The Lommas Programme
Lomas are endemic seasonal ecosystems found in Peru and Chile. They provide a variety of benefits such as soil stabilisation, air purification, recreational spaces, water retention, and are habitats for endemic and threatened species (Ref 7). They are of great ecosystem value to the city of Lima, as green areas have been reduced in the urban area, occupying up to 24% of urban green ecosystems. These ecosystems are threatened by unplanned urban growth, traffic, pollution and lack of government regulation. Given this context, Eab Lomas is a project that focuses on the conservation, management and rehabilitation of the ecosystems found in the Lomas of Lima (Ref 1, 2, 3, 4, 5). It focused on 4 lines of action: conservation of Lomas' ecosystems; implementation of territorial planning; economic diversification focused on the conservation and recovery of vegetation through low-impact recreational activities; and management of water resources (Ref 1, 2, 3, 4).
The Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area
The Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area is a urban green space that transformed a former 5-mile-long city dump into a thriving riparian corridor (2, 3, 7, 9). The project, spearheaded by the City of Phoenix in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Maricopa County Flood Control District, and the Arizona Water Protection Fund, has revitalized a degraded ecosystem (9). Through decades of concerted effort, involving government agencies, non-profits such as the Arizona Sustainability Alliance, and community engagement, the area has been restored to a lush habitat supporting diverse wildlife, including over 200 bird species (1, 2, 7). The project aimed to mitigate the pressing issues of urban heat, air pollution, and habitat loss that Phoenix grappled with (1). By creating green spaces, improving air quality, and offering recreational opportunities, the Rio Salado Habitat Restoration Area stands as a testament to the power of collaborative conservation and community resilience (1, 6, 7, 9). The restoration area now boasts hiking and biking trails, a nature center, and various educational programs, making it a community space (3, 7, 9).
