Dawn Biehler (Geography and Environmental Systems)

Many call for cities to support animal life by allowing small livestock, preserving migratory bird habitat or redesigning zoos to become more “natural.” Yet urban public spaces, including green spaces, have long excluded many humans on the basis of race, sexuality, gender, ability, and other aspects of identity. For example, the history of New York City’s Central Park shows that (mostly) white, straight, male authorities justified their exclusion of Black, immigrant, and queer visitors on the basis of animals’ well-being and natural-ness. However, diverse New Yorkers have formed vital relationships with animals since before the founding of Central Park which this talk shows that we must rethink inclusion and sustainability to include all people as well as our fellow creatures.