Local wildlife (e.g., birds, pollinators)

The beach of Vétiver, located in the municipality of Case-Pilote, is one of the most important nesting sites for the critically endangered hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) in Martinique. It is also a nesting ground for the green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), another endangered species. As one of the last minimally urbanized beaches in the North Caribbean of Martinique, the site plays a vital role in the conservation of these species. In addition, fishing restrictions in the area significantly reduce the risk of turtle mortality caused by accidental capture in fishing gear, which is the leading cause of human-related sea turtle deaths in the Antilles.
However, the site faces several stressors that hinder successful nesting. The surrounding vegetation is severely degraded due to invasive alien species, and much of the shrub and tree cover has disappeared from the backshore, where turtles prefer to nest. Without adequate vegetation, hatchlings are left exposed to the heat. Additionally, the beach is frequently disturbed by local residents and visitors for recreational activities. With no designated parking area, cars often park directly on the beach, compacting the soil and further limiting the chances for vegetation to recover or turtles to dig nests. This compaction forces turtles to lay their eggs closer to the shoreline, increasing the risk of nests being washed away by heavy swells.
In 2022, the non-profit organization "Asso-mer" and its partners launched the Véti’Vert project on a previously neglected public green space. Through environmental restoration efforts, they created a nesting enclosure on the backshore to mitigate these stressors and improve the conditions for sea turtle nesting. The project also engaged with local residents to increase the chances of success (Refs 1-3).

Medal of Honour Park, located in West Mobile, is the city's second-largest park (Ref 3, video). A City-County partnership is planning to implement significant changes to the park and its amenities (Ref 3). These changes include crowning and sodding the field, surrounded by large oaks, making it an oasis in the middle of the city (Ref 1, Ref 5). The project will focus on upgrading recreational and sports facilities, such as improvements to the golf area (Ref 1), tennis courts, and softball fields (Ref 1, 4). Additionally, the playground will be entirely rebuilt, featuring RSA Tower slides, new drinking fountains, new fencing, and rubber play surfaces for added safety (Ref 3). Cultural and social enhancements are also part of the plan, including upgrades to the amphitheatre (Ref 1). Visitors will enjoy a walking trail that allows them to experience nature while exploring the park. Other amenities receiving upgrades include lighting, wayfinding signage (Ref 1), as well as improvements to the concession stands and restrooms (Ref 4). Traffic circulation within the park will also see enhancements, particularly at the street intersection and surrounding landscaping (Ref 1).
This park is a popular destination, attracting kids and families from all over the region (Ref 3, video). Importantly, it meets the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, ensuring accessibility for everyone (Ref 5).

MINI Ireland, in collaboration with conservation charity Earthwatch Europe, has launched Ireland's first "Tiny Forest" at the Tolka River Project, a community-driven rehabilitation program in Co. Dublin. In a space the size of a tennis court (195m²), nearly 600 native trees have been planted, creating a densely packed, environmentally efficient green area.
This partnership with Earthwatch aims to raise awareness for local environmental projects and foster community bonds. Green spaces like this offer valuable areas for people to connect with nature, exercise, unwind, and reduce stress—one reason the Tolka River Project center was chosen as an ideal location. "Tiny Forests" are remarkable for their impressive efficiency within a small footprint: by planting 600 native trees closely together, the forest grows naturally with increased density, achieving up to 30% more plant density, ten times faster growth, and up to thirty times better carbon dioxide absorption. Over the next three years, this forest is expected to attract more than 500 animal and plant species, transforming into an accessible mini-ecosystem.
The project uses a variety of locally sourced native trees, including silver birch, alder, hazel, hawthorn, and gorse, which together will form the natural layers of a forest. Ireland's first Tiny Forest was planted on March 22, 2023, at the Tolka River Project site in Dublin's Buzzardstown area. The Tiny Forest, located near the center, will serve as a space for reflection and recovery, supporting clients on their journey to rehabilitation. The planting event was a day of celebration, with Tolka River Project clients and MINI Ireland staff working side-by-side to create this thriving green space.. The space is utilized to create recovery-focused programs, including mindfulness and yoga, while functioning as a social gathering area (7).

