The Biodiversity District is a first-of-its-kind pilot to coordinate biodiversity action across property lines, organizations, and sectors. Led by NYC Bird Alliance with Google as a founding sponsor, the initiative brings together science, real estate, public space management, and community engagement into a single, neighborhood-scale model. The pilot will launch on Manhattan’s Lower West Side, with the goal of creating a framework that can scale to other NYC neighborhoods over time.

Coordinated neighborhood-scale action can deliver more biodiversity impact than individual efforts alone. The Biodiversity District aims to produce a practical, repeatable model for cities facing climate change, development pressure, and biodiversity loss. 

The Lower West Side offers a rare concentration of green roofs and terraces, public parks, cultural institutions, and private developments investing in sustainability. Planning work in 2025 confirmed strong cross-sector interest in moving from isolated projects to a coordinated ecological network. This makes it an ideal testing ground for a model designed to be replicable citywide.

Since 2025, NYC Bird Alliance has led the pilot phase to co-design the Biodiversity District with nearly 40 organizations across real estate, parks and public spaces, government, and nonprofits. We are currently focused on implementation planning, governance, and tool-building, with a public launch of the Lower West Side District planned for 2027. 

The Biodiversity District is designed for companies and nonprofits with a physical presence on Manhattan’s Lower West Side — including real estate managers, cultural institutions, and parks and public space stewards — who are interested in advancing biodiversity through their buildings, landscapes, or operations. Ideal partners are organizations already taking sustainability action, or looking for a practical, science-based way to deepen and coordinate that work with peers across the neighborhood. 

During the pilot phase, partners will participate in convenings, share input on priorities, and explore how their sites and operations can align with district-wide biodiversity goals. Participation is flexible and collaborative, focused on testing ideas and helping shape the model.

To learn more or express interest in participating in the pilot, contact NYC Bird Alliance at district@nycbirdalliance.org

With Google as a founding sponsor, the Biodiversity District is now seeking additional partners to support implementation and the 2027 launch of the Lower West Side pilot. Sponsorships help fund coordination, science-based tools, pilot projects, and public engagement, while offering partners visibility, leadership positioning, and a direct role in shaping a model designed to scale citywide.

Contact district@nycbirdalliance.org for information about sponsorship opportunities.