Different types of animals, plants, bacteria and fungi live together in communities, called ecosystems. Humans are also part of ecosystems despite sometimes feeling separate from them.
All life is connected, so when species disappear at a fast rate, our entire planet feels the impact.
Cool Boulder is a campaign that equips people with the knowledge and tools needed to take affordable, impactful climate action. From neighbors to nonprofits, the campaign connects a network of local leaders excited to create a climate resilient future for all.
Species are disappearing at a startling rate, and their extinction has an enormous impact on the future of our planet. The loss of just one species can affect the well-being of others in the ecosystem. Eventually, this can cause an ecosystem to fall apart.
Ecosystems provide life support to the entire planet. They grow nutritious food, clean air and drinking water, control pests, create healthy soils and regulate our climate. When ecosystems collapse, these life-sustaining services are lost with them.
When humans transform land and sea into buildings, roads, factory farms and fisheries, we push species out of their homes and closer to extinction. Our global food system is the leading driver of biodiversity loss – agriculture threatens 86% of the species at risk of extinction. Rethinking how we grow, process and transport our food is a critical part of protecting nature.
Rising global temperatures impact living systems across the globe. Sensitive ecosystems, like Colorado’s alpine forests, are most vulnerable to hotter temperatures.
Plants and animals that are introduced to areas where they aren’t naturally found may outcompete native species for food, space and other resources. This can harm native species and change habitats.
Pesticides, plastics and other pollutants turn up in our soils, air and waterways. These substances are contributing to the collapse of insect, marine and plant populations.
Forests have been clear-cut, rivers are drying up and overworked soils are struggling to support life. Finding sustainable ways to use natural resources is critical to preserving life on our planet.
Although biodiversity loss is a global crisis, Boulder and other cities play an important role in protecting the living world. Healing ecosystems happens at the local level, and cities are starting to work together to restore these systems across the globe.
The city runs programs to encourage the growth of pollinator habitats throughout Boulder. These pollinator pathways are corridors of diverse plants that cool temperatures and foster biodiversity, especially for native pollinators. Expanding an interconnected network of these corridors on both public and private land provides important habitat for many bird and insect species. They also absorb carbon and water, helping us reduce the impacts of extreme heat.
We are committed to maintaining a healthy, safe urban forest that covers our city with a connected tree canopy. Forests provide important habitat for birds, insects, rodents and other life that rely on trees as a source of food and shelter. They also create shade and keep water in our landscape, which helps cool neighborhoods on hot days. Through plantings and maintenance, the city and its partners are taking care of existing trees and growing new ones.
Dig into this work and the connection between trees and heat on our Cooling Our Community web guide.
We are working to bring life back into our soils by turning our food scraps into nutrient-rich compost and our fallen tree branches into biochar. Living soils hold more carbon, water and heat, thereby helping to keep our city cool and prevent dangerous flooding.
Join the effort: help us make clean compost.
The city's Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) manages land home to a wide variety of wildlife and native plants. Wetlands, creeks and floodplains running through these tracts of land also absorb, slow and store rain. This decreases the severity of floods and creates habitat for wildlife and plant species dependent on wet habitats.
In order to be resilient, we need the entire community working together – across households, neighborhoods, private and public sectors – to address climate change. In 2022, the city launched Cool Boulder, a next step in the city's effort to grow local, connected climate action. The campaign coordinates the many climate efforts already taking place in the community and equips people with tools to take affordable actions that have a big impact when done collectively.
Check out Cool Boulder's website for climate action opportunities.
Colorado native plants are beautiful, adapted to our climate and soils, save water, and provide food and homes for local pollinators. If you’re new to native plant gardening, you don’t need to wait to install a pollinator garden – add a few native plants to your yard now to get your feet wet.
Cool Boulder's Pollinator Advocates program trains community members on how to create biodiverse, predominantly native plant habitats for a variety of local pollinators. Learn more and register for the next free training on Cool Boulder’s website.
Landscape with waterwise plants and native grasses that don't require much water. The city also offers a free irrigation audit and a rebate program for replacing bluegrass lawn with waterwise plants.
Feeling ambitious? Plant a rain garden. Get inspired by the Colorado Stormwater Center’s planting designs and other rain garden resources.
We’re counting on you to help us create nutrient-rich compost that nourishes local soils and ecosystems. Learn what goes into your curbside bin.
The PLAY Boulder Foundation offers a series of trainings, called the Tree Tenders program, that educate and empower community members to take care of local trees. Learn more and sign up for Tree Tender trainings on PLAY Boulder’s website. Also be sure to check out the city’s guide to Tree Planting, Care and Watering.
Every year, Boulder's Forestry team joins with the PLAY Boulder Foundation and Cool Boulder to sell trees. Trees are grown locally and are well-suited for Boulder’s climate. Check PLAY Boulder and Cool Boulder’s websites for the latest information.
Cool Boulder partners host fun events and community science opportunities each month. Keep up to-date by checking out their shared calendar.
We must fundamentally shift our relationship with the living world if we want to successfully address the climate and biodiversity crises. This starts with getting outside, reconnecting with nature, and taking actions that help protect local biodiversity and build community. The more we pay attention to the living world around us, the more curious, compassionate and appreciative we become. We must welcome life into our yards and support the living systems that support us.
