609.1 At the time of initial European settlement, Washington, DC was home to species as diverse as buffalo, bear, sturgeon, cranes, rattlesnakes, wolves, and bobcats. While these animals were killed off or driven from the local landscape decades ago, Washington, DC continues to provide habitat for hundreds of species of birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates. Raccoon, red foxes, rabbits, white-tailed deer, cardinals, and mockingbirds have adapted to human activities and are not uncommon. Much of Washington, DC's biodiversity can be attributed to undeveloped natural areas along Rock Creek, the two rivers, and the Civil War defenses of Washington, also known as the Fort Circle Parks. The District's parks, street trees, institutional lands, and backyards are important to sustaining wildlife diversity. Many commercial and residential neighborhoods, as well as the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, are located adjacent to permanently protected natural areas. The close proximity between developed areas and undeveloped habitats creates a dynamic between wildlife and habitat conservation and human activity.

609.2 District government is committed to protecting Washington, DC's natural areas while also providing all residents with convenient access to nature and green places. Pursuant to federal law, DOEE's Fisheries and Wildlife Division prepared a Wildlife Action Plan in 2005, with a comprehensive update in 2015. The plan—which was prepared in partnership with public and local wildlife agencies and organizations to identify priority actions for conserving wildlife and wildlife habitats over the next 10 years—lists the animal wildlife in the District with the greatest conservation needs and describes specific terrestrial and aquatic threats. As an urban area, Washington, DC bears a high degree of responsibility for conserving urban species.

609.3 In 2016, Washington, DC adopted the Fisheries and Wildlife Omnibus Amendment Act to help protect critical wildlife habitats and better manage invasive species. The District's State Wildlife Action Plan, last updated in 2015, is a comprehensive, 10-year road map for sustaining, conserving, and preserving Washington, DC's wildlife and habitats.

609.4 Policy E-2.5.1: Habitat Restoration Encourage interagency efforts to restore native habitat in Washington, DC's rivers, streams, forests, meadows, wetlands, parklands, and developed lands, and encourage public-private partnerships and partnerships with nongovernmental organizations to re-create native habitats within the District. Where appropriate, designate critical areas for protection within Washington, DC.

609.5 Policy E-2.5.2: Protected Species As required by the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973, protect endangered,

threatened, and other special status species from the adverse effects of human activities.

609.6 Policy E-2.5.3: Habitat Management on Private Land Encourage environmentally sound landscaping and gardening techniques by District homeowners and institutional landowners, and on federal lands to maximize the habitat value of privately owned and federal land. Such techniques should include reduction of herbicide and pesticide use; the selection of disease-resistant, drought-resistant, and native species; the removal of invasive plants; the use of rain gardens to reduce runoff; and landscaping that provides food and cover for wildlife.

609.7 Policy E-2.5.4: Conserve Critical Areas Preserve, conserve, or enhance the environmental function and value of critical areas—including areas containing species of local importance, critical aquifer recharge areas, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, frequently flooded areas, and wetlands—while balancing the needs of a growing District.

609.8 Policy E-2.5.5: Manage Invasive Species Support approaches that limit the spread of invasive plants, animals, and other organisms that threaten wildlife and wildlife habitats.

609.9 Policy E-2.5.6 Ecosystem Services and Nature-Based Design Support and encourage ecosystem services and nature-based design related to air and water quality, noise reduction, flood risk reduction, native habitat re-creation, and food supply, among others.

609.9a Text Box: Ecosystem Services and Nature-Based Design Ecosystem services are the benefits that humans freely gain from the natural environment and from properly functioning ecosystems. Such ecosystems include agroecosystems, forest ecosystems, grassland ecosystems, and aquatic ecosystems. Collectively, these benefits are known as ecosystem services and are often integral to the provisioning of clean drinking water, the decomposition of waste, and the natural pollination of crops and other plants.

609.9b Nature-based design elements can include a visual connection with nature, the presence of water, the use of natural materials, and incorporation of dynamic and diffuse light. These elements can provide humans with physical health and mental health benefits, as well as other benefits.

