Achieved increased number of species present

The Prinzessinnengarten Kollektiv Berlin is a community garden in the New St Jacobi Cemetery in Berlin-Neukölln that invites people to join in gardening and experience nature. As part of open gardening days, people can participate in the design of the garden areas and gain experience in the local, ecological cultivation of useful plants. The main aim of their work is to provide opportunities for education and participation. Activities are open to everyone and range from sowing, planting and harvesting to seed production, processing and preserving vegetables, keeping bees to questions of community-based urban habitat design.The community also has its own farm shop where seeds, food and processed products are sold. (Ref. 1; Ref. 4) Numerous projects for recycling and upcycling, innovative cultivation methods, organic beekeeping, composting methods and post-fossil mobility use the Prinzessinnengarten as a platform for sustainable urban living. Artists also work in the garden with participatory methods on the question of how cities and their coexistence can be designed in a sustainable and resource-saving way. Outside the Prinzessinnengarten, offshoot gardens are set up and collaborations are developed to build nationwide and European networks. Through lectures, workshops, study visits and participatory research in the garden, we endeavour to include and further develop the topics associated with the Prinzessinnengarten in discussions and education. (Ref. 7)

The project is located on a cemetery, which has been partially closed since 2016. This means that burials are no longer carried out on the site and the existing rights of use of the 500 or so remaining graves will no longer be extended after expiry. The church association lends the land to the project in exchange for maintenance work on the surrounding grounds. (Ref. 6)

The rate of deforestation in the Brazilian Legal Amazon in 2023 was consolidated at 9,064 km2. Initiatives that promote forest restoration in this biome are emerging to overcome this scenario. One such initiative is Floresta Productiva which aims to reforest more than 200 hectares of degraded land in the southwest of the Brazilian Amazon, known as the ‘arc of deforestation’ (1). Led by the Instituto Socioambiental in partnership with the NGO Rioterra, it focuses on creating and disseminating native forest restoration models that combine ecosystem recovery with income generation for rural producers in Porto Velho (2). By fully integrating local communities, the project promotes traditional agroforestry practices (muvuca) and trains communities to maintain the planted land. This not only restores the forest but also provides economic benefits through the cultivation of timber, fruit trees and other species (2), strengthening sustainable agriculture, breaking the cycle of deforestation and restoring deforested areas through various native species grown in nurseries (1). The project is being developed in the cultivation area of the Amazon Bioeconomy Centre (CBCA), from 2023 to 2025, where it will directly benefit the rural community of Vila Nova de Teotônio (3).
The project started in 2019 and has impacted other communities in the area, such as the communities in Nova Mutum Paraná and Ji-Paraná (1). During these years, more than 123,000 trees have been planted in agroforestry on about 110 hectares of land, and edible forests have been created. Since 2022, a new planting phase has been underway, to plant more than 100,000 trees of 87 native species on 40 hectares of degraded forest (4). In conclusion, this project focuses on the development of agroforestry in the face of widespread monospecific soybean fields and intensive cattle ranching (3); the creation of edible forests (3); and the restoration of forest cover to ensure the long-term resilience of the forest (3).

Alexandria is one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable cities, facing serious environmental challenges that threaten its landscape, culture, and livability. The city is grappling with rising sea levels, pollution, extreme fluctuations in temperature, and the intensifying urban heat island effect, all of which are worsened by climate change. The past decade has seen a steady decline in Alexandria’s parks and green areas, a trend that has raised significant concerns among environmentalists and the public. The shrinking green spaces are largely due to rapid urban expansion and the development of commercial projects, which are gradually pushing Alexandria's environmental balance and cultural heritage to the edge.
In recognition of these pressing issues, Egypt launched the "100 Million Trees Initiative" in 2022 as part of its Egypt Vision 2030, a national plan for sustainable development. The initiative aims to increase the per capita share of green space throughout the country, with objectives that include improving air quality, enhancing public health, countering the urban heat island effect, and reducing greenhouse gases. The initiative is also focused on improving the beauty and cultural value of Egypt's urban areas, aligning with broader goals to build sustainable and climate-resilient cities. Alexandria, being a coastal city that is both environmentally sensitive and culturally significant, has been a focal point of these efforts.
As part of this national campaign, the Governor of Alexandria was tasked with overseeing the enhancement and expansion of green spaces across the city, focusing on both the aesthetics and cultural aspects of the urban landscape. In 2023, these efforts took root in the Al-Muntazah 2 neighborhood, where 596 trees were planted as a contribution to the 100 Million Trees Initiative. This project included the Al-Samad Preparatory and Secondary Schools campus as one of its primary planting sites. (1-5)

