Creating Resilient and Equitable Cities through Vacant Lot Restoration

There are approximately 40,000 vacant lots in Philadelphia; mostly overgrown with noxious weeds accompanied by residential trash and building refuse. Over the last three years, National Wildlife Federation has piloted a project in Philadelphia with the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society to explore how cities with excess vacant lots can restore these sites to provide climate-resilient wildlife habitat, green stormwater infrastructure, equitable access to nature, and create economic/job training opportunities. Through this project we aimed to understand what plant species thrive best on urban vacant lots, which are most desired by surrounding communities, and how these sites impact stormwater retention.