609.9c Project examples include but are not limited to green roofs or farms, green facades (e.g., vertical gardens), GI projects, net-zero or net-positive energy-use buildings, and use of alternative energy sources.

609.10 Policy E-2.5.7: Meadow Habitats Create meadow habitats by converting large, contiguous mowed areas to native meadows and/or shrub habitats where feasible. Reduce mowed grassy areas in road and highway rights-of-way and on District-owned property by converting those areas to meadows with native plants and small trees. The design of these areas should balance habitat enhancement with public safety, including vehicle and pedestrian sightlines.609.11 Action E-2.5.A: Implementation of the Wildlife Action Plan Implement the 2015 Wildlife Management Plan, including programs to increase meadow habitats in the District, restore tidal wetlands, propagate native plants, and create vernal pools, artificial nesting structures, wildlife crossings and corridors, and resident science projects.609.12 Action E-2.5.B: Data Improvements Improve the collection and monitoring of data on plant and animal life within Washington, DC, particularly data on rare, endangered, threatened, and candidate species, and species of greatest conservation need.609.13 Action E-2.5.C: Pollinator Pathways Create pollinator pathways and other contiguous habitat paths that allow the migration of species into natural habitats and that support the goals of the Wildlife Action Plan. Incorporate biodiversity and the use of native plants in GI along roads and sidewalks.609.14 Action E-2.5.D: Landscape Practices Encourage the use of landscape practices compatible with industry best practices and certifications, including water-efficient landscape design using native species and GI. Incorporate biophilic design elements to enhance health and well-being by providing a connection between people and nature.609.14a Text Box: Biophilic Design Biophilic design is incorporating nature—plants, water, light, etc.—into the built environment, including homes and offices. Biophilic elements have measurable benefits relative to human productivity, emotional well-being, stress reduction, learning, and healing. Biophilic features can also foster increased appreciation and stewardship of the natural environment. By providing guidance on how to incorporate natural elements into the built environment, District government will help to promote well-being and also be a resource for other entities.

For further examples of biophilic principles, see the Urban Design; Parks, Recreation, and Open Space; and Community Services and Facilities elements.

SOURCE: District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984, effective April 10, 1984 (D.C. Law 5-76; 31 DCR

1049 (March 9, 1984)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Element Amendment Act of 1984, effective March 16, 1985 (D.C. Law 5-187; 32 DCR 873 (February 15, 1985)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-129; 37 DCR 55 (January 5, 1990)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1989 NCPC-Recommended Amendments, and Closing of Public Alleys in Square 669, S.O. 88-452, Act of 1990, effective May 23, 1990 (D.C. Law 8-132; 37 DCR 2213 (April 6, 1990)); as amended by District Government Land Use Temporary Amendment Act of 1994, effective October 1, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-190; 41 DCR 5360 (August 12, 1994)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendments Act of 1994, effective October 6, 1994 (D.C. Law 10-193; 41 DCR 5536 (August 19, 1994)); as amended by District of Columbia Comprehensive Plan Act of 1984 Land Use Amendment Act of 1994, effective March 21, 1995 (D.C. Law 10-235; 42 DCR 30 (January 6, 1995)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 18, 1996 (D.C. Law 11-110; 43 DCR 530 (February 9, 1996)); as amended by Second Technical Amendments Act of 1996 effective April 9, 1997 (D.C. Law 11-255; 44 DCR 1271 (March 7, 1997)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 1998, effective April 27, 1999 (D.C. Law 12-275; 46 DCR 1441 (February 19, 1999)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 1999, effective April 12, 2000 (D.C. Law 13-91; 47 DCR 520 (January 28, 2000)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2006, effective March 8, 2007 (D.C. Law 16-300; 54 DCR 924 (February 2, 2007)); as amended by Technical Amendments Act of 2008, effective March 25, 2009 (D.C. Law 17-353; 56 DCR 1117 (February 6, 2009)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2010, effective April 8, 2011 (D.C. Law 18-361; 58 DCR 908 (February 4, 2011)); as amended by Comprehensive Plan Amendment Act of 2021, effective August 21, 2021 (D.C. Law 24-20; 68 DCR 006918 (July 16, 2021)).