The Sustainability and Environment Councilor of the Andalusian Government, Catalina García, has visited the Trebujena marshes to check the results of the ambitious wetlands recovery project in the Lower Guadalquivir, carried out between the years 2022 and 2024. This action, funded with 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 generates new opportunities for sustainable and socio-economic development in the region.»
The Trebujena marshes, located in lands of the former estuary of the Guadalquivir River, near the Doñana Natural Space (opposite the Veta La Palma estate) and the Special Conservation Zone (SCZ) of the Lower Guadalquivir, are a space of high ecological value. Until the mid-1950s, it still retained two large ‘lucios’ (freshwater lagoons), which can still be seen in aerial photographs from that time. However, human interventions, such as attempts at drainage 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 estates (‘Gabela Honda’ and ‘Espinete’) through the movement of 600,000 cubic meters of soil, returning the landscape to its original structure with interconnected lagoons, islands, and channels. «A complex technical work has been developed, involving the coordinated work of specialized machinery, with days where up to 33 vehicles have worked simultaneously,» explained the councilor.
This design allows for flexible water management, regulated by gates, combining the use of freshwater from rainfalls with the brackish water of the Guadalquivir River during spring tides. According to the councilor, this combination ensures «the creation of a great diversity of environments that benefit a wide number of species.» The project, in addition to restoring a natural space, has a comprehensive approach that covers 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 such as the Marbled Teal (‘Marmaronetta angustirostris’), whose population has seen a worrying decline 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 space where they can nest and thrive.»
From an economic perspective, the intervention promotes nature tourism and sustainable exploitation of resources. The design includes a walking path, bird observatories, and viewpoints, encouraging activities such as wildlife watching and ecotourism, while also preserving compatibility with traditional uses of the marsh, such as extensive livestock farming and the extraction of natural resources like shrimp and plants like glasswort, 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, essential for the fishing sector in the Gulf of Cádiz. The Sustainability Councilor highlighted that «the benefits of this recovery are not limited to the environment but also extend to key sectors like fishing.»
Another crucial aspect is flood control. The restored lagoons function as natural attenuation systems, reducing the risks of overflow at the mouth of the Guadalquivir River 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 the collaboration between the Andalusian Government and the former landowners, who have exploitation rights over these areas. This agreement has been crucial to ensure a climate of trust that allows progress in the conservation of the space. In this regard, García pointed out that «the involvement of local actors is a key element in the success of projects as ambitious as this.»
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 rat owl and a kestrel, species that will directly benefit from the recovery of the marshes. 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.
On another note, Catalina García recalled that the Sustainability and Environment Department will allocate a total of 42.2 million euros to the province of Cádiz, as outlined in the 2025 Budget. She also highlighted important actions already carried out, such as the adaptation of the Barbate marshes as a birdwatching tourism point, with an amount of 1.9 million euros, conservation interventions in the Mist Forest of the 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 recovery, socio-economic boost, 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.