Herboristerie Créole, established in 2012 in Martinique by Séverine and Rémi Asensio, is a private farm and business focused on cultivating aromatic and medicinal plants, managing all stages of production, processing, and marketing. Situated in the commune of Gros-Morne, the farm draws on traditional Creole knowledge to produce medicinal plants and Creole cosmetics. Spanning 1.8 hectares, it is organized as a forest garden, featuring a diverse ecosystem that includes aromatic and medicinal plants, spices, fruit trees, and tropical flowers. Agroecological practices are central to its operation, with natural mulching from coconuts and green waste, and composting from the forest garden enriching the soil.
In addition, Herboristerie Créole operates a certified organic herbal dispensary in Saint Joseph, specializing in medicinal plants. The dispensary merges ancestral knowledge from the local "Rimèd Razié" tradition—a practice involving the use of native plants and natural remedies for healing, passed down through generations—with modern pharmaceutical standards. It produces a range of products, including herbal teas, infusions, spices, oils, and capsules for pharmaceutical and cosmetic use.
The farm is instrumental in preserving and passing on ancestral knowledge, which was once banned during the period of slavery, while ensuring that its artisanal products comply with dosage and safety regulations. Located at the foot of the Carbet peaks, the farm holds the Biological Farming (AB) label and follows agroecological methods through its "Jardin Créole" approach. It avoids the use of phytosanitary products, aims for zero waste, and implements measures to preserve biodiversity. (ref. 1, 2, 5, 6)

Established in 1996, the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) is the UN's official headquarters in Africa, located just 9.7 km from the heart of Nairobi. In line with the UN's global sustainability goals, the office took significant steps to reduce its environmental footprint as it expanded. According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), buildings contribute to a third of global energy use and are major sources of greenhouse gas emissions. To address these issues, new buildings were designed to prioritize energy and water efficiency, with a focus on sustainability.
Completed in 2011, the new headquarters reflect the UN's broader commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The design includes 6,000 m² of solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, energy-efficient lighting, and natural ventilation, making the complex energy-neutral and water-efficient. It generates as much solar energy as it consumes, supporting over 1,200 staff members. Additionally, the project carefully preserved indigenous trees and created micro-ecosystems within the interior gardens, further aligning with the UN’s environmental mission.
By embedding these green features, the UNON complex serves as a model for sustainable development in urban settings, echoing the UN’s efforts to combat climate change and promote ecological resilience globally. (Ref. 1, 2, 3, 4)

Rapid urbanization and a population density of 6,247 people per km² have placed significant stress on Nairobi's natural resources (Ref 1). The 40-km long Nairobi River Basin, originating from the Ondiri Swamp, serves as a vital water source for the city (Ref 1, 2). However, it has suffered severe pollution from untreated sewage, solid waste, industrial contaminants, plastics, and agricultural runoff (Ref 1, 3). This degradation has had a serious impact on the ecosystem, local residents, and biodiversity (Ref 3).

To address these issues, the Nairobi River Basin Programme (NRBP), sponsored by UNEP, was launched in 1999 (Ref 4). Since then, government and non-state actors have worked together on solid waste management, riparian restoration, and wastewater control (Ref 1). The program was implemented in two phases: Phase I (2003–2006) and Phase II (2006–2009), involving stakeholders from the government, private sector, and civil society (Ref 1, 4, 5). Despite these efforts, a study from 2017 found significant tree removal along the river, and between 1988 and 2014, encroachment into the 30-meter riparian buffer zone dramatically increased, particularly between 2010 and 2014, further degrading the river’s health (Ref 1).

