Jennifer Symonds
Jennifer Symonds
Environmental Analyst
Resilient Landscapes Program
Urban Nature Lab
Jennifer Symonds is an Environmental Analyst for the Resilient Landscapes program. Jennifer received a B.S. in Environmental Science and a minor in Sustainable Design from University of California, Berkeley. For their honors thesis, Jennifer developed a remote-sensing algorithm to detect cover crops in the Central Coast of California for which they won the Melis Medal at University of California, Berkeley’s College of Natural Resources. Jennifer’s undergraduate research included urban ecology projects in New York City, wastewater pollutant treatment in Santa Cruz, and agroecology research in Berkeley. At SFEI, Jennifer uses their interest in landscape analysis, urban ecology, and research to support Urban Nature Lab projects.
Related Projects, News, and Events

This study focuses on a segment of the Santa Ana River Parkway in and around the City of Riverside, where multiple habitat restoration projects are underway.

The same features in urban parks that support biodiversity can also benefit human health. Even biodiversity itself may help us — and the San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) wants to see more of it. To that end, the nonprofit released an innovative report in September called Ecology for Health. It’s a practical guide for planners and designers to aid both biodiversity and human health in urban settings.
The Ecology for Health guide is based on an extensive review of ecological literature on the potential of cities to support native plants and wildlife, as well as research exploring the health benefits of access to biodiverse greenspace. Anyone making decisions about land use and urban design in cities across the world can benefit from the recommendations in this guide (including community-based organizations, local non-profits, local leaders and policymakers, city planners, urban designers, landscape architects, engineers, gardeners/horticulturists/arborists, residents, and landowners).

Protecting carbon stocks and increasing carbon sequestration can support climate change mitigation and maintain healthy, resilient ecosystems. To support SFPUC managers in making informed carbon management decisions, the Alameda Watershed Carbon Assessment offers scientific guidance on the watershed’s current and potential performance as a natural climate solution. This assessment was framed by two main objectives: to quantify current carbon stocks in the Alameda Watershed, and to evaluate opportunities to enhance carbon sequestration in its vegetation and soils.