Provision of labour

Earthworks Urban Farm, located on Detroit's east side, is a pioneering initiative of the Capuchin Soup Kitchen that integrates sustainable agriculture, social justice, and community development. The Capuchin Soup Kitchen is a religiously affiliated soup kitchen and non-profit organization located in Detroit, Michigan. It was founded by the Capuchin friars to provide food for the poor during the Great Depression and is sponsored by the Capuchin Franciscan Province of St. Joseph. The farm was founded in 1998 by Brother Rick Samyn, and began as a small garden focused on educating local youth about healthy food and its origins. Over time, this modest garden expanded into a 2.5-acre urban farm, including 1.5 certified organic acres—making it Detroit's only certified organic farm.
The farm’s growth included adding a large plot behind its partner, Gleaners Community Food Bank, as well as establishing an apiary with up to 40 hives, a greenhouse for transplant production, a hoop house for year-round crops, and a community orchard. Earthworks' work has evolved along with its physical space, significantly extending its reach.
A wide variety of vegetables are cultivated here without herbicides or pesticides, with harvests distributed to local residents and included in meals at the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, ensuring fresh, nutritious food for those in need. Beyond agriculture, Earthworks serves as a community hub, engaging volunteers, offering educational tours, and supporting thousands of community gardens across Detroit with transplants and expertise.
Committed to evolving its programs, Earthworks has experimented with mobile markets, community-supported agriculture (CSA), and local market stands, demonstrating its dedication to meeting community needs through sustainable practices.
(Ref.1,2)

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.).

The Çukurova University Botanical Garden was initiated in 1972 by the Department for Landscape Architecture to protect and conserve the rich native and non-native biodiversity of the region for future generations (Ref. 5,9). Its establishment responds to the lack of Botanical Gardens in Türkiye despite the country's great diversity. The Garden also wants to offer protection for increasingly threatened species in the face of rapid and uncontrolled urbanization (Ref. 5,9). Being located close to two Deltas and an important agricultural region, the collection also aims to include a great number of wetland and agricultural species, drawing public attention to the importance of these ecosystems (Ref. 6). As such, the University invites every school in Adana to visit and participate in its ongoing educational activities and primary school children are offered hands-on gardening programmes (Ref. 1,2). Furthermore, visitors can immerse themselves and learn about various vegetation zones, including endemic maquis, where stairs, walking paths and information boards have been installed (Ref. 4). The University maintains research activities in the Botanical Garden and in on site laboratories, which regularly host interns (Ref. 4). To ensure the stready supply of plant material for landscaping and education, nurseries have been set up and in 2020 a 250 m² medicinal and aromatic plant greenhouse was added where students of the Faculty of Agriculture are trained and endemic species grown (Ref. 9,10).

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)

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 Avas Tomato Community Garden, located in a formerly neglected area of the Avas hill of Miskolc, has transformed from an overgrown, rat-infested, and litter-strewn space into a thriving community garden. Just a few years ago, this site was a source of concern for local residents, plagued by issues such as homelessness and illegal dumping. Today, however, it stands as a flourishing green space with fresh garden beds, composting boxes, a pavilion offering shade to gardeners, and a renewed sense of community spirit.
The seeds of the Avas Tomato Community Garden project were planted in the fall of 2014, led by Zsolt Jakab and Ákos Káli-Nagy. The initiative began with the establishment of the "Panelkertész" club, and by 2016, with the support of a local representative, the garden began to take shape. The gardening community that blossomed in the spring of 2017 was built upon the strong relationships within the established Avas neighborhood. Working together, members constructed the garden beds according to a precise schedule and, through frequent discussions, developed a close-knit community. The garden now consists of 20 large and 6 smaller beds, with 18 families actively growing vegetables, herbs, and spices, alongside raspberry and strawberry plants by the fence.
The community has greatly benefited from both the professional support and supply donations provided by the Miskolc Ecological Institute Foundation. Additionally, the Dialóg Association has played a key role in organizing the garden users and fostering collaboration. Initially, Dialóg appointed a coordinator for the garden, but this responsibility has since been handed over to the gardeners themselves. Owned by the Municipality of Miskolc, the Avas Tomato Community Garden continues to thrive as a model of successful urban gardening, uniting people with a shared passion for gardening and a commitment to building a strong, supportive community.
(Ref.1,2,3)

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).

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)

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)

San Borja has 1,347,000 square metres of green areas, equivalent to 12 square metres of green space per inhabitant, one of the highest ratios in the capital (1, 2). In total, there are 75 parks within its jurisdiction (1, 3). However, in recent years it has consolidated its role as a metropolitan urban centre and has become denser with new multi-family construction projects replacing traditional single-family homes with gardens (2). As a result, tree cover has decreased, affecting the creation of shaded areas and air quality, putting the health of residents at risk (2). Nevertheless, this municipality has reaffirmed its participation in the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy, committing to implement policies and take measures to reduce (or limit where appropriate) greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for the impacts of climate change, as it is vulnerable to heat waves and droughts, as well as high wind and thunderstorm hazards and fires (1). Thus, since 2014, 56,000 trees have been planted, which is one tree for every two residents in the district (2). The mitigation programme includes 40 measures, including the creation and conservation of green areas, which involve planting trees to create urban forests to help regulate temperature, prevent heat waves, improve CO2 absorption, and preserve endemic species (1). In addition, the programme promotes the use of organic farming practices and the propagation of plants using natural methods (1).
One of the sectors where there has been the most progress is Sector 12, with 31% of the green areas created (3). Within this sector, the district is planting and creating an urban forest within the premises of the Army Headquarters, better known as ‘Pentagonito’. Its objective is to educate neighbours and promote greater environmental awareness (3, 4, 5).