Habitat and biodiversity restoration

Over the past century, vast portions of the world’s oldest forests have been lost to clear-cutting and managed forestry (1). Arboretum Detroit is working to counter this trend by reforesting Detroit’s urban landscape, transforming abandoned city blocks into thriving groves of trees (1). Each parcel of land features trees that showcase the unique contours and characteristics of specific species, creating a diverse urban forest mosaic across the city (1). These "forest patches" are protected, designed to mature safely for generations, offering a space of tranquility and natural beauty for all Detroiters (1).
Arboretum Detroit’s main goal is to cultivate environmental consciousness, inspiring the community to consider our interconnectedness with nature and our impact on it (1). Through their reforestation mission, they demonstrate the ecological, cultural, aesthetic, and economic value of trees, both locally and globally (1). Trees alter our environment by using their leaves to filter the air we breathe by removing dust and other particles. Deciduous shade trees cool homes in the summer and allow the winter sun to heat homes when they lose their leaves. Trees can serve as a windbreak. The more compact the foliage on the group of trees the more effective the windbreak. Their pilot project, launched on Earth Day 2019, brought these values to life. Volunteers and members planted 21 trees across the site, including species like Princeton Sentry Ginkgo, Redpoint Red Maple, Paper Birch, Cedar, Yew, and understory trees like Kousa Dogwood and Forest Pansy Redbud, enhancing the habitat for local pollinators and birds (2). The trees were arranged in trios, interspersed with native seeds, soil, compost, and glacial boulders to create a healthy and engaging environment for all (2).

The financial capital of Sri Lanka, Colombo, is the fastest-growing city in Sri Lanka, and as such, it is constantly changing. Most expansions in urban areas are taking place without proper planning, which can cause damage to existing pockets of forests, landscapes and green areas in and around the city (1). The environmental impacts of this rapid urbanisation include increased pollution, increased heat due to the expansion of roads/pavements, tall structures that block out light and wind and reduced biodiversity in fauna and flora (1).
To face these challenges, the Federation of Environmental Organisations (FEO) proposed a city-wide Tree Planting Campaign to create an Urban Forest Strategy in public and private lands in the greater Colombo area (1). The plan is to kick-start the program at the Borella Cemetery as it has a large land area available for planting, specifically 178062 sq meters (3). The project started to be implemented in July 2020 with the seasonal rains (1). This project aims to grow urban trees to help mitigate some of the negative impacts of unplanned and rapid urbanisation, thus making the city more resilient to these changes (1).
The trees that will be planted will be mostly native species and also exotic plants will be selected based on specific requirements (1, 3). It is also planned to have flowering plants and shrubs to encourage butterflies, bees and birds to interspace the trees (1). The new parking space near the Borella Cemetery will also be planted with deep root shading trees interspaced with flowering plants (1).
The project aimed to include a large number of stakeholders including the government, the private sector and the residents of Colombo (1). And they have also reached schools in Colombo and hope to involve environmental associations to further the cause (3).

Public spaces in Colombo are disappearing due to rising land prices, causing infrastructure issues that harm citizens' health, especially in low-income areas (3). One proposed solution to address the problems caused by rapid urbanization is the creation of community gardens, which can at least improve low-income residents' diets and immune systems and address malnutrition (3).
Considering the limited urban space for both citizens and other living beings, the organization Eco-friendly Volunteers decided to create a community garden. The Metta Garden in Colombo (1, 2) aims to bring back urban biodiversity through organic home gardening, generating healthy food for people and creating living space for many other animals and plants (2). Following the Buddhist concept of Metta (loving-kindness to all beings), it promotes walking meditation paths and facilities to experience nature using all five sensory organs (1), in addition to being a place for experiencing loving-kindness for both human and non-human living beings, seen and unseen (4, 5).
It has become a training institute for many stakeholders seeking to grow organic food and earn a better income through the high demand for organic products (2). At the same time, it serves as a biodiversity spot, attracting butterflies, bees, and other forms of wildlife to an urban environment (2).
The area is located in the middle of a semi-urbanized area, on the outskirts of Boralesgamuwa (2, 3). Maintained by a group of volunteers, it features a greenhouse and a plot of land of around 5,000 sq feet, populated with vegetable patches, a butterfly garden, flowers and rare medicinal plants (3, 4). The garden was divided into four sections representing the Buddhist elements: water, heat, air, and solid. Each section features specific plants and designs, like a pond for water, a compost pit for heat, tall plants for air, and a rock garden for solid. The layout follows a mandala design based on permaculture principles (4).

