San Antonio is proud to join nine other cities, towns, and counties as United States Pioneers to the CitiesWithNature platform, an initiative of ICLEI, International Council for Local Environmental Issues.  Through the international network, each will be sharing policies, plans and committed actions to protect nature, prioritize nature-based solutions to climate change, account for ecosystem services and make sure residents in their communities have easy access to nature and the outdoors. The U.S. Pioneers include:

City of Buffalo, NY, City of Fort Collins, CO, City of Holland, MI, City of Los Angeles, CA; Orange County, FL; City of Orlando, FL; City of Pittsburgh, PA; City of San Antonio, TX; Santa Fe County, NM; City of Urbana, IL.

“Established on the banks of the San Antonio River over 300 years ago, our city continues to thrive by respecting our abundant natural resources,” says Mayor Ron Nirenberg.  “We have a record of prioritizing investments that elevate and regenerate the beauty and livability of our community as well as protecting the native species, air, water and land that sustain us.  Examples include establishing the Bracken Cave Preserve, home to the largest bat colony in the world; committing to the Mayor’s Monarch Pledge to support pollinators who migrate through our area twice each year; and conserving land over the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, our primary source of drinking water.  We know that caring for nature is essential to a sustainable future, and we have prioritized biodiversity, green infrastructure and healthy ecosystems in our SA Climate Ready, Climate Action & Adaptation Plan.  Naturally, we celebrate this initiative and look forward to working together as stewards of our planet.”

Real more about U.S. Pioneers to CitiesWithNature here>>