Implementation of educational programs, workshops or trainings

Sri Lanka, particularly its low-lying coastal areas, faces recurring flooding challenges exacerbated by climate change, coastal erosion, and urbanization (1). Wetlands have emerged as crucial ecosystems in mitigating these risks, acting as natural sponges during heavy rainfall and releasing water gradually as flood levels subside (1). Beyond flood control, wetlands play a vital role in environmental quality. Their biodiversity helps filter pollutants and chemicals from the air and water, creating a healthier environment for both humans and wildlife (1). In 2018, Colombo was designated as a Global Wetland City under the Ramsar Convention, becoming the first and only capital city to receive this recognition (1). Recognizing the significance of wetlands as nature-based solutions, international institutions have prioritized their conservation through financing programs (1), and the city has developed projects to raise awareness and involve its citizens in their protection (1). These efforts have resulted in the creation of four wetland parks in the city, that comparing to a wetland, the wetland parks have more human intervention. Thus, they are focused on different topics and activities (2): Diyasaru Park, Beddagana Wetland Park (managed by the Urban Development Authority), Kotte Rampart Wetland Park (managed by the Urban Development Authority), and the Gothatuwa Wetland Park (managed by the Sri Lanka Land Development Corporation) (2). Gothatuwa Park is the newest wetland park and it is located in the flood-prone Gothatuwa neighbourhood (1). Inaugurated in 2024, It has a recreational focus, with trails for cyclists and hikers, and together with the other wetland complex, this park is designed to make the wetlands a cornerstone of local people's lives (1). Currently, environmental education activities are carried out in the park, focusing on managing aquatic invasive plants, tree planting and solid waste collection (3).

In 2018, the City of Detroit implemented a drainage charge to help cover the costs of capturing, conveying, pumping, treating, and safely returning combined sewage to the Detroit and Rouge Rivers (1). The charge is calculated based on each parcel’s impact on the sewer system, particularly by measuring impervious acreage (1). Since then, this fee has posed significant challenges for one group in particular: Detroit’s houses of worship (2). Churches, with their large roofs and parking lots, face higher monthly drainage charges, creating financial strain for many faith leaders (2).
To support these institutions, Sacred Grounds has been providing grants, labor, and design assistance to install projects that reduce water bills and drainage fees (2). Sacred Grounds collaborates with the National Wildlife Federation, Friends of the Rouge, and Sierra Club of Michigan to implement these projects through the city’s green credit program (2). A recent initiative involved installing four rain gardens located on the perimeter of St. Suzanne Our Lady Gate of Heaven Church (3). These bioretention gardens, funded by several private and public actors and led by Detroit Future City, diverts water from 20 large downspouts, redirecting an estimated 500,000 gallons of runoff annually away from the municipal sewer system (3, 4).
In addition to managing water, the gardens foster a thriving habitat for pollinators and adds beauty to the area (3). St. Suzanne’s commitment to environmental education includes engaging over 130 youth and adults in training programs that build pathways to STEAM careers and opportunities where local residents are often underrepresented (4). The church also features an innovative, eco-friendly outdoor classroom developed by students, further supporting their sustainability mission (4).

Across Detroit, neglected properties and vacant lots are a common sight (1). Nearly three-quarters of Detroit residents report that there is currently deterioration—defined in the survey as a building or property visibly declining due to long-term neglect—in their neighborhoods (1). One organization, Rescue MI Nature Now, a Michigan nonprofit, is dedicated to transforming these neglected areas into beautiful, functional spaces that benefit both people and wildlife (2).
In 2022, the organization purchased property from the Detroit Land Bank that was marked for demolition (3). Following extensive renovations, the building—now named the Innovative Youth Studio—has become a hub for multiple community initiatives. These include a community garden across the street, a culinary studio that teaches young people how to prepare nutritious meals, a pollinator studio that educates on the critical role pollinators play in the food chain, and a hydroponic studio where plants are grown using nutrient-rich water instead of soil (3).
The pollinator project, developed in partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, supports small bee colonies by planting areas with trees, flowers, and native plants (2). To further enhance biodiversity and support butterflies, bees, and birds, Rescue MI Nature Now partnered with Bowling Green State University to gain insights into pollinator biodiversity and habitat potential (2). Through this initiative, the organization aims to raise awareness about pollinators, highlight their positive impact, offer guidance on creating pollinator-friendly spaces at home and enhance the quality of life for local residents and communities (2).
Additionally, the organization runs a Sustainable Youth Stewardship Program, where young people learn to garden, grow trees, identify various plants and invasive species, and practice conservation skills such as creating pollinator habitats and managing community gardens (3).

