What is SDG 15?

SDG 15 - Life on Land aims to protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and biodiversity loss.

Target 15.1 : By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains, and drylands, in line with obligations under international agreements.

Target 15.5 : Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species.

Target 15.9 : By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies, and account.

How is SDG 15 addressed in the City of Corvallis, Oregon?

Image: City of Corvallis.

Within the city, Corvallis has 8 natural areas with an abundance of hiking trails. There are many places that you can go only minutes from downtown that are wealthy in green space and native vegetation.

The many green spaces have contributed to better air quality, flourishing biodiversity, and overall they provide the citizens with peaceful places to enhance their well-being.

Corvallis is protecting, restoring, and promoting sustainable use of its ecosystems through activism and action.

In 2007, the City partnered with the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition, a group dedicated to building a sustainable city.

The Corvallis City Council immediately responded by adopting a goal to “enhance organizational sustainability efforts and begin to develop a community-wide sustainability initiative.”

The partnership between the two made it easier for their citizens to understand and inquire about what actions were being taken and how they would be effected. Increased knowledge of the connections between the environment, society, and economy led to increased concern for long-term sustainability.

How can SDG 15 be addressed in the City of Muskegon, Michigan?

Image: City of Muskegon.

While Muskegon does a good job of providing natural areas and green space for its residents, there are opportunities to do even better in accordance with SDG 15 within the city.

There is an opportunity to build and grow in an environmentally sustainable way as the city approves huge new developments. Many large locations that are in the process of being developed have experienced degradation from industrial businesses in past decades.

Remediation efforts are underway, and it is essential to monitor and enhance these new developments with green space and native vegetation to promote biodiversity and ecological functions.

Locations such as the abandoned Shaw-Walker building, Adelaide Point, and Windward point are moving forward with huge residential, recreational, and commercial developments.

Developers have promised green space, lake access, and public accessibility for recreation. It is essential that they are held to these promises and that the city monitors their activities throughout development.

It must also be a priority to develop these locations in sustainable ways that are friendly to the environment in the long-term.

The Muskegon Conservation District (MCD) is an excellent resources to depend on when developing these locations as they can provide guidance on preserving biodiversity and planting native vegetation where new developments are located.

Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Mission statement

Reduce and ultimately eliminate our contribution to fossil fuel dependence and to wasteful use of scarce metals and minerals. Use renewable resources whenever possible.

Reduce and ultimately eliminate our contribution to dependence on persistent chemicals and wasteful use of synthetic substances. Use biologically safe products whenever possible.

Reduce and ultimately eliminate our contribution to encroachment upon nature (e.g., land, water, wildlife, forests, soil, ecosystems). Protect natural ecosystems.

Support people’s capacity to meet their basic needs fairly and efficiently.

Muskegon Conservation District Mission Statement

It shall be the mission of the Muskegon Conservation District to conserve, restore, and protect local natural resources for the public good and for the long term stewardship of the land.

The District shall provide technical assistance, demonstration projects, research, education, outdoor recreational opportunities, publications, equipment, and conservation materials for the public to properly manage and use their natural resources.

The District shall manage all lands under its administration and ownership for the highest ethical purpose of the “public commons” and for the benefit and conservation of natural resources.

Rekyjavik, Iceland

Being the capital of Iceland, the majority of the Icelandic population (approx. 140,000 people) resides in Reykjavik. The Reykjavik Energy Group covers about 19,000 hectares of land, and it is responsible for protecting local biodiversity and obtaining energy from renewable sources.

The group's main focus is to restore interrupted ecosystems, particularly in the Andakílsá river, and discover and administer solutions to blue and green surface water issues, such as rainwater gardens and the installation of permeable pavement.

Reykjavik also planted 9,000 trees in 2022, with a focus on eroded areas.

One downside to Life on Land in Reykjavik is that there are no protected areas in the city for biodiversity.

In addition to implementing restoration efforts, Iceland is one of the most sustainable countries in the world, and geothermal energy is definitely an important factor. Currently, 90% of Iceland's homes are heated by geothermal power (Buchsbaum 2023) produced by geothermal pools, geysers, and volcanoes.

Of course, like every other energy source, geothermal energy can be subjected to overuse, especially when rainfall and therefore hot water availability varies.

Muskegon, Michigan

Unlike Reykjavik, Muskegon is on the smaller side, with a population of approximately 40,000 people and a mere 4,700 hectares. While this makes it more difficult to find people that are passionate enough about environmental change to implement reforms, it can also make it easier to monitor progress for SDG 15.

According to the EPA, there have been various restoration projects in Muskegon, particularly in aquatic ecosystems; as fisheries and tourist attraction amount to a large portion of Muskegon's income, aquatic life and the state of nearby bodies of water is prioritized in the city.

Projects such as:

Cleaning debris from wetlands and lake shores
Petroleum removal
Eutrophication Mitigation Processes

All contribute to Muskegon's efforts to improve the state of its biodiversity. However, because of the aquatic focus, biodiversity in Muskegon is often overlooked.

On the other hand, Muskegon does have protected areas, including 4 nature preserves, 3 state parks, and plenty of county parks.

Because the state of Michigan has little for geothermal energy, natural gas is a much more common source of energy for electricity generation. Renewable energy in Michigan is typically wind, though a project to install turbines in Muskegon has yet to be approved.

SDGs that relate to SDG 15

SDG 8.9 : By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products.

Developing the lakeshore, supporting local businesses, and preserving the ecosystem around and along Muskegon Lake will continue to drive tourists to the area. Here they can enjoy the beautifully sustained environment of Muskegon.

SDG 11.7 : By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities.

Investing in the parks and natural areas will fulfill the SDG 15 requirements by reversing land degradation and promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. In turn, the public will gain accessibility to those green spaces and natural areas.

SDG 12.8 : By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature.

Communication and open dialogue from the city of Muskegon to its residents has already proven to bring awareness for sustainable developments. Public comments at city meetings show that the citizens are listening and watching to make sure that those who reside in this city have their opinions and voices heard.

SDG 13.3 : Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.

On a local level, the city of Muskegon can work with developers along the lake shore to ensure they are prepared for climate related complications such as rising lake waters and excessive storm water run-off. Adapting to these complications proactively versus reactively will protect the ecosystem, its inhabitants, and ensure that all stake holders are equipped and prepared for climate related impacts.

Click the buttons below for more information on each Sustainable Development Goal

SDG 8

SDG 11

SDG 12

SDG 13