Protection of natural ecosystems

The stretch of the Great Lakes basin ecosystem from southern Lake Huron through western Lake Erie forms a unique urban refuge where life thrives with beauty and resilience. Known as Metropolitan Detroit, this region is where the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and many partners are working to create The Great Lakes Way by connecting 160 miles of greenways and 156 miles of water trails (1).
The vision for the Great Lakes Way project is to ensure that all residents and visitors of southeast Michigan—people of all ages, backgrounds, ethnicities, abilities, and interests—feel connected to the water resources, welcomed on its trails, and able to enjoy the benefits and opportunities these access points provide (1). To bring this vision to life, the project plans to link 160 miles of greenways and 156 miles of blueways, connecting people to a range of world-class freshwater, wildlife, and recreational opportunities. These include fishing areas, bird migration pathways, parks, working waterways, preserved woodlands, and restored wetlands (2).
The Great Lakes Way project connects existing assets, supports accessibility and equity, and promotes the Great Lakes Way to both residents and visitors through marketing and communication efforts (2). There are 26 points of interest that will serve as connection hubs along the Great Lakes Way (2). In Detroit specifically, the focus is on connecting 13 culturally or historically significant destinations, as well as locations known for their environmental and ecological importance or as regional landmarks (2).
Rich in world-class fisheries, migratory flyways, parks, urban centers, small towns, preserved old-growth woodlands, and restored wetlands, the Great Lakes Way offers unique experiences that can only be found here. By uniting the natural and cultural assets the Great Lakes Way designation aims to emphasize and expand the essential linkages needed to further connect this remarkable region. (2,3)

Sri Lanka faces multiple natural hazards, including tropical storms, flash floods, and landslides. As the country's urban population has grown, development projects have encroached on wetlands, compromising their natural flood protection, air and water purification, and carbon storage capabilities. Additionally, hilly regions are at risk of landslides, particularly during the monsoon season, posing significant threats to vulnerable communities (4).
To address these challenges, the World Bank and the Sri Lankan government collaborated on the Metro Colombo Urban Development Project. This initiative focused on nature-based solutions (NBS) as cost-effective and sustainable approaches to risk management (4). By strengthening natural processes and ecosystem services, the project aimed to mitigate hazards such as floods, erosion, and landslides (4). Technical assessments by the World Bank highlighted the importance of wetlands in flood protection, leading to efforts to protect and restore 20 square kilometres of freshwater lakes, wetlands, and swamps (1, 4).
The project supported the Sri Lankan government in reducing flooding in the Colombo Water Basin and enhanced local authorities' capacity to manage infrastructure and services. It prioritised metropolitan investments to mitigate the physical and socioeconomic impacts of flooding and aimed to build long-term capacity for urban management and local service delivery (6).

Across Detroit, neglected properties and vacant lots are a common sight (1). Nearly three-quarters of Detroit residents report that there is currently deterioration—defined in the survey as a building or property visibly declining due to long-term neglect—in their neighborhoods (1). One organization, Rescue MI Nature Now, a Michigan nonprofit, is dedicated to transforming these neglected areas into beautiful, functional spaces that benefit both people and wildlife (2).
In 2022, the organization purchased property from the Detroit Land Bank that was marked for demolition (3). Following extensive renovations, the building—now named the Innovative Youth Studio—has become a hub for multiple community initiatives. These include a community garden across the street, a culinary studio that teaches young people how to prepare nutritious meals, a pollinator studio that educates on the critical role pollinators play in the food chain, and a hydroponic studio where plants are grown using nutrient-rich water instead of soil (3).
The pollinator project, developed in partnership with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, supports small bee colonies by planting areas with trees, flowers, and native plants (2). To further enhance biodiversity and support butterflies, bees, and birds, Rescue MI Nature Now partnered with Bowling Green State University to gain insights into pollinator biodiversity and habitat potential (2). Through this initiative, the organization aims to raise awareness about pollinators, highlight their positive impact, offer guidance on creating pollinator-friendly spaces at home and enhance the quality of life for local residents and communities (2).
Additionally, the organization runs a Sustainable Youth Stewardship Program, where young people learn to garden, grow trees, identify various plants and invasive species, and practice conservation skills such as creating pollinator habitats and managing community gardens (3).

