Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)

In the 1980s, rapid industrialization, urban population growth, and increased water usage led to severe pollution in Dianchi Lake, exceeding its environmental capacity and significantly degrading its water quality (Ref 1). This deterioration had serious effects on nearby ecosystems, including Cuihu Lake (Ref 2). Cuihu Lake (翠湖), also known as Green Lake Park, is a well-known park and body of water in the center of Kunming, Yunnan Province, China. In Cuihu lake the decline in water quality caused a sharp reduction in native species like the golden line barb, which depend on the local ecosystem for survival, pushing them to near extinction and destabilizing the entire ecosystem (ibid.).
To address this, several effective initiatives have been launched to restore Cuihu Lake’s ecosystem in recent years (Ref 2, 3). One of them was started in 2020 when a restoration project was initiated by the site's administration in collaboration with Dr. Li Weiwei’s team from the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The project focused on creating micro-habitats and restoring the aquatic ecosystem (ibid.). Ecosystem and biodiversity restoration efforts were conducted across a 5,000 m² area on the east side of Green Lake Park, covering approximately 1/27th of the lake (ibid.).
As a result, more than 20 aquatic animal species are now thriving and contributing to water purification, while three submerged plant species cover over 50% of the project area (Ref 2, 3, 4). Bird diversity and numbers are also increasing, with species like white-breasted kingfishers, green-winged teals, and crested guinea-fowls returning to the area (ibid.). Additionally, there has been a significant improvement in water quality (ibid.).

A small biodiversity park was established in Härlanda Park, an old prison complex which today houses a culture centre, a pre-school and office space. The area was previously used as a small lily garden, but this project implements more biodiversity-promoting features such as a bee hive, varied flowers and trees, different types of soil and insect hotels. The municipal real estate company Higab owns the park and partnered with Stadskupan, which works with urban beekeeping, biodiversity, and rewilding, to design and create the park. They also involved Vägen ut! (translates to "the way out"), a social enterprise that employs people who are far from the labour market due to substance abuse issues to help maintain the park in a socially inclusive way. The park has pedagogic features and events for local businesses and organisations as well as the public. The beehive was established in 2022, while the entire biodiversity park was established in 2023. The project will go on for three years and be evaluated yearly. [Ref. 1, 2, 3].

This project, implemented in several schools across Fort-de-France in 2018, focuses on creating arboretums in schools to educate children about Martinique's native natural heritage and raise awareness of biodiversity loss. An arboretum is a curated collection of trees selected for scientific, conservation or public enjoyment.
The initiative, led by the Martinican National Botanical Conservation, is supported technically by the municipal landscaping department and administratively by the city of Fort-de-France and the Martinican School Rectorate. It includes three main activities: a seminar on Martinique's rich yet fragile botanical heritage, an excursion into a forest, and a tree planting event at schools featuring native or endangered plant species. The program has reached at least six schools in and around Fort-de-France.
(Ref. 1,2,5)

Parque Lácides Segovia is an urban park located on Isla de Manga in Cartagena, Colombia. The park was inaugurated and revitalizated in June 2014 to serve as a multifunctional green space promoting cultural, social, and environmental activities. Named after General Lácides Segovia, a notable figure in Cartagena's history, the park aimed to provide a family-friendly and culturally enriching environment (ref 1). The primary goal was to transform a neglected urban area into a dynamic public space that fosters community interaction and enhances local culture. The park aimed to create a safe, inclusive, and accessible environment for residents of all ages, promoting social integration and cultural activities. Additionally, the project sought to establish a green area contributing to the ecological health of the city through urban greenery (ref 1, 2).
The first revitalization in 2014 involved facilities, planting native trees, and setting up public amenities such as Wi-Fi, seating, and cultural spaces(1, 2, 3).
This new revitalization in 2024, led by the local government of Cartagena, will focus on enhancing the infrastructure of both the park and the surrounding sports area in Manga to improve sustainability. The project has an estimated budget of approximately USD 675,000. The improvement works to provide better facilities and infrastructure to support recreational and sports activities, benefiting the community and promoting a healthier urban environment (ref 6). The park is essential for the community; it was recently the subject of several citizen science projects led by the Montessori School, including research identifying the park's ecosystem services (ref 3).

