Ongoing

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 Köprüköy Mosque in Adana, commonly named "green mosque", is one of a kind in Türkiye (Ref. 2,5). Its building and minaret are almost entirely covered by poison ivy and appear in vivid green colour from afar. Founded in 1929, it had to be remodelled in the early 60s as it couldn't sufficiently accommodate worshippers in the growing district. The mosque was then entirely built and rebuilt by the community, with its maintenance overseen by the mosque's protection association (Ref. 4). In the 70s, the ivy was planted and has since helped to protect the building from environmental stressors and keep visitors inside the garden and mosque cool during the summer heat (Ref. 4,5,6) Furthermore, the mosque’s well-maintained garden, home to around 280 species, is adored by local, national, and international visitors and tourists, as well as the media (Ref. 1,3,7). Frequent maintenance and rotation of the garden's flowers keep its appearance and function intact, one of which is the profound impact on visitors’ well-being, with many praising the unique atmosphere of the mosque that evokes peace, comfort, and spirituality (Ref. 1,3,4).
During COVID-19, the mosque could only host worshippers during praying hours, after which it quickly continued to bring people back together to garden, rest and socialize throughout the day (Ref. 1).

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 first medicinal plant library in Martinique was created by the Ypiranga Martinique association, which inaugurated the project in 2019. The initiative was developed to preserve and revitalize traditional knowledge of medicinal plants in Martinique, integrating agroecology , modern scientific understanding, and ancestral practices.
The project is located on land provided by the municipality in the Tivoli neighborhood, and it serves as an educational resource, a functional pharmacy, and includes a small shared vegetables garden. Visitors, local residents, and researchers can access information on over 150 native Caribbean plants and their medicinal properties. The site includes two educational trails: one following the river that crosses the garden and a sensory trail designed to help visitors "reconnect with nature." Each plant is identified with information boards detailing its medicinal uses, including whether these uses are scientifically validated.
The project also aims to address social exclusion by offering reintegration workshops to troubled teenagers and the unemployed.
The project was financed through a combination of sources: an EU-funded call for projects, a crowdfunding campaign, and regional and national public subsidies.
As a result of its success, in 2021 the initiative was formally replicated with the support of the Caribbean Interreg "OSAIN" project, which led to the creation of 14 additional plant libraries in schools and public spaces. Volunteers and community-based efforts continue to sustain the project, and it has become a model for similar initiatives. (Ref. 1,2,4,5,6,7)

The "Recuperación del Laguito" project aims to restore El Laguito, a coastal water body in Cartagena, Colombia, severely affected by sedimentation that blocks natural water exchange with the Caribbean Sea. This blockage has led to stagnant, low-oxygen water, degrading water quality and aquatic ecosystems (ref 1). The project seeks to restore El Laguito’s environmental and social functions by reestablishing seawater flow, reducing sediment impact, improving water quality, and reviving the ecosystem. Additionally, it aims to provide data to guide long-term solutions for sustainably managing this community resource (ref 1).
The project is a response to recurring ecological crises, such as frequent fish die-offs due to low oxygen levels. Local residents initially took matters into their own hands, manually attempting to reopen the channel. The formal intervention started following a 2019 directive from the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, outlining a phased strategy: short-term installation of an axial pump for water exchange, medium-term studies for a permanent fix, and long-term construction plans (ref 3). Currently, the project involves using heavy machinery to clear sediment and allow seawater inflow, supported by the Gobernación de Bolívar, Cardique, and the Cartagena Mayor's Office. This phase serves as a transitional step towards a more sustainable, permanent solution (ref 2). The project’s impacts focus on ecological restoration. Short-term benefits include better oxygenation, reduced harmful algal blooms, and revived marine life. Long-term goals encompass sustainable water management, ecosystem stabilization, tourism enhancement, and the development of recreational and sports facilities in harmony with environmental conservation (ref 4).

Over the past two decades, as Phoenix’s population has surged since the 1990s, large expanses of farmland have been paved over to make way for urban development. This transformation has increasingly disconnected the city from its agricultural roots. In 2000, Janna Anderson recognized a growing need for local farms to strengthen their ties with the community and for increased access to fresh, locally sourced produce. With a vision to reconnect the community with its agricultural heritage, she purchased a historic orchard property in southern Phoenix, near South Mountain, in 2011. The property, which included a 1918 adobe home, was transformed into a thriving mixed-fruit orchard.
At Pinnacle Farms, Janna planted over 1,200 trees, including peaches, apricots, and rare Maktoom Dates, which were brought to the U.S. from Iraq in 1910. These heritage crops have unique flavors and textures not commonly found in grocery stores. In 2015, the farm became certified organic, underscoring Janna’s commitment to sustainable farming practices. Her focus is on cultivating varieties that are uniquely suited to the arid Southwest climate, using methods that conserve water and promote soil health.
Janna’s approach to farming also highlights the potential of heritage varieties to support food security in the desert. By growing these rare and resilient crops, she not only preserves biodiversity but also brings attention to how such practices can contribute to a more sustainable, local food system. Pinnacle Farms serves as a living reminder of Phoenix’s agricultural history, a place where fertile soil and sustainable farming practices continue to thrive. The farm embodies the deep agricultural roots of the region, connecting Phoenix’s past to its future and proving that the city’s rich farming tradition is far from lost. (1, 2, 6, 8)

