Por Redaccion 
The Sustainabilty and Environment Councilor of the Andalusian Government, Catalina García, visited the Trebujena marshes to check the results of the ambitious wetlands recovery project in the Lower Guadalquivir, carried out between 2022 and 2024. This initiative, funded by FEDER funds within the Integrated Territorial Investment (ITI) of Cádiz, had a budget of 1,953,899 euros and has profoundly transformed this area. During the visit, Catalina García highlighted that «this project restores the marshes’ ecological functionality and creates new opportunities for sustainable and socio-economic development in the region».
The Trebujena marshes, located in lands of the former Guadalquivir River estuary, near the Doñana Natural Space (opposite Veta La Palma farm) and the Special Conservation Area (SAC) of Lower Guadalquivir, are an ecologically valuable area. Until the mid-1950s, it still preserved two large ‘lucios’ (freshwater lagoons), which are still visible in aerial photographs from that time. However, human interventions, such as attempts to drain for agricultural purposes, significantly altered its natural hydrology. These actions failed due to the high salinity and clay content of the soil, leaving a legacy of degradation that this project has successfully reversed.
Thanks to this intervention, 260 hectares have been restored in two different properties (‘Gabela Honda’ and ‘Espinete’) by moving 600,000 cubic meters of earth, restoring the landscape to its original structure with interconnected lagoons, islands, and channels. «A complex technical work has been carried out that involved the coordinated work of specialized machinery, with up to 33 vehicles working simultaneously on some days,» explained the councilor.
This design allows for flexible water management, regulated by gates, that combines the use of freshwater from rainfall with the brackish water of the Guadalquivir River during spring tides. According to the councilor, this combination ensures «the creation of a wide variety of environments that benefit a large number of species.» The project, in addition to restoring a natural space, has a comprehensive approach covering biodiversity, socio-economic development, ecological functionality, flood control, and climate change mitigation.
Regarding biodiversity, the restoration has turned the marshes into a refuge for critically endangered species like the Marbled Duck (‘Marmaronetta angustirostris’), whose population has alarmingly declined in recent years, as well as other species like the Red-knobbed Coot (‘Fulica cristata’) and the White-headed Duck (‘Oxyura leucocephala’), which have also benefited. Catalina García emphasized that «these wetlands are now a sanctuary for threatened birds, a place where they can nest and thrive.»
From an economic point of view, the intervention promotes nature tourism and sustainable exploitation of resources. The design includes a footpath, bird observatories, and viewpoints, encouraging activities such as wildlife watching and ecotourism. Furthermore, compatibility with traditional uses of the marsh, such as extensive livestock farming and the extraction of natural resources like shrimp and plants like glasswort, has been preserved, providing new income opportunities for the region.
Functionally, the new wetlands are connected to the Guadalquivir River and act as an extension of the estuary. This favors the reproduction of marine species like anchovies, eels, and prawns, crucial for the fishing sector in the Gulf of Cádiz. The Sustainability Councilor emphasized that «the benefits of this recovery extend beyond the environment, reaching key sectors like fishing.»
Another crucial aspect is flood control. The restored lagoons function as natural attenuation systems that reduce the risk of overflow at the Guadalquivir River mouth during winter. Finally, the project strengthens the fight against climate change by acting as a carbon and nitrogen sink, contributing to reducing pollution and eutrophication of the estuary.
A Collaboration Model
The project has been made possible thanks to collaboration between the Andalusian Government and the former landowners who have exploitation rights over these areas. This agreement has been essential to ensure a climate of trust that allows progress in conserving the space. In this regard, García pointed out that «the involvement of local stakeholders is a key element in the success of such ambitious projects.»
In addition to visiting the facilities and learning about the results, the councilor participated in a symbolic act: the release of a specimen of a Short-toed Eagle and a Kestrel, species that will directly benefit from the marshes’ recovery. During the visit, she was accompanied by the Director General of Protected Natural Spaces, José Enrique Borrallo, the Mayor of Trebujena, Ramón Galán, the Provincial Delegate for Sustainability and Environment, Óscar Curtido, and the Head of the Protected Natural Spaces Service, Felipe Oliveros, among other authorities.
Furthermore, Catalina García mentioned that the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment will allocate 42.2 million euros to the Cádiz province, as outlined in the 2025 Budget. She also highlighted significant actions already taken, such as the adaptation of the marshes in Barbate for birdwatching tourism, with an investment of 1.9 million euros, conservation interventions in the Mist Forest of Los Alcornocales Natural Park, with an investment of 900,000 euros, or the creation of cycling routes in the province, with an allocation of 16.1 million euros.
The councilor concluded her visit by emphasizing that the Trebujena marshes are currently a model of sustainability that combines environmental restoration, socio-economic development, and climate change mitigation. «This project demonstrates that it is possible to move towards a future where development and conservation go hand in hand. The Andalusian Government will continue working to ensure that our natural spaces are a source of pride for all Andalusians,» she stated.