The Three Mile Creek Hydrological Restoration project is taking place in one historic channel of the Three Mile Creek, located east of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, and covering approximately 1,800 linear feet (Ref 3). This project, led by the City of Mobile, aims to remove sediment from the stream channel. This segment of the Creek was bypassed with a straight channel in the early 1980s to control flooding in the area, thus accelerating the accumulation of sediments in the historic channel (Ref 1).
The project's goal is to restore and maintain the natural flow to the historic channel and create a connection to the City and County's Blueway initiatives (Ref 3). This will improve habitat conditions and water quality and help to protect the area’s estuarine and marine water resources (Ref 8). It will also contribute to revitalizing the Three Mile Creek Watershed and provide increased recreational opportunities for citizens, like kayaking and canoeing (Ref 6). Construction work occurred in 2022 and 2023 (Ref 3).
The Three Mile Creek Hydrological Restoration is a key component of the Mobile Bay Shore Habitat Conservation and Acquisition Initiative, which focuses on acquiring, restoring, and preserving habitats, including riparian, wetland, and upland areas that support various fish and wildlife species affected by the environmental disasters of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that occurred in 2010 (Ref 1). The project spans three critical areas: 450 acres within the Three Mile Creek Watershed (as detailed in this project profile), 300 acres in the Dog River Watershed, and 40 acres of bay shore property in the Garrows Bend Watershed (with the latter two areas being part of separate initiatives) (Ref 4).

The intervention of the Ecological Park of La Molina is an urban-landscape design project developed between the San Martín de Porres University, through the IVUC, the Institute of Housing, Urban Planning and Construction, and the Municipality of La Molina (7). This is the first ecological park in the city of Lima, located in a characteristic ecosystem such as Las Lomas, between 600-1000 m.a.s.l. (1). It is a natural area that is part of the hill system of Villa María del Triunfo, located in the Subtropical Coastal Desert ecoregion, and is part of the Regional Conservation Area ‘Sistema de Lomas de Lima’ (7). The City Council decided to open this space in 2022 to the public, as a 200-hectare area, designed to bring people closer to nature, through outdoor activities and environmental education about its fauna, flora and microclimates (1). Thus, citizens can enjoy a recreational area with multi-purpose spaces and sports circuits; a cultural area where workshops and an open-air amphitheatre are held; an ecological interpretation area with exhibition galleries and an interpretative route; and an administrative and control area (1). The park also envisages reforestation efforts in areas that are currently arid and infertile to convert them into green areas for the enjoyment of citizens (1). In 2023, conservation efforts were reinforced for an additional 50 hectares, due to the danger posed by encroachment and land trafficking (4).

Maskinparken is a new park covering 3700 m2 in the Lindholmen district, a new neighbourhood in a previous industrial/harbour area [Ref. 5]. The park is described as a well-needed green oasis or green lung in the developing area. The park finished construction in 2022 and is intended to provide access to green space for people living and working nearby. It is also designed as a blue-green stormwater management solution, where about 500 m3 of rainwater can be stored in the lower areas during heavy rainfall. Stormwater will be leaked from surrounding grey areas to the park to protect them from flooding. The Swedish National Board of Housing, Building and Planning (Boverket) has highlighted the park as a good example of climate adaptation in urban planning. The park has a variety of plants such as different tree species and flowering meadows, and plants that can withstand being soaked in the lower areas. Plants can grow in different landscape structures, such as hills and a pergola. The park also has amenities such as benches and lights, which are designed to mirror the style of the surrounding, older industrial brick buildings [Ref. 1-4].

