Conservation Thresholds for Land Use Planners
Environmental Law Institute

In 2003, ELI released Conservation Thresholds for Land-Use Planners, a review and synthesis of information from the most up-to-date scientific literature to provide basic thresholds to land use planners to rely upon when making decisions affecting biodiversity. This report summarizes what is known within the scientific community about potential land use planning and design thresholds; offers general guidance on how to transform traditional planning approaches into more ecologically-based conservation tools; and provides a platform for identifying gaps in existing knowledge to help guide more in-depth ecological research directly applicable to land use planning.

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Halting the Invasion
State Tools for Invasive Species Management
Environmental Law Institute

In 2002, ELI released a seminal study, Halting the Invasion: State Tools for Invasive Species Management. The report analyzes the existing state laws and regulations that address invasive species. It provides policy-makers with information on how to strengthen their own invasive species control programs. Included with the report is an appendix on CD-ROM. The appendix includes summaries of each state's invasive species laws and regulations. In 2004, ELI published Invasive Species Control: A Comprehensive Model State Law. This companion publication provides the statutory framework for a comprehensive state program to detect, control, and manage the threat of invasive species across all taxa.

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Nature-Friendly Ordinances
James M. McElfish, Jr.

In 2004, ELI published Nature-Friendly Ordinances: Local Measures for Biodiversity, a compilation of model laws and ordinances that integrate biological principles and information into land use planning, zoning, and infrastructure decisions. It draws on examples and best practices from across and can be used by planners to identify relevant biodiversity information, develop effective comprehensive plans that include biodiversity as a management element, and prepare ordinances and amendments for consideration by the local legislative body.

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Planning for Biodiversity
Authorities in State Land Use Laws
Environmental Law Institute and Defenders of Wildlife

In 2003, ELI published Planning for Biodiversity: Authorities in State Land Use Laws. The report was prepared in partnership with Defenders of Wildlife and is the first to examine the land use planning enabling and growth management laws in each of the 50 states. It identifies a wide range of currently underutilized and potentially powerful authorities related to biodiversity protection, including planning requirements for natural resources, open space, wildlife habitat, and critical and sensitive areas.

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Planning with Nature
Biodiversity in Action
Environmental Law Institute

In 2003, ELI published Planning with Nature: Biodiversity Information in Action. Working in partnership with NatureServe, ELI conducted research to assess when and where the use of biological information is required or authorized by state or local laws or policies. The report makes the case that there is ample authority at the state level for decision-makers to require more consultation with Natural Heritage Programs on the impacts of proposed decisions on biological diversity.

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Status of the States
Innovative State Strategies for Biodiversity Conservation
Environmental Law Institute

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