At Climate Focus, we’ve made our home in four highly populated urban centers – the Amsterdam-Rotterdam area, Berlin, Bogotá, and Washington, DC. While the trips in this book often take you outside of those cities, the truth is that you can have an adventure just by staying home and observing the biodiversity hidden amongst the bricks and bike lanes. Protecting and appreciating the species that share our streets is key to maintaining healthy ecosystems, mitigating climate change, and fostering our connection with nature, so see if you can find these plants and animals as you explore our favorite cities. It’s not easy, but it’s worth the challenge.
Berlin, Germany
Endangered Animals & Plants
European Beaver (Castor fiber): Once almost extinct, their populations are recovering, but they remain vulnerable due to habitat disturbances.
Red Kite (Milvus milvus): A bird of prey facing declines due to agricultural changes, poisoning, and nest disturbances.
European Eel (Anguilla anguilla): Critically endangered, mainly due to barriers in rivers that prevent migration, along with overfishing and pollution.
(Pictured in the mouth of a Great Cormorant)
European Otter (Lutra lutra): Habitat degradation, especially in waterways, has led to a decline, though conservation efforts are ongoing.
Northern Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus): This ground-nesting bird suffers from agricultural intensification and wetland drainage.
Marsh Helleborine (Epipactis palustris): A beautiful orchid that grows in wet, calcareous soils, threatened by habitat destruction.
Yellow Floating Heart (Nymphoides peltata): An aquatic plant endangered by water pollution and invasive species that outcompete it.
Field Gentian (Gentianella campestris): A small, purple wildflower endangered due to overgrazing and loss of open meadow habitats.
Washington, D.C.
Endangered Animals & Plants
Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus): Though recovering nationally, they remain sensitive to habitat loss and pollution in the D.C. region.
Bog Turtle (Glyptemys muhlenbergii): Small, rare turtle threatened by wetland destruction and illegal collection
Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina): Endangered due to habitat fragmentation and road mortality
Indiana Bat (Myotis sodalis): Affected by habitat disturbance, loss of roosting sites, and white-nose syndrome
Rusty Patched Bumblebee (Bombus affinis): Critical pollinator affected by habitat loss, pesticides, and disease
Swamp Pink (Helonias bullata): A perennial flower native to wetlands, threatened by habitat destruction and water pollution.
American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius): Overharvested for medicinal use, endangered in its natural woodland habitats.
Small Whorled Pogonia (Isotria medeoloides): Rare orchid threatened by logging
Bogotá, Colombia
Endangered Animals & Plants
Andean Bear (Tremarctos ornatus): The only South American bear species, endangered by deforestation and human conflict.
Yellow-eared Parrot (Ognorhynchus icterotis): Parrot threatened by habitat destruction, especially of the wax palm trees it relies on.
Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus): The national bird of Colombia, threatened by poisoning and habitat loss in the Andes.
Cotton-top Tamarin (Saguinus oedipus): Small primate found in nearby forests, endangered due to habitat destruction and illegal pet trade.
Frailejón (Espeletia spp.): Endemic to páramo ecosystems, threatened by climate change and land use changes.
Wax Palm (Ceroxylon quindiuense): The world’s tallest palm tree, endangered due to deforestation and harvesting.
Páramo Ragwort (Senecio cannabifolius): Found in high-altitude ecosystems, endangered by habitat loss.
Puya Tree (Puya trianae): Endemic plant that supports hummingbirds, threatened by deforestation in Andean regions.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Endangered Animals & Plants
Common Spadefoot Toad (Pelobates fuscus): Endangered in wetland areas due to habitat loss and water pollution.
European Mink (Mustela lutreola): Critically endangered in Europe due to habitat loss and competition with the invasive American mink.
Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa): Wading bird threatened by changes in agricultural practices and wetland drainage.
Harbor Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena): Marine mammal affected by water pollution and noise in the North Sea.
Fen Orchid (Liparis loeselii): Orchid species endangered by wetland drainage and changes in land management.
Bogbean (Menyanthes trifoliata): Aquatic plant found in bogs and wet meadows, endangered by wetland drainage.
Greater Bladderwort (Utricularia vulgaris): Carnivorous plant threatened by pollution and habitat loss in waterways.
Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium): Endangered due to changes in water management and competition from non-native species.
