For the United Nations Sustainable Cities Initiative, Goal #15 is about life on land.
For Baltimore, the indicators identified by the University of Baltimore to date for this goal are as follows:
Tree Canopy Coverage Rate
The percentage of tree canopy of total land In the city. The greater the UTC, the more trees are able to intercept rainfall that would otherwise run off of paved surfaces, the less the urban heat island effect, and the more aesthetic and community benefits such as improved quality of life
Number of Urban Agriculture Projects
The estimated number of current urban agriculture projects and existing city- or community-based initiatives supporting each type of urban agriculture. Urban agriculture includes urban farms (both commercial and community), community gardens, youth gardens and farms, home and rooftop gardens, aquaponics and aquaculture, and other uses. The higher the number of projects, the more Baltimore residents can rely on locally produced food products.
Number of Species Observed in BioBlitz
An indicator of plant and animal biodiversity. The larger the number is, the higher biodiversity, and the less the adverse human impact of species diversity.
Tell us what you think about these indicators! Take the survey for Goal #15.
Goal 15 Global Targets
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.
15.2 By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
15.3 By 2020, combat desertification and restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land-degradation neutral world.
15.4 By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development.
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.
15.6 Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources and promote appropriate access to such resources, as internationally agreed.
15.7 Take urgent action to end poaching and trafficking of protected species of flora and fauna and address both demand and supply of illegal wildlife products.
15.8 By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species.
15.9 By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts.
15.10 Mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems.
15.11 Mobilize significant resources from all sources and at all levels to finance sustainable forest management and provide adequate incentives to developing countries to advance such management, including for conservation and reforestation.
15.12 Enhance global support for efforts to combat poaching and trafficking of protected species, including by increasing the capacity of local communities to pursue sustainable livelihood opportunities.
Learn more about this goal via the United Nations.