Mapinguari National Park, located in the Amazon region of Brazil, is a protected area distinguished by its rich biodiversity and vast expanse of untouched tropical rainforest (2). It was officially created on June 5, 2008, by decree, covering an area of 1,776,914.18 hectares (2). The Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) manages the park. It is linked to a management plan encompassing several nearby conservation units and their areas of influence (2, 3). Its main goal is to preserve the valuable natural ecosystems and scenic landscapes of the Purus-Madeira interfluvial region, which includes savanna enclaves (2, 3). The ecoregion where it is located has a high priority for botanical conservation due to parameters such as species richness and endemism (3). Additionally, the area presents great environmental heterogeneity, with several isolated and unique ecosystems, aspects that have been considered for fostering scientific research and public visitation, with programs for environmental education, recreation in contact with nature, and ecotourism (3). On March 8, 2013, an advisory council for the park was established to involve various stakeholders in decision-making and the effective conservation of the park (2), and in 2018 a Management Master Plan was established, seeking to develop an integrated approach for the protection and proper management of the region, especially considering the socio-environmental impacts of the construction of the BR-319 highway and the deforestation caused by fires, the expansion of soybean cultivation, land appropriation (7) and cattle ranching from the neighbouring state (3, 10). It was established as a Natural Park in 2008, but over the years it has undergone changes in land regulations, adding or decreasing its size as certain mining activities have been allowed in the buffer zone (2)

The initiative focuses on the creation and implementation of a management plan for the Natura 2000 areas of Ciurbesti Lake and Fânațele Bârca to protect their biodiversity and promote sustainable tourism and land use. These areas were designated as part of the Natura 2000 network in 2016, but until recently, lacked a formal management plan. In 2019, the environmental group "Asociaţia Scutierii Naturii Bacău," in partnership with the Environmental Protection Agency of Iași (APM Iași), secured EU funding to develop the plan. While the plan was being developed, minimal regulations were established in 2022 to ensure interim protection.
The finalized management plan was released in 2024. It assessed species and habitats of European, national, and community importance, identifying 18 bird species, 3 plant species, 1 mammal species, and 4 key habitats. The plan also identified environmental pressures and set objectives and actions to ensure the conservation of this biodiversity. Before the plan's completion, two rounds of public consultations were held, involving a broad range of stakeholders, including surrounding municipalities, private landowners, public administrators, and local community representatives, to define optimal management practices.
The plan mandates continuous monitoring and reporting on the state of species and habitats. It also includes specific conservation measures, such as the partial reconstruction of endangered habitats, meetings with local land users to restrict harmful activities, public awareness campaigns, and regular monitoring. Additionally, it emphasizes the sustainable use of the area, including tourism. The creation of the plan was financed with EU funds totaling €1,036,014.27, and the projected cost for its implementation is €259,627.99. (1-5)

The Digital Hub, a campus in Dublin 8 offering 49,000 sq. ft. of office, studio, and workspaces for small businesses in technology, creative industries, social enterprises, and artisans, has partnered with Pocket Forests to establish Ireland’s first urban native tree nursery. Located on The Digital Hub campus, the Pocket Forests Tree Hub will grow native Irish trees, including birch, rowan, and alder, to support the planting of over 600 trees throughout Dublin 8 and beyond.
As Dublin 8 district faces a noted lack of green spaces and low tree density, as highlighted by the Mapping Green Dublin project from University College Dublin and local groups, the Tree Hub is set to address this gap. This innovative initiative aims to improve the local natural environment and bolster biodiversity in a rapidly urbanizing area.
Pocket Forests, co-founded in 2020 by Ashe Conrad-Jones and Catherine Cleary, is inspired by the Tiny Forest concept, which brings diverse native plants to small urban plots. Using permaculture methods, Pocket Forests regenerates depleted soil and creates diverse micro-forests on plots as compact as six square meters. This approach, which enriches soil and encourages biodiversity, has a unique capacity to transform urban areas into lush, green spaces, contributing to improved air quality and local ecosystems.
The Covid-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of access to nature for well-being, and The Digital Hub offers an ideal location for this first-of-its-kind urban initiative. The Tree Hub will serve as a valuable resource for greening Dublin 8, promoting community engagement, and fostering a greater connection to nature.
Beyond the nursery, Pocket Forests will run a series of six half-day workshops at The Digital Hub to educate the community on biodiversity, pollination, compost, soil health, and the importance of urban forest ecosystems. The Digital Hub’s Tree Hub boosts well-being, biodiversity, and green space for future generations. (1-5

"Adopt a linden tree" is a project that involved the planting and adoption of linden trees in the city of Iași, spanning from 2019 to 2023 across three editions (1 to 8). The campaign was spearheaded by the National Athenaeum of Iași, in collaboration with the Mihai Eminescu Association from Vienna (2). This initiative was launched in celebration of the Athenaeum's 100th anniversary, and it specifically chose the linden tree because of its deep-rooted symbolism in the city of Iași. The tree is not only a natural landmark but also carries cultural and historical weight, as it is closely associated with Romania’s national poet, Mihai Eminescu, who is known for his love of linden trees.
In 2019, 100 linden trees were planted, a number that was repeated in 2020. In the 2023 edition, 50 trees were added, bringing the total number of trees planted through this project to 250 (1 & 4 & 5). An important and unique aspect of the initiative is the "adoption" of the trees by volunteers who participated in the campaign. These volunteers not only lent their names to the trees but also took on the responsibility for their care, ensuring the trees' survival and growth until they reached maturity .
Volunteers were encouraged to participate, and the campaign was supported by donations from individuals, businesses, and public institutions. The municipality of Iași also contributed by providing funds, approving the initiative, and preparing the land through its subsidiary, Servicii Publice Iași S.A., reflecting strong public-private collaboration.
Beyond its cultural significance, the campaign aimed to achieve several other objectives. These included enhancing the city’s aesthetics, promoting community engagement, and improving the quality of life in Iași by contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment . The initiative also aimed to raise environmental awareness among residents and foster a stronger sense of responsibility toward the natural world. (1-8)