The Waliwa project, launched in 2017 by the municipality of Sainte-Luce, is a collaborative effort dedicated to restoring marine biodiversity, enhancing the ecological balance of the bay area, revitalizing the local ecosystem and supporting sustainable economic activities. By focusing on marine biodiversity conservation, Waliwa addresses several critical environmental challenges. The project helps mitigate coastline erosion, support the blue economy through artisanal fishing and tourism, and foster an environmentally friendly culture among the local community.
So far, the Waliwa project has implemented three initiatives: it restored the Gros Raisin backshore to address erosion and provide nesting sea turtles with protected space (Ref 4). The project also intervened to restore the Pont Café pond, which was covered in Salvinia Molesta, preventing the intake of oxygen and hampering its role as a water filter, habitat for species and flood regulator .
Furthermore, the project has conducted studies and raised awareness about the challenges posed by wastewater management on the health of municipal water bodies. Through these efforts, Waliwa is working to create a more sustainable and resilient marine environment for future generations. (Ref 4, 5, 6; 12)

The Acropora Project is a coral restoration initiative launched in 2015 by the Martinican Regional Directorate of Environment, Planning, and Housing, primarily implemented by the nonprofit organization Assomer. It focuses on two critically endangered Caribbean coral species: Acropora cervicornis and Acropora palmata, as classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. While Acropora palmata thrives on the Atlantic seabed of Martinique, Acropora cervicornis had seemingly vanished from local waters by 2007, despite previously providing crucial habitats for marine life. However, this species was rediscovered in 2013 at Loup Caravelle on the Atlantic side of Martinique.
The initiative began by extracting cuttings from both species at Loup Caravelle and nurturing them at a separate site in Le Diamant. In 2019, these corals were transplanted to three locations on the seabed of Sainte-Luce, demonstrating surprising growth patterns despite the site's low to medium environmental quality.
The project's primary aim was to prevent the permanent disappearance of both coral species through spatial replication techniques, including cutting and transplantation. Particular attention was given to enhancing the genetic variability and range of Acropora cervicornis. The initiative also aimed to raise awareness about current coral conservation challenges.
Additionally, the project included a research component that contributed to a better understanding of environmental conservation and the restoration of Acropora cervicornis populations. Unfortunately, a temperature increase at the end of 2023 resulted in the decimation of all corals at the transplant sites. (Ref. 1 -5)

The Swedish Geotechnical Institute, a government agency, and the county administrative boards in Västra Götaland and Scania are running a project which tests methods to prevent erosion of coastal salt meadows. Erosion risks destroying unique ecosystems, and the aim is to develop cost-efficient, nature-based mitigation methods that can be replicated in other sites with similar problems. The project is part of an EU-funded Interreg North Sea project called MAinstreaming NAture BAsed Solutions through COASTal systems (MANABAS COAST), which involves other countries in the region [Ref. 1, 5]. Four different salt meadows are included in the Swedish part of the project. The sites are called pilot areas and are meant to test and showcase NBS to inform policy and develop methods that can be used in larger scales in the future. One of the sites is located at Glose in Kungälv municipality within the Gothenburg FUA [Ref. 2-4]. Here, the biodiversity of a salt meadow used for grazing and the adjacent coastal waters are threatened by erosion. According to a new management plan, NBS such as natural barriers will be implemented to break waves and halt erosion, preserving the ecosystems, improving water quality and ensuring the land continued use as a pasture for grazing cattle [Ref. 4].

Booterstown Marsh, the only remaining saltmarsh on the south shore of Dublin Bay, plays a crucial role in the Dublin Bay Protection Plan. As part of South Dublin Bay's protected landscape, this unique 4.3-hectare brackish water marsh provides vital environmental and educational value within an urban setting. It supports three key habitats, ranging from freshwater to saltwater, creating essential feeding and roosting grounds for an array of migratory birds. The marsh attracts numerous bird species, including Moorhen, Reed Bunting, Sedge Warbler, Teal, Snipe, Lapwing, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Dunlin, and Brent Geese, establishing it as the only bird sanctuary in South Dublin Bay.
Booterstown Marsh’s ecological significance is underscored by its inclusion in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Biodiversity Action Plan 2021-2025: Nature Recovery, Restoration & Reconnection. Managed by the Biodiversity Section of the council, this initiative focuses on protecting and enhancing Booterstown Marsh as part of a broader effort to restore natural habitats across the area. The council’s project addresses key factors in biodiversity loss—such as land use pressures, climate change, and invasive species—by implementing an annual monitoring program to prevent deterioration of critical EU Annex habitats and species.
An Taisce, a local NGO has managed the marsh reserve since the 1970s, dedicating efforts to conservation and public education. This habitat, along with other local ecosystems like the wetlands at Ballycorus and woodlands at Loughlinstown, serves as an essential natural defense against climate change, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and helping stabilize local landscapes by slowing floodwaters in catchment areas.(1-6)