Maya’s Farm is a small, CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) sustainable urban farm located in Phoenix, Arizona, where urban development has limited farmland availability. In 2020 alone, Phoenix lost nearly 200 acres of farmland to urban sprawl, putting farms like Maya’s at risk. The farm faced potential closure until the City of Phoenix intervened, providing funding through the Farm Preservation Program, which established the city's first urban agricultural conservation easement. Maya's Farm strives to inspire a local appreciation for sustainable food and to bring renewed value to local food systems.
The farm’s mission is to provide accessible, fresh, locally grown produce to the community while promoting awareness of healthy, sustainable food practices. Through its CSA program, members receive a weekly produce box and have opportunities to come together, honor food traditions, and share stories over locally harvested food. As a CCOF (California Certified Organic Farmers) certified organic farm, Maya’s Farm is committed to organic practices that exclude GMOs, nurture the soil, foster biodiversity, and innovate growing systems. These methods result in healthy soil and cleaner air, contribute to carbon sequestration, and support critical wildlife habitats.
To broaden educational outreach, Maya’s Farm offers several programs that promote sustainable food practices, including its CSA program, an edible classroom series, and a partnership with Arizona State University (ASU). Through this ASU partnership, students gain hands-on experience by participating in daily farm operations.
Building stronger community connections is another cornerstone of Maya's Farm’s work. The farm collaborates with local restaurants, farmers' markets, and community groups to expand its impact. Maya’s Farm, ASU, and Arizona Sustainability Alliance launched an agrivoltaics project with solar-shaded crops. (2, 9, 11, 13, 15)

The D'Olive Creek Restoration project is designed to address the significant environmental challenges facing the D’Olive Creek Watershed and its tributaries (Tiawasee and Joe’s Branch), primarily caused by increased urbanization. Over the last several decades, the area has experienced severe erosion, sedimentation, and habitat degradation due to stormwater runoff from new residential and commercial developments. This runoff has led to stream channel instability, loss of wetlands, and impaired water quality in both D'Olive Creek and Mobile Bay, threatening aquatic and wildlife habitats (Ref 2).
The project involves restoring degraded streams and implementing management measures to reduce the downstream impacts within the watershed. Key activities include stormwater retrofits, stream restorations, and continuous monitoring. These efforts aim to stabilize stream segments and significantly reduce sediment loading into the northeast quadrant of Mobile Bay. This is crucial for improving water quality and clarity, which is necessary for re-establishing submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) beds that serve as critical nursery areas for shellfish and finfish (Ref 1). By using natural materials like rock and living plants, the project also seeks to create a sustainable and ecologically balanced watershed system (Ref 3).
The anticipated outcomes include enhanced water quality in D'Olive Creek and Mobile Bay, reduced erosion and sedimentation, and the restoration of vital habitats, which will contribute to the region's overall ecological health (Ref 1, 3). This restoration project is part of a broader strategy outlined in the 2002 Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan for the Mobile Bay Estuary (Ref 1).

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, Kunming’s urban planning faced major challenges, including fragmented development, environmental degradation, and limited green spaces (Ref 1). In response, the municipal government launched a series of strategic plans aimed at promoting high-quality urban development and environmental restoration.
Baisha Lake was identified as a key area in these strategies, with plans for Baisha Lake Park first highlighted in 2017 (Ref 2) and reaffirmed in the "Opinions on Supporting High-Quality Development in Kunming" in 2021 (Ref 2). To implement parts of this broader strategy, the government entered into public-private partnerships. In 2018, land development rights for parts of East Baisha Lake were granted to Dahua Group, on the condition that 40% of the area be reserved as green space and that ecological restoration efforts be undertaken (Ref 3, 4).
The Eastside Baisha Lake Park project, launched by Dahua Group in February 2023 (Ref 3, 5), is thus one component of this larger government-led urban renewal effort. The project follows the city's planning framework of “one lake, six zones, 46 scenic nodes” and includes 55 hectares of green space, with 40% designated as parkland. By the end of 2023, 6.5 hectares had been completed, and the south bank of the park opened to the public in September 2023 (Ref 3, 6).
The broader East Baisha Lake area's development was originally planned by the state-owned Kunming Urban Construction Company, but land rights were later transferred to Dahua Group. Thus, while a private developer is leading the construction, the project remains a part of Kunming’s publicly driven strategy to restore the lake and enhance urban livability.

Fondo Unido Chihuahua, in collaboration with its corporate partners, is committed to raising awareness about environmental care and reforestation. One of its flagship initiatives is the annual tree-planting campaign, "Planting Today to Have Oxygen Tomorrow," organized by United Way Chihuahua in Ciudad Juárez. This environmental initiative focuses on improving the quality of different urban green spaces (parks, school grounds, streets) while fostering ecological awareness in vulnerable communities across the city. The primary objective is to plant a significant number of trees throughout Ciudad Juárez, using native species that are water-efficient and well-adapted to the local climate and soil. In 2022 the initiative aimed to reforest 18 parks located mainly in the south-eastern part of this border city with 1,000 trees. In 2023 and 2024 the intervention focused on planting 850 trees scatted all over the city.

The campaign brings together donations and volunteers through partnerships with various stakeholders, including local and regional governments, private companies, community organizations, and the general public.
United Way Chihuahua oversees the planning, coordination, and logistical efforts for the campaign. On planting days, volunteers gather at designated sites, guided by the organization to ensure successful planting efforts and community engagement (Ref 1-4).