The Sustainability and Environment Councilor of the Andalusian Government, Catalina García, has emphasized the work carried out by the Andalusian Administration to restore the marshes of Trebujena, a natural enclave of great ecological value located in the Lower Guadalquivir. During her speech in the Andalusian Parliament, she highlighted that this project is «another example of Andalusia’s unwavering commitment to sustainability, biodiversity, and socio-economic development.»
The Andalusian Government has invested nearly two million euros between 2022 and 2024 in the recovery of 260 hectares of these wetlands, an action that has restored ecological functionality to a degraded space and also opens up new possibilities for sustainable development in the region. «The marshes of Trebujena, a natural gem of our Andalusia, have been reborn thanks to a project that combines respect for the environment with the promotion of sustainable economic development,» she stated.
This natural space had undergone significant alterations due to past human interventions aimed at its drainage for agricultural purposes. «These actions failed due to the high salinity and clay content of the soil, leaving a legacy of degradation,» she explained. In response to this situation, the Andalusian Government has led an ambitious ecological restoration process that involved the mobilization of 600,000 cubic meters of soil, recreating interconnected lagoons, islands, and channels.
«Thanks to the effort and collaboration, we have restored its original structure,» García pointed out, highlighting that up to 33 specialized vehicles intervened simultaneously during the most intense moments of the work. «A complex coordinated technical work has been developed with specialized machinery,» she added, emphasizing the Andalusian Administration’s execution capacity in large-scale environmental projects.
The new water design of the space ensures a diversity of natural environments beneficial to many species, especially endangered birds such as the marbled teal (‘Marmaronetta angustirostris’), the Eurasian coot (‘Fulica cristata’), and the white-headed duck (‘Oxyura leucocephala’). «We have turned the marshes into a sanctuary for endangered birds. A refuge where these species can nest and thrive,» she affirmed.
In addition to the ecological impact, the initiative has a strong economic component linked to nature tourism. «Birdwatching tourism and ecotourism find a new destination here, with trails, observatories, and viewpoints that will attract visitors and generate income for the region,» she noted. This is complemented by the respect and preservation of traditional uses of the marsh, such as extensive livestock farming and natural resource extraction, «providing new income opportunities,» as she explained.
The restoration of these wetlands also has a significant effect on combating climate change. «The new wetlands connected to the Guadalquivir River act as an extension of the estuary, promoting the reproduction of marine species, essential for the fishing sector in the Gulf of Cadiz,» Catalina García emphasized. She also highlighted that the lagoons act as natural drainage systems, reducing the risk of floods, and serve as carbon and nitrogen sinks, contributing to pollution reduction.
The councilor wanted to emphasize the collaboration of the former landowners, an alliance that has been key to the success of the initiative: «None of this would have been possible without the collaboration between the Andalusian Government and the former landowners», she stated.
During her speech, Catalina García recalled other significant actions in the province, such as the marshes of Barbate as a birdwatching tourism spot, the conservation of the Fog Forest in the Los Alcornocales Natural Park, or the creation of cycling routes. In this regard, she announced that «in the budget for 2025, we have allocated a total of 42.2 million euros to the province of Cadiz.»
The councilor concluded her speech reaffirming the Andalusian Government’s commitment to a model where development and conservation progress hand in hand. «Projects like these teach us that it is possible to harmonize development and conservation. That respect for nature can also be a source of opportunities,» she stated, closing with a message of unity: «As I always say, let’s continue working together, with the same passion and commitment, for an Andalusia that is a model of sustainability, prosperity, and pride for all.»