The Waliwa project, launched in 2017 by the municipality of Sainte-Luce, is a collaborative effort dedicated to restoring marine biodiversity, enhancing the ecological balance of the bay area, revitalizing the local ecosystem and supporting sustainable economic activities. By focusing on marine biodiversity conservation, Waliwa addresses several critical environmental challenges. The project helps mitigate coastline erosion, support the blue economy through artisanal fishing and tourism, and foster an environmentally friendly culture among the local community.
So far, the Waliwa project has implemented three initiatives: it restored the Gros Raisin backshore to address erosion and provide nesting sea turtles with protected space (Ref 4). The project also intervened to restore the Pont Café pond, which was covered in Salvinia Molesta, preventing the intake of oxygen and hampering its role as a water filter, habitat for species and flood regulator .
Furthermore, the project has conducted studies and raised awareness about the challenges posed by wastewater management on the health of municipal water bodies. Through these efforts, Waliwa is working to create a more sustainable and resilient marine environment for future generations. (Ref 4, 5, 6; 12)

In May 2020, CityLAB Berlin launched "Gieß den Kiez", an interactive platform designed to support Berlin's urban trees by fostering collaboration between citizens and the city. The platform enables voluntary civil society efforts to help water the city's endangered tree population. It features a map that visualizes nearly all of Berlin's street and park trees, complete with data such as water requirements, age, and species. Citizens can create profiles, adopt trees, and mark them as ‘watered’ within the app, making it easy to track contributions to the health of Berlin’s trees. (Ref. 2)
Berlin's trees face growing challenges due to increasing temperatures, reduced rainfall, and exposure to road salt in winter. The hot summers of 2018 and 2019 highlighted the urgency of supporting the city’s trees, which provide cooling shade, clean air, and habitats for numerous animal and plant species. To address this, "Gieß den Kiez" was developed as a platform where authorities, volunteers, and civic society could collaborate to prevent tree dehydration.
The platform maps over 625,000 trees across Berlin and offers additional tools, such as rainfall data from the last 30 days and the locations of public water fountains, which can be used for watering trees. By connecting data from city authorities, the German Weather Service, and OpenStreetMap, the fully open-source platform allows for transparency and accessibility in its operation. (Ref. 6)
The project has proven highly successful in Berlin, with over 10,000 participants actively watering trees, and its model has been adopted in other German cities like Leipzig. "Gieß den Kiez" not only exemplifies a practical response to urban climate challenges but also fosters a sense of shared responsibility and community engagement in caring for urban green spaces. (Ref. 6)

The urban garden in Miraflores park (Huertas las Moreras) was established already in 1991 on an old waste dump and contains 10500 m2 of plots for locals to grow fruits and vegetables [Ref. 1]. The creation of the gardens was initiated by citizens who formed an association and implemented it in cooperation with the City of Seville. The citizens were discontent with the lack of green space in the area, and the urban gardens came to be alongside Miraflores Park, which was also pushed by the locals. The initial goals of the gardens were to allow locals to produce their own food and to host educational activities [Ref. 2]. More recent developments exemplify the focus on education and knowledge. In 2022, the citizen science project "Planta Bienstar" was carried out in the gardens, where high school students measured the lead levels in the soil and crops. The project aimed to investigate if lead levels posed a health risk and if the gardens could reduce levels over time. The project was organised by the non-profit Descubre Foundation and funded by the foundation and the regional Government of Andalusia. The project relied on the knowledge and efforts of the citizens, the students and gardeners in an intergenerational collaboration where the young could learn methods from their elders [Ref. 3, 4].

The Acropora Project is a coral restoration initiative launched in 2015 by the Martinican Regional Directorate of Environment, Planning, and Housing, primarily implemented by the nonprofit organization Assomer. It focuses on two critically endangered Caribbean coral species: Acropora cervicornis and Acropora palmata, as classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. While Acropora palmata thrives on the Atlantic seabed of Martinique, Acropora cervicornis had seemingly vanished from local waters by 2007, despite previously providing crucial habitats for marine life. However, this species was rediscovered in 2013 at Loup Caravelle on the Atlantic side of Martinique.
The initiative began by extracting cuttings from both species at Loup Caravelle and nurturing them at a separate site in Le Diamant. In 2019, these corals were transplanted to three locations on the seabed of Sainte-Luce, demonstrating surprising growth patterns despite the site's low to medium environmental quality.
The project's primary aim was to prevent the permanent disappearance of both coral species through spatial replication techniques, including cutting and transplantation. Particular attention was given to enhancing the genetic variability and range of Acropora cervicornis. The initiative also aimed to raise awareness about current coral conservation challenges.
Additionally, the project included a research component that contributed to a better understanding of environmental conservation and the restoration of Acropora cervicornis populations. Unfortunately, a temperature increase at the end of 2023 resulted in the decimation of all corals at the transplant sites. (Ref. 1 -5)

