Species-focused

The Panke is a watercourse that rises outside Berlin and reaches the urban area of the city, flows through the districts of Pankow and Mitte and flows into the Berlin-Spandau Ship Canal in Wedding. The length of the Panke is around 29 kilometres. Almost the entire length of the Panke in Berlin (around 17.6 km) is to be renaturalised - on the section from the state border in the north of Berlin to its confluence with the Berlin-Spandauer-Schifffahrtskanal (BSSK). The Panke is currently a small watercourse that has been heavily remodelled by humans. In large parts of the watercourse, the banks have been straightened like a canal and reinforced with sheet piling, among other things. Existing riverbed drops and weirs prevent fish from travelling unhindered through the watercourse. Studies on water body (structural) quality, typification and other biological quality characteristics have shown that the Panke has poor status values in the majority of Berlin's sections, e.g. in terms of the fish population. The negative assessment results are primarily attributed to the lack of habitat and structural diversity, the lack of passability of the watercourse and, in some cases, high nutrient loads. (Ref. 1)

The restoration of the river was initiated by the State Berlin, following the European Water Framework Directive. The central aim is to implement flood plains and recreate the pre-straightened water course, to ensure space for flooding, habitats for more diverse flora and fauna, increase water flow for better water quality and create a site for recreation in a densely built city. (Ref. 1; Ref. 2) The project started back in 2003 and is expected to be finished in the 2030s (Ref. 2; Ref. 7).

Ngong is a town in southern Kenya, located near Nairobi in Kajiado County, on the slopes of the Ngong Hills. The municipality has experienced significant development and population growth due to improved infrastructure and social amenities. However, this expansion poses a threat to biodiversity, as increased demand for agricultural land, wood, and raw materials is depleting the area's forests and putting many species at risk of extinction. Overgrazing, illegal logging, invasive species, and climate change-induced extremes like droughts and floods have further exacerbated the situation.

In response, the Rufford Foundation proposed the Improving Ngong Hills Forest Conservation Efforts through Raising Local Community Awareness of Biodiversity Conservation project. The initiative seeks to restore the Ngong Hills forest ecosystem through community-driven conservation. A nursery for native species was established, and tree planting campaigns were conducted in collaboration with national and local governments, community-based organizations, indigenous groups, and schools. Additionally, awareness programs and capacity-building efforts were launched, engaging local schools in restoration activities and organizing workshops to train community members and officials. (Ref. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Perch Creek is one of the many meanders that drain into Dog River (Ref 2), located just west of Mobile Bay (Ref 3). These areas include sensitive, tidally influenced marshes and flats where the brackish water of the Bay meets fresh waters (Ref 1). The Perch Creek Nature Trail & Preserve project aims to protect 96 acres on Perch Creek (Ref 3). It is part of efforts to revitalise Mobile’s coastal community and improve the water quality of the city's urban river (Ref 2), following the devastation of the BP oil disaster in 2010.
The project focuses on two main aspects: creating a low-impact recreational destination to spark economic redevelopment, and preserving Mobile’s coastal wetlands (Ref 1).
The conservation aspect involves wetland acquisition, marsh restoration, and invasive species management, improving water quality in both waterbodies (Ref 1). The area, rich in wildlife, requires habitat protection, including for migrating birds, foxes, alligators, manatees, and bald eagles (Ref 1). Brackish marshes on the property serve as nurseries for fish, while forested areas provide natural corridors for wildlife (Ref 3). The wetlands also play a role in flood control, acting as natural sponges to absorb rising tides and cleanse stormwater runoff before it reaches Mobile Bay (Ref 1). Additionally, they store stormwater, helping mitigate flooding as storms intensify (Ref 3).
The recreational aspect includes developing nature-based recreation, such as nature trails and kayak launches, as well as expanding public access to natural resources (Ref 3). In 2018, the Perch Creek section was added to the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, with educational signage for kayakers (Ref 1).
This comprehensive project preserves vital habitats and flood-absorbing wetlands, while providing outdoor recreation opportunities and supporting the coastal community's recovery (Ref 2). It combines high-quality water resources, wildlife connectivity, scenic beauty, and outdoor recreation (Ref 3).

In 2015, The Greening of Detroit and the Joy-Southfield Community Development Corporation collaboratively installed a bioswale in Stein Park, Detroit, as part of a broader effort to mitigate flooding in the Cody Rouge neighborhood. The area, particularly affected by heavy rains and flooding due to its proximity to the Rouge River, suffered significantly during the 2014 Great Flood, highlighting the need for improved stormwater management. The bioswale, a Green Stormwater Infrastructure (GSI) feature, was designed to capture and infiltrate up to 6,000 gallons of stormwater, diverting it from the city’s aging combined sewer system. By reducing the risk of sewer overflows, this installation also decreases the flow of untreated water into local waterways.