The project ‘Planting the Future and Cultivating Life’ aims to create an ecological corridor in the city by reforesting an area of 28 hectares, under the direction of the Porto Velho City Council. It encourages citizen participation in tree planting activities or the management of green areas. To this end, the municipality is carrying out tree planting programmes in parks, squares and along public roads, encouraging citizens to get involved in this endeavour by actively participating in tree planting actions, caring for trees already on their property or raising awareness of the importance of these actions. (1) They seek to involve organisations such as schools, colleges, companies, associations and public organisations to increase the community's and young people's interest in responsible practices and positive attitudes to value and preserve the environment (1).
To achieve this goal, the Porto Velho city council organised a tree-planting day on October 23rd 2023, where 31,000 tree seedlings of native and fruit trees were planted in the Park Passarela Espaço Alternativo (1, 7). This was done with the support of the Municipal Secretariat of Environment and Development (1). This activity is part of the project Virada Ambiental, which seeks to promote the planting of native trees in municipalities across the country, raising awareness of the importance of planting native species and training municipal civil servants and the general public (3, 5). The National Confederation of Municipalities also supports this project and aims to mobilise society to encourage the planting of native trees to rescue biodiversity and recover environmental services, favouring social welfare by promoting tourism, and outdoor sports activities (6), providing shade, protecting the soil and combating high temperatures (2).

In Sjöhåla, west of Kungälv, an abandoned pasture on a wet meadow by the coast was restored by reintroducing grazing, clearing bushes and reeds, digging ponds and renovating stone walls. The aim was to increase biodiversity in the area and to promote the production of local organic meat. Additionally, the project made it easier for visitors to pass through the area for recreational purposes. The project was carried out by the municipality of Kungälv and the non-profit organisation Omställning Kungälv, and involved other local associations, farmers and citizens. It was funded through the "Local nature conservation investment" by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. As a result of the project, the area is more accessible, and many species of plants, insects, and birds have been found. [Ref. 1-3]

The John Michuki Memorial Park was transformed from a vast dumpsite in 2008 and established in honor of John Michuki, the Environment Minister during the Kibaki administration, in 2012. Michuki garnered admiration and accolades for his enthusiasm and determination to clean and preserve the environment (Ref 1, 2). Situated along the Nairobi River, the park serves as a historically rich recreational facility (Ref 3).
However, several issues arose after the park was transferred to the county administration in 2013 (Ref 2). A section of the Nairobi River flowing through the park experienced severe environmental degradation due to illegal discharges and poor waste management, negatively impacting the riparian ecosystem and biodiversity (Ref 4). Additionally, the park became a refuge for drug users, street children, and thieves, with stray dogs posing safety threats in the area (Ref 1, 2).
As the first project within the Cleaning Up Kenya Campaign, the restoration of Michuki Memorial Park was launched in 2020 by the government (Ref 5). The park is now managed by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) following a directive from the national government (ibid.). With funds from the treasury, a perimeter fence was erected, a 2.4 km walkway was constructed, and 4,200 seedlings and 6,357 indigenous trees were planted, along with the establishment of a nursery (Ref 1, 6). A total of 20,000 tons of solid waste were removed (Ref 6). Additionally, a community forest association was formed to ensure community engagement (Ref 2).

Alexandria is a city with a special charm, known for its beaches and gardens that act as the lungs through which the city breathes, and are considered a haven for its people (1). Unfortunately, in the last ten years, there has been a decrease in green space due to urban expansion and the establishment of Commercial and profitable projects (1). To address the lack of green space in the city, The Governor of Alexandria has stressed the continued efforts to develop, beautify and plant the squares and turn them into attractive civilized facades, as part of Egypts 2030 vision which aims to move towards a greener city and reduce the effects of climate change. (2). To encourage redevelopment of public green spaces, The Governor launched the “Alexandria shines with its squares” competition in 2023, where the top three neighborhoods with the best redeveloped squares would receive a prize of up to EGP 50,000 [928.45 EUR] (6). The First Al Montazah neighborhood participated in the competition by redeveloping Sidi Bishr Mosque Square (2-5). The 700 meter square was completely upgraded with solar energy, a new irrigation system to conserve water, modifications to the sewer network, and planting the garden with plants that suit the environment (3). The greening activities included planting 400 sticks of various crops in the upgraded square (4).