Two new wetlands were established in Dodder Valley Park as part of the Dublin Urban Rivers Life Project (DURL). This project aimed to create integrated constructed wetlands (ICWs) at strategic locations in South Dublin County to purify wastewater and storm-water before it discharged into rivers.
The ICWs consisted of a series of cells resembling shallow ponds, typically 200 to 300 mm deep. Heavily planted with specific vegetation, these cells treated water by removing nutrients and harmful impurities, resulting in cleaner, purer water being discharged. The water flowing into the wetlands came from wastewater of misconnected appliances and storm-water pipes located under public roads, which collected rainwater from roads, footpaths, and the roofs and patios of houses.
These wetlands also provided important benefits, including flood alleviation, bioretention of particulates and nutrients, improved habitat conditions, and enhanced biodiversity. The project aimed to promote the relationship between green infrastructure and public well-being, creating a complex biological system that supports a diverse range of plants, animals, microorganisms, and hopefully attracts frogs, newts, and birds.
To increase native biodiversity, the wetlands were designed with pollinator-friendly plants and trees, making them visually appealing for park users and the public. A Wetland Planting Day took place on September 9, 2022, with over 40 participants, including residents and representatives from local organizations. This phase of the project fulfilled not only the objectives of the LIFE project but also those of the River Basin Masin Management Plan 2022–2027, the Water Framework Directive, the Climate Change Action Plan, the Floods Directive. (1, 2, 5)

The project at Poetto Beach in Cagliari, Italy, implemented by the municipality of Cagliari, began in 2022. It focuses on protecting and restoring the dune system while raising public awareness about the importance of preserving the coastal ecosystem. The project recognizes the delicate balance between environmental preservation and public enjoyment of Poetto Beach.
Key activities include installing barriers and signs to prevent trampling and littering, modifying beach access points to reduce erosion, and implementing significant interventions to restore the beach. These interventions involve strengthening anti-erosion measures with dune confinement and sand retention systems, as well as creating natural barriers (natural repopulation of native plants ) to protect the seashore. Public education initiatives aim to encourage responsible beach use and enhance understanding of the dunes' fragility. Additionally, new access walkways will be installed, and existing ones will be improved, including the creation of four wheelchair-accessible pathways to the water, designed for easy entry.
This comprehensive plan for protecting and enhancing Poetto's environmental resources is valued at €945,000 and is funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Overall, the goal is to enhance environmental quality, promote sustainable beach use, and prevent both natural and economic losses. By balancing enjoyment of Poetto's natural resources with their protection, the project aims to ensure the long-term preservation of this valuable coastal area (Ref. 1, 2 & 4).

The Cartagena-Barranquilla Road Corridor project, led by the National Infrastructure Agency (Agencia Nacional de Infraestructura (ANI)), covers 146.7 km to enhance connectivity between Cartagena and Barranquilla (ref 2). While primarily a transportation initiative, the project stands out for its focus on environmental conservation and community development. A major goal is the restoration of ecosystems and biodiversity protection. To this end, over 40,000 mangrove seedlings have been planted in the 34.13-hectare Ciénaga de la Virgen, a vital coastal wetland in Cartagena. These mangroves play a crucial role in restoring habitats, capturing carbon, and acting as natural flood barriers, thereby safeguarding nearby communities (ref 1,4,6). The project also tackles hazards like wildlife-vehicle collisions and habitat fragmentation. Seven wildlife crossings have been built to facilitate the safe movement of species, including the endangered Blue Crab (Cardisoma guanhumi) in the Ciénaga de Mallorquín. These crossings are essential for preserving local wildlife (ref 1,7).
In terms of socio-economic impact, the project has created over 9,000 jobs and established six bioclimatic nurseries, which provide sustainable livelihoods for communities in La Boquilla, Villa Gloria, Tierra Baja, and Puerto Rey. These nurseries support mangrove restoration and offer local people opportunities to participate in planting, monitoring, and maintenance activities. This approach fosters a circular economy, empowering community members, both men and women, to engage in sustainable economic practices (ref 1,2,6).
Overall, the Cartagena-Barranquilla Road Corridor is more than a transport project; it acts as a green corridor with a comprehensive approach that combines environmental conservation, hazard mitigation, and socio-economic development.