The Fairy Garden, also known as the WOW Recreational Park, is a distinctive green space located near Diósgyőr Castle in Miskolc, Hungary. Since its opening in April 2020, the park has quickly gained popularity, earning third place in the 2020 Tourism Attraction of the Year award in the professional category. Once a neglected and polluted site with historical significance, the area was transformed by a local entrepreneur. After removing over sixty containers of waste, including hazardous materials, a park was created that harmonizes with the natural environment, preserving existing willow trees and integrating water features fed by local streams. When creating the park, the creators respected the plants of the area to the maximum, not a single tree was cut down, and the fruit trees were also kept.
The park boasts various decorative elements, including a carousel, a garden cinema, and other amenities. However, in September 2021, it was closed indefinitely for renovations. Gábor Vaszil, the lessee who had rented the land from the Miskolc municipality, intended to purchase the property for further development. Despite initial support from the local government, the transaction was halted due to concerns raised by the regional Water Management and Protection Authority regarding the protection of Miskolc's drinking water resources. Their ongoing investigation has delayed any further decisions about the sale or the future of the park. In the meantime, the garden remains open to the public for leisurely walks, similar to other municipal parks in Miskolc.
(Ref.1-4)

The Santa Gilla lagoon, a crucial wetland in the Cagliari metropolitan area of Sardinia, has been the focus of several interventions aimed at restoring and preserving its natural and socio-economic functions. The overarching goal of these projects is to rehabilitate the lagoon's ecosystems, improve public accessibility, and promote sustainable economic activities such as eco-tourism and fishing. One significant intervention is the restoration of pedestrian and cycling paths around the lagoon, managed by CACIP (Consorzio Industriale Provinciale di Cagliari) in collaboration with the Metropolitan City of Cagliari. With over two million euros in funding, this project aimed to recover the original profiles of the lagoon's embankments, while removing waste from the area and enhancing the paths for non-motorized mobility (2). Another crucial development was the legal action taken by the Corpo Forestale (Forestry Corps) in 2020 to address illegal constructions and pollution along the lagoon's eastern shores. This action included the sequestration of areas used for illegal fishing activities, where hazardous materials and waste were improperly disposed of, leading to environmental degradation​ (1). Furthermore, environmental groups have made continuous efforts to address illegal dumping near the lagoon, particularly along the SS 195 highway. These groups have actively sought the intervention of local authorities to initiate cleanup operations and enforce regulations against illegal waste disposal​ (4). The projects were implemented primarily to address the significant environmental hazards facing the Santa Gilla lagoon, including pollution from illegal dumping, habitat degradation due to unauthorized constructions, and the overall loss of biodiversity. These activities also aimed to mitigate the socio-economic risks posed by the deteriorating environmental conditions, such as the decline in tourism and sustainable fishing practices (1,2,4).

On a small roadside green space in Berlin, a tiny forest was created. The idea of Tiny Forests comes from Japan, there are already some in France and the Netherlands, and since 2020 also in Germany. Tiny forests are constituted of trees planted densely next to each other in small spaces, such as tiny green roadsides.
At Oderstraße, the NGO TinyForestBerlin planted an even smaller forest, a nano forest on a roadside where trees cool down the area, filter the air and create a habitat for insects. Trees in urban areas loosen up the dense and degraded soil, allowing it to store carbon and let rainwater properly seep into the ground to prevent urban flooding. Roadsides are hardly utilised or recognized in their environmental potential, such as hosting a nano forest. Projects like the one implemented by TinyForestBerlin present an approach for collaboration between the district and civil society, as the district's park department lack the capacity to maintain small roadsides. The project at Oderstraße is the first official tiny forest in Berlin, as a previous planting campaign in Friedrichshain was not entirely legal due to missing approval of local authorities. (Ref. 2; Ref. 5)
The TinyForestBerlin association has set itself the goal of creating such small nano-forests all over Berlin. An ambitious project that aims to enrich the city's green spaces and contribute to improving the urban climate. The trees planted on Oderstraße are one of many smaller planting projects that are spread throughout the city on public as well as private land. (Ref. 3)