Booterstown Marsh, the only remaining saltmarsh on the south shore of Dublin Bay, plays a crucial role in the Dublin Bay Protection Plan. As part of South Dublin Bay's protected landscape, this unique 4.3-hectare brackish water marsh provides vital environmental and educational value within an urban setting. It supports three key habitats, ranging from freshwater to saltwater, creating essential feeding and roosting grounds for an array of migratory birds. The marsh attracts numerous bird species, including Moorhen, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Teal, Snipe, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Dunlin, and Brent Geese, establishing it as the only bird sanctuary in South Dublin Bay.
Booterstown Marsh’s ecological significance is underscored by its inclusion in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan 2021-2025: Nature Recovery, Restoration & Reconnection. Managed by the Biodiversity Section of the council, this initiative focuses on protecting and enhancing Booterstown Marsh as part of a broader effort to restore natural habitats across the area. The council’s project addresses key factors in biodiversity loss—such as land use pressures, climate change, and invasive species—by implementing an annual monitoring program to prevent deterioration of critical EU Annex habitats and species.
An Taisce, a local NGO has managed the marsh reserve since the 1970s, dedicating efforts to conservation and public education. This habitat, along with other local ecosystems like the wetlands at Ballycorus and woodlands at Loughlinstown, serves as an essential natural defense against climate change, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and helping stabilize local landscapes by slowing floodwaters in catchment areas.(1-6)

This project involves collaboration among government, private, and educational entities focused on developing an agroforestry initiative that integrates economic activity, labor market integration, and educational opportunities for young children at the “Foyer de l’Espérance” [school and child welfare center] in Fort-de-France. The objective is to plant 1,500 cacao trees on the Foyer's premises by 2025. These trees will serve as pedagogical support for teachers and children. Planting activities commenced in 2022, and the first cacao pods are expected to mature in 2-3 years. Subsequently, these pods will be processed and transformed by the Martinican Lauzéa chocolate factory under the brand “Chocolat de l’Espérance” (Refs 2; 4).
The idea for this project emerged in June 2022 when young students engaged in a discussion about cocoa farming with Thierry Lauzéa during "Business Thursdays," organized by “Espérance Formation Insertion.” These meetings allow young beneficiaries to explore the business world and discuss their career paths with professionals. During one of these sessions, the young participants inquired about the origins of the cocoa used in Lauzéa's chocolates, leading to the concept of producing cocoa for the Frères Lauzéa company (Refs 3; 5).

The former Kulturpark Plänterwald, once the only permanent amusement park in the GDR, closed in 2001 due to declining visitor numbers. Over time, the 23-hectare site became a ‘lost place,’ falling into disrepair. In 2014, the state of Berlin reacquired the area, and two years later, Grün Berlin initiated its redevelopment with a sustainable development concept that places significant emphasis on rainwater management.
The project’s goal is to avoid discharging rainwater into the sewer system and instead manage all precipitation on-site. This approach addresses both heavy rainfall events and extreme drought conditions, creating a sustainable rainwater management system. A central element of this concept is the historic but dried-up water basin located near the iconic Ferris wheel. Plans include redesigning and reactivating the basin, incorporating terraces and a shallow water zone, transforming it into a key part of the rainwater cycle while providing an attractive recreational and adventure area. (Ref. 1; Ref. 2)
In the future, the water basin will no longer be purely decorative but will serve as a critical artificial water reservoir. To support this function, it will be equipped with a natural horizontal filter system featuring reeds for rainwater purification. Pre-treated water will flow into the newly designed 3,000-square-metre basin near the Ferris wheel. Rainwater collected in the basin, along with water stored in cisterns throughout the park, will irrigate the site’s vegetation. This innovative approach ensures sustainable water use and contributes to the ecological revitalization of the park. (Ref. 1; Ref. 3)
By integrating sustainable rainwater management into its redevelopment, the former Kulturpark Plänterwald is being transformed into a resilient and environmentally conscious space, combining historical preservation with modern ecological practices.