Funded by an $83,000 Kresge Foundation grant, the bioswale incorporates a mixture of native plants, prairie wildflowers, and ornamental grasses to filter sediment and pollutants. In addition to stormwater management, the project aims to enhance community engagement and economic revitalization. Students from Cody DIT High School's Green Team participated in the planting and design process, learning valuable skills in landscape architecture and green infrastructure. The project also ties into the Joy-Southfield CDC's vision of establishing a "green zone" to promote community safety, economic growth, and environmental stewardship.

Future plans include further green infrastructure development, such as additional bioswales and a parking lot with pervious pavers, contributing to Cody Rouge’s transformation into a model neighborhood for green development. This project not only addresses urgent environmental concerns but also fosters community pride, safety, and economic opportunities, positioning the neighborhood as a leader in Detroit’s green infrastructure movement.
(Ref.1-4)

The Park am Gleisdreieck is a public urban park in the city centre of Berlin, spanning more than 30 hectares across three individual sites (Ostpark, Westpark, Flaschenhalspark) on former railway tracks. The landscape of the Park am Gleisdreieck is characterised by the central, extensive lawn and meadow areas, which are bordered by woodland-like areas - the so-called track wilderness - as well as various park trees and crossed by wide paths or old railway tracks. The park space features various recreational activities for sports and play as well as community gardens for intercultural exchange (Ref. 12). Being abandoned after WW II, the land rewilded and after being partially opened to the public in 2011, the primary aim of the maintenance and development measures was to harmonise the interests of nature conservation and recreational use. (Ref. 1; Ref. 3)
Many of the plant species in the Park am Gleisdreieck once travelled a long way by train. This is what makes the biodiversity in the park so special. It is a wild mixture of long-established Berlin plants and exotic species that specialise in dry, nutrient-poor soils. The park is part of Berlin's open space network, which extends from Tiergarten to Schöneberger Südgelände. It therefore makes a significant contribution to connecting habitats. (Ref. 1)
Initiatives of citizens have been working for years for the realisation of a park on the former railroad site at Gleisdreick, and so the residents have been involved in the park planning and design in an intensive dialogue process from the beginning and are still involved in the park management. (Ref. 2) The opening of the park served as a compensation measure for the construction of the urban development projects at Potsdamer Platz and aimed at increasing accessible green space in a densely and rapidly built urban environment. (Ref. 4)

The project to redevelop Archipelagos Square in Cagliari aims to transform this key urban space, which serves as a gateway between the city and its coastal areas, into a more functional and aesthetically pleasing environment. Currently, the area lacks cohesive design, leading to unregulated use and its transformation into an informal parking lot. The redevelopment will address these issues by enhancing the pedestrian experience and reducing vehicular traffic. Improvements in public comfort and safety will include better rainwater drainage, the removal of architectural barriers, and the creation of accessible pathways for all.
This project emphasizes environmental sustainability and the preservation of the local landscape. Key interventions include revitalizing green spaces, safeguarding native vegetation, and removing invasive species. Integrating walking and cycling paths will improve connectivity between the city, Marina Piccola, and Poetto beach, fostering outdoor recreational activities. A designated eco-system filter will recreate the natural dune environment, blending pedestrian areas with the surrounding landscape.
Funded by the Fondo Sviluppo e Coesione (FSC), the project has a total budget of 3 million euros, with construction lasting 10 months starting in October 2023. The redevelopment reflects the broader goals of Cagliari’s administration to promote sustainable urban mobility and improve the public realm, contributing to the city's vision of becoming a hub for nautical sports while enhancing the overall quality of life for residents and visitors (Refs. 1, 2, 3 & 4).

The Metropolitan Linear Park is a project initiated by the national government of Bolivia, funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) (1-8). The proposed park will be located along a disused railway corridor between the cities of La Paz and El Alto, spanning 18.2 km (8, p. 8). The project involves the construction of a linear park, divided into five sections, each with distinct objectives, uses, and designs (8, p. 9). This large-scale initiative aims to improve access to public spaces in La Paz and El Alto, enhance connectivity between the two cities, protect surrounding biodiversity and natural spaces, and strengthen resilience to and mitigate the effects of climate change (3 & 8, pp. 11-12).
To achieve these goals, the project design includes outdoor sports and recreational facilities, pedestrian and cycling circuits, as well as the restoration of parks, squares, and public spaces adjacent to the park corridor (8, p. 9). Some features include balcony corridors, flower and food-producing urban gardens, and viewpoints (5). The project also plans for the re-vegetation of the area with native species and aims to stop the environmental degradation of surrounding natural environments, such as the Pura Pura forest, which has been suffering from ongoing deforestation and waste dumping (8, p. 9). These efforts are expected to increase and support biodiversity in the area (7 & 8, p. 12).
Additionally, the project emphasizes social inclusion, with policies designed to incorporate women, indigenous populations, and persons with disabilities (8, pp. 7-8). The park is intended to raise awareness about climate change and biodiversity, ultimately improving the quality of life and health of nearby residents and the citizens of La Paz and El Alto (8, p. 13).