In 2018, the City of Detroit implemented a drainage charge to help cover the costs of capturing, conveying, pumping, treating, and safely returning combined sewage to the Detroit and Rouge Rivers (1). The charge is calculated based on each parcel’s impact on the sewer system, particularly by measuring impervious acreage (1). Since then, this fee has posed significant challenges for one group in particular: Detroit’s houses of worship (2). Churches, with their large roofs and parking lots, face higher monthly drainage charges, creating financial strain for many faith leaders (2).
To support these institutions, Sacred Grounds has been providing grants, labor, and design assistance to install projects that reduce water bills and drainage fees (2). Sacred Grounds collaborates with the National Wildlife Federation, Friends of the Rouge, and Sierra Club of Michigan to implement these projects through the city’s green credit program (2). A recent initiative involved installing four rain gardens located on the perimeter of St. Suzanne Our Lady Gate of Heaven Church (3). These bioretention gardens, funded by several private and public actors and led by Detroit Future City, diverts water from 20 large downspouts, redirecting an estimated 500,000 gallons of runoff annually away from the municipal sewer system (3, 4).
In addition to managing water, the gardens foster a thriving habitat for pollinators and adds beauty to the area (3). St. Suzanne’s commitment to environmental education includes engaging over 130 youth and adults in training programs that build pathways to STEAM careers and opportunities where local residents are often underrepresented (4). The church also features an innovative, eco-friendly outdoor classroom developed by students, further supporting their sustainability mission (4).

The environmental impact of golf has led to growing calls to make the sport more sustainable (1). Golf course maintenance often involves carbon-intensive fertilizers, frequent mowing, and, in some cases, the clearing of forests or trees that naturally absorb carbon dioxide to make room for expansive fairways (1). However, the Tournament Players Club (TPC) Michigan is working to create courses that benefit both golfers and the environment (2).
Fifteen years ago, the site was a neglected floodplain along the Rouge River, initially purchased by Henry Ford in 1915 and once littered with community waste and old motor parts from the Ford Motor Company (2-3). Today, it has been transformed into an 85.8-hectare course that supports a diverse range of wildlife, including birds, fish, foxes, and coyotes (2). Led by Jack Nicklaus, the restoration aimed to turn this former waste site into an eco-friendly course (2). With guidance from Audubon International, the course was converted into a wildlife sanctuary, becoming the world’s first golf course to receive the prestigious John James Audubon Environmental Steward Award for ecological restoration (2).
TPC Michigan features native Michigan plants, such as viburnums, which produce berries for wildlife, along with various native grasses (2). To prioritize environmental stewardship, the course managers have created buffer zones to protect natural habitats and conserve water by using coring methods to monitor soil moisture (2). Pesticide use is minimized; instead, staff monitor for signs of disease or pests and test the soil to determine the specific nutrients needed for the turf (2). The course’s links-style layout includes rolling fairways, tiered greens, and natural wetlands, with tee options ranging from 5.5 to 6.4 meters (4). By establishing a wildlife sanctuary, TPC Michigan offers golfers a unique experience that fosters a connection with nature (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)

For thousands of years the Rio Salado, also known as the Salt River, and its larger mainstem, the Gila River, served as an important perennial source of life and growth for indigenous people residing in central Arizona, including the Akimel and Piipaash (3). Today, the Salt River is an ephemeral river corridor connecting diverse urban communities across an expansive and growing Maricopa County (3). While the river is now typically defined by intermittent flow as a function of water conservation and distribution in an arid urban climate, it also has powerful flows during the Arizona monsoon season providing a diverse and unique ecosystem for the region (3). To foster the health of the River, a regional multi-decade project was initiated in 2018 called Rio Reimagined, which includes six cities and two tribal communities (1). Rio Reimagined is a planning initiative in a very early concept stage, centered around the mission to support and enhance this treasured river corridor (3). The goals of Rio Reimagined consist of connecting communities, Equitable & Sustainable Development, and Restoring and Revitalizing Healthy Rivers (3). As part of the Rio Reimagined, the City of Phoenix founded a collaborative project called Rio PHX that will help promote a 20-mile Rio Salado (Salt River) corridor as a local and regional destination that attracts positive investment for the benefit of existing/future businesses, residents, and tourists (1). The final aim with this project is to improve health outcomes for existing and future residents by address outstanding needs in the area and create opportunities for housing, employment, recreation, art, and ecological restoration (1). From May 2024 to May 2025 Rio PHX will engage in creating a community profile, an existing conditions assessment, community engagement & visioning, developing implementation strategies and drafting the master plan (1). Public hearings and final plan adoption are set to take place in fall 2025 (1).