The Far West Detroit neighborhood faces significant challenges with its aging infrastructure. The neighborhood’s stormwater and sewer systems are combined into a single system that is only capable of handling a limited volume. During heavy rain events, the system's capacity is exceeded, causing excess stormwater and untreated sewage to overflow into the Rouge River, which negatively impacts the environment (Ref. 1).
Detroit is investing $40 million in a transformative stormwater management system in the Far West neighborhood near Rouge Park. Described by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department as the largest project of its kind, it will redirect 98 million gallons of rainwater and snowmelt into two new detention basins and a renovated sewer system. The new wastewater system is expected to significantly reduce water volumes in Detroit’s combined sewer system during heavy rainfall and to provide flood relief for approximately 1,200 homes that have experienced flooding in recent years. This expansion, informed by community feedback, marks one of the city's most notable investments in green infrastructure to improve its overextended wastewater management system.
The project has been planned through extensive studies and community coordination since 2016, with construction set to occur in three phases, extending through 2026. Crews broke ground on the South Basin, North Basin, and sewer overhaul in July 2022, and progress is reportedly on track. In addition to the basins, the stormwater management initiative includes neighborhood improvements to enhance recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. Planned enhancements in Rouge Park will introduce wetland spaces with native flora, creating greener, more inviting areas in the community for residents to enjoy (Ref. 2).

Located in the municipality of Morne Rouge, the Domaine d’Émeraude was once an agricultural site but was transferred to the Martinique Regional Natural Park (PNRM) in the early 2000s. It underwent significant renovations in 2005 to transform it into a sanctuary for Martinican biodiversity, reflecting the need to protect and conserve the island's unique ecosystems. In 2011, it opened its doors to the public, serving as an important educational resource that raises awareness about the island's historical, natural, and cultural heritage (Refs 4, 7, 8).
Today, the site encompasses 25 hectares protected from anthropogenic pressures and is primarily characterized by a humid tropical forest environment, which makes up 80% of the area (Ref 7). It is home to over a hundred native species (Ref 4) and offers nearly 4 kilometers of walking trails accessible to both adults and children, complete with recreational stops and educational amenities.
The Domaine d’Émeraude was designed to enhance the conservation of native species while developing sustainable economic activities that benefit the local community. Moreover, the site emphasizes the well-being that forested areas provide to visitors, highlighting that "the air can be heard, the smells can be savored, and the sounds can be experienced. The freshness of the place is a source of change and relaxation..." (Ref 4).

In Berlin, at the palace park and garden Charlottenburg, approx. 40 to 70 horned Gotland sheep are used to maintain the grass fields and meadows. The project is part of a garden and landscape conservation programme that is to be seen as a contribution to practical nature conservation by the Prussian Palaces and Gardens Foundation Berlin-Brandenburg, which manages the park. From May to November, the sheep are grazing on the palace property, whereby the exact length of time the sheep are kept and the duration of the project depend largely on the developing weather conditions. This is because prolonged drought significantly reduces the growth of the grasses. (Ref. 1)
The garden had already been grazed earlier in its history, but no longer in the post-war period. The garden was created by Electress Sophie Charlotte in 1695. (Ref. 3) Since 2018, sheep can be found again in the park space where they graze on extensive meadows with groups of chestnut, lime, maple, oak, beech and solitary trees. At the beginning of May, they move into their first station there, usually the meadow in front of the late baroque-classical Belvedere tea house. Once this has been grazed, they move on to the next meadow; with an area of 55 hectares, there is plenty of pasture. (Ref. 4)
Sheep from his flock also graze on the green flat roof of the Max-Schmeling-Halle in Pankow, the palace garden of Sanssouci and other public and private patches of land around Berlin. Reasons to use sheep over machinery for the maintenance of the park space are monetary and a reduce loss of biodiversity. Sheep are cheaper compared to machinery, the needed labour and wear, and also don't kill insects living in the fields as machinery does. Furthermore, the sheep dung fertilises the grass area, sheep limit the spread of invasive plants and are more gentle to the soil. At the same time, palace visitors enjoy observing the sheep and can learn about them in guided tours. (Ref. 4; Ref. 6)