
Audubon International [website]. https://
auduboninternational.org/acsp-for-golf/ United States Golf Association (USGA) (2017).
‘Best Management Practice Case Studies’.
Dobbs, E.K. and Potter, D.A. (2015). ‘Forging USGA [website]. https://www.usga.org/
Natural Links with Golf Courses’. American content/usga/home-page/course-care/water-
Entomologist 61: 116–123. https://doi. resource-center/bmp-case-studies.html
org/10.1093/ae/tmv021
United States Golf Association (USGA) (n.d.).
Limehouse, F.F., Melvin, P.C. and McCormick, ‘USGA Green Section Record’. USGA
R.E. (2010). ‘The Demand for Environmental [website]. https://www.usga.org/course-care/
Quality: An Application of Hedonic green-section-record.html
Pricing in Golf’. Journal of Sports
Economics 11(3): 261–286. https://doi.
org/10.1177%2F1527002509337801

5.10 South Africa – Habitat conservation at the Kenilworth
Racecourse
The Kenilworth Racecourse is a well-established Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area.

horse racing venue in Cape Town, South Africa, https://krca.co.za/
which has been functioning for over 130 years.
The 52 ha interior area of the track has been pre- Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area. 2014.
served since the course was developed and is now Open Green Map. https://www.opengreenmap.
a protected patch of rare fynbos habitat. Fynbos, org/greenmap/cape-town-green-map/
meaning ‘fine bush’ in Afrikaans, is one of the kenilworth-racecourse-conservation-area-3245
Cape Floristic Region most important habitats.
Access to this patch is strictly limited to manage Anderson, P. M. L., Avlonitis, G., & Ernstson, H.
it as a high-quality conservation area, protected by 2014. Ecological outcomes of civic and expert-
the surrounding racetrack infrastructure. Over 300 led urban greening projects using indigenous
native plant species, including several threatened plant species in Cape Town, South Africa.
species, live within the reserve and support a range Landscape and Urban Planning, 127, 104-113.
of animal communities. Sixteen wetlands provide
special resources to amphibians. Poulsen, Z. Kenilworth Racecourse:
Refuge for a flora on the edge.
Useful sources, links and materials https://www.capetownbotanist.com/
kenilworth-racecourse-refuge-for-flora/
Kenilworth Racecourse. http://itsarush.co.za/
kenilworth-racecourse/
© Dreamstime
The Kenilworth Racecourse.

5.11 South Africa – Showcasing local biodiversity outside Cape Town
Stadium
Green Point Park in Cape Town, South Africa is Useful sources, links and materials
a recreational green space redesigned as part of
the construction of the Cape Town Stadium ahead Biodiversity Showcase Garden in Green Point,
of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Within this park, the Cape Town
Biodiversity Showcase Garden was designed as
an educational demonstration garden to highlight World Cup Legacy - Green Point Park, Cape
the unique fynbos habitat historically found in the Town. https://www.southafrica.net/gl/en/travel/
Cape Town region. This garden was developed to article/world-cup-legacy-green-point
show the use of native plants in landscaping and to park-cape-town
emphasize the diversity of species native to Cape
Town ecosystems. Green Point Park is primarily Krasny, M.E., C. Lundholm, S. Shava, E. Lee,
managed for recreational and social benefits rather and H. Kobori. 2013. Urban Landscapes
than for wildlife; however, the use of native plants, as Learning Arenas for Biodiversity and
interactive signage, and artistic representation of lo- Ecosystem Services Management. T. Elmqvist
cal animals fills the important role of educating vis- et al. (eds.), Urbanization, Biodiversity
itors about the natural ecosystem and connecting and Ecosystem Services: Challenges and
them with the local environment. Opportunities: A Global Assessment, DOI
10.1007/978-94-007-7088-1_30
© Dreamstime
Green Point Park at the Cape Town Stadium.