A new park is being planned for the Cypress Shores area in Mobile (Ref 1). Five civil engineering students from the University of South Alabama contributed to the design of the park (Ref 1). This collaboration offers students practical experience while providing city designers with innovative ideas for the site (Ref 2). The design emphasizes sustainability and cost-effectiveness (Ref 3). The project will feature a small park and boat launch on a 5.6-acre plot (Ref 1) located within a residential neighbourhood (Ref 3).
The park's societal goal is to improve public access to Halls Mill Creek, giving the community a new way to enjoy the waterway, and this focus aligns with the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program (MBNEP) goals (Ref 3). Historically, the property was used as a shipyard with a nearby railroad crossing (Ref 1), marking its transition from an industrial site to a public park.
Several amenities have been identified for the park’s development, including a boat ramp and kayak launch, a boardwalk adapted to sea-level rise, a pavilion and gazebo designed for flood resilience, a wetland nature trail with solar lighting and educational signage, and composting toilet restroom facilities (Ref 3). An armoured shoreline will be implemented to withstand medium water currents, and wave action will be constructed. Additionally, a living shoreline will be restored with local plants (Ref 3). While the project is still in its preliminary design phase, the timeline for completion is estimated at 12 to 18 months (Ref 1). The designers highlighted a potential trade-off, noting that an influx of visitors to the park could disturb the surrounding residential area (Ref 3).

The Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge is a natural oasis in the heart of Lima. It is considered a marsh of international Ramsar importance, as it is home to a large number of species of flora and fauna. It includes 5 bodies of water with about 210 species of birds, 13 species of fish, and 5 species of amphibians and reptiles, among others (1). It was created in 2006, by Supreme Decree N°055-2006-AG, which established the definitive category for the Pantanos de Villa, under the name of The Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge (2). This protected area was established over an area of 263.27 ha, and its main goal is to conserve a representative sample of the Marshes of the Subtropical Pacific Desert, including important plant communities, as well as migratory and resident avifauna, focusing mainly on species with some degree of threat (1, 2, 6).
In 2016, a Master Plan was approved aimed at strengthening the conservation of the biological diversity of this coastal marsh and ensuring conditions to promote inter-institutional cooperation and participatory management, including neighbours, authorities, municipalities and interested institutions (2).
This Master Plan establishes environmental, economic and cultural indicators defined to be met over 5 years. These are focused on protecting water resources, conserving migratory and resident bird species, ensuring the conservation of the cattail, promoting tourism and recreational activities, fostering environmental awareness activities and engaging citizens in the management of the Refuge (2)
This plan seeks to confront a series of threats that endanger the conservation of this ecosystem. Among the main problems are the illegal extraction of natural resources, such as cattail; the improper use of the space for activities such as bonfires, consumption of illicit substances and pet walks; the change in land use due to urban expansion; pollution from effluent discharges and solid waste disposal; and illegal fishing (2)

The Stora Amundö and Billdal archipelago nature reserve is in the southernmost part of the City of Gothenburg. The proximity to the city makes it a popular recreational destination, with about 73000 visitors each year. In 2018, the area was protected as a nature reserve to preserve its recreational, natural and historical values. The status as a nature reserve prohibits any exploitation and other harmful activities in the area. The area of the reserve is 1103 ha, of which 259 ha is land area and the rest is water [Ref. 1-3]. The management of the reserve includes promoting recreational and educational activities by creating new entrances, paths and signs, as well as holding guided tours. The management also includes restoring and improving terrestrial ecosystems such as grasslands through mowing and grazing and deciduous forests through selective clearing. A wetland has been restored to promote biodiversity further [Ref. 2, 4]. The reserve was created and is managed by the City of Gothenburg, the process of creating it involved consultation of stakeholders such as land owners, government agencies and NGO's [Ref. 1]. Some local landowners disagreed with the borders of the nature reserve having an impact on their land, leading to an appeal that was ultimately denied [Ref. 5, 6]