6
46
© iStock / dies-irae

6. Conclusions – Every little action counts
The loss of biodiversity, with around one million an- – even in urban contexts – sports can be an impor-
imal and plant species threatened with extinction, tant ally in addressing the biodiversity crisis.
is risking our economies, livelihoods, food security,
health and quality of life worldwide. Diverse and in- In this context, sports stakeholders – from event
novative measures are needed to halt and reverse owners, venue owners and operators and local or-
this decline and to restore where possible what has ganising committees – can and should play a role
been lost (IPBES, 2019), and specifically investing in enhancing urban biodiversity, after having effec-
in nature and nature-based solutions has to be- tively mitigated their direct and indirect impacts on
come the norm if we want to successfully address nature.
the ecological crisis we are currently experiencing.
The magnitude of the challenge calls for the collab- Small actions (Box 5), implemented at the venue
oration and contribution of all actors, including non- level, can make a difference – whether it is plant-
state actors, such as businesses, local authorities, ing native trees, choosing the right management
civil society organisations and individual citizens. regime, providing bird-nests or materials for birds
Everybody can play a role, and every little action to build their own nests. These actions, if integrated
can count. in a larger vision, can deliver systemic outcomes,
especially if event owners, venue owners and oper-
This Guide has been written to inspire increased ators, and local organising committees collaborate
collaboration between local authorities and sports with city authorities. Using sport events as leverage
stakeholders. The use of nature in cities to enhance for urban regeneration initiatives can offer venues
the quality of life will benefit both urban residents and sports events an opportunity to integrate nat-
and athletes in urban areas, transforming invest- ural features and mobilise sports fans in becoming
ments to a win-win situation. Even a small ‘element’ ‘nature’ fans.
can make a difference, especially if integrated in
a larger, long-term vision of urban regeneration The benefits of these actions can be compounded
through nature. Furthermore, the need to obtain through partnerships. Cooperation and partner-
the full support of local communities for mega-sport ships between sport ground managers and con-
events is an opportunity for local authorities and servation bodies should be also proactively pur-
sports events owners and event organisers to align sued for their great value added from a technical
the proposed events with social priorities, thus and social perspectives. Furthermore, partnerships
leaving positive legacies to the host cities. aimed at creating shared management approach-
es between different sport venues as well as be-
Sports event owners, venue owners and operators tween sport venues and non-sport greenspaces
and local organising committees can help create would also expand the potential biodiversity con-
a positive narrative of how sports can contribute servation outcomes of the initiatives taken by sport
to biodiversity conservation and demonstrate that stakeholders.

Box 5. Every little action counts. An overview of actions to
promote biodiversity in cities associated to sports events and
venues
Sports event owners, venue owners and operators and local organising committees can start with a
number of actions to promote biodiversity in cities. When building a new venue, renovating an existing
space or planning an event, consider the following features in addition to the effective mitigation of the
negative impacts associated to the sport venue or event:
Patch size:
• Preserve and conserve existing natural vegetation within sport venues
• Create venues in areas where little green space exists
Connections:
• Take advantage of marathons and cycling events to improve green infrastructure along the route,
such as street trees
• Develop green active mobility corridors around venues
Matrix quality:
• Use grass rather than artificial turf
• Install native plants around sport venues and fields
• Add green roofs and living walls on sport buildings
Habitat diversity:
• Include multiple habitat types around venues, such as water features, meadows and shrubs
• Develop vegetated patches with multiple layers, such as grass, shrubs and tree canopy
Native vegetation:
• Choose native plants for outdoor landscaping
• Remove invasive species, especially along waterways
• Select native species as mascots
• Organise education events to connect fans with native species
Special resources:
• Install bird boxes or materials suitable for nest-building
• Create rain gardens in parking lots and around fields and courts
• Create wildflower meadows and gardens for pollinators
• Retain dead trees, fallen logs and leaf litter where possible
Management:
• Install bird safe windows
• Reduce night time lighting where possible and use wildlife friendly lighting where necessary
• Reduce mowing and chemical input on or around the edges of maintained lawns

© FIVB

© iStock / Dariusz Gryczka

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Available at: www.ifc.org/ps6

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Sports and urban biodiversity

A framework for achieving mutual

INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE

Published by: IUCN, Gland, Switzerland

ISBN: 978-2-8317-2078-4 (PDF)

Cover photo: © Shutterstock / Josef Hanus

Edited by: Diwata Hunziker

Layout by: Imre Sebestyén jr / Unit Graphics

Available from: IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)

2 A framework for building urban biodiversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3 Sports and urban protected areas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

4 Measuring success in building urban biodiversity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

5 Combining elements to support urban biodiversity:

6 Conclusions – Every little action counts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Sports and urban biodiversity iii

iv Sports and urban biodiversity

vi Sports and urban biodiversity

Sports and urban biodiversity vii

viii Sports and urban biodiversity

© iStock / Orietta Gaspari

Sports and urban biodiversity ix

Contributors of case studies

x Sports and urban biodiversity

Sports and urban biodiversity xi

xii Sports and urban biodiversity

Sports and urban biodiversity xiii

Sports and urban biodiversity 1

2 Sports and urban biodiversity

Sports and urban biodiversity 3

Sports and urban biodiversity

Sports and urban biodiversity 5

Figure 1. Elements that support urban biodiversity

Source: Adapted by the authors from SFEI (2019).

2.1 Patch size

6 Sports and urban biodiversity

SIZE: 10 to 130 acres

PATCHES LOCAL HUBS

Source: SFEI (2019, p. 25).

remnant patches to increase their conservation val- Case studies:

Sports and urban biodiversity 7

GREEN STREETS GREENWAYS

LEVEL: Local Corridor LEVEL: Local Corridor

RIPARIAN CORRIDORS WILDLIFE CROSSINGS

LEVEL: Regional Corridor LEVEL: Barrier Reducer

Source: SFEI (2019, p. 31).

8 Sports and urban biodiversity

Figure 4. Coordinated matrix improvements

Around patches Along corridors can

Grouped between Matrix Elements

Source: SFEI (2019, p. 37).

Sports and urban biodiversity 9

Source: SFEI (2019, p. 37).

2.4 Habitat diversity

10 Sports and urban biodiversity

LEVEL: site scale

LEVEL: landscape scale

Source: SFEI (2019, p. 40).

Sports and urban biodiversity 11