Implementation of the Urban Forestry Plan for Cartagena

Climate action (adaptation and/or mitigation), Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration)

Creation of new green areas, Creation of any other green urban spaces, Maintenance and management of urban nature, Maintenance or upgrade of exisiting green spaces (e.g. parks), Strategy, plan or policy development, Creation of city-wide or neighborhood green and blue infrastrcuture protection or enhancement strategies/plans

The plan encompasses short-term, medium-term, and long-term objectives, accompanied by specific indicators for action and results. Over a period of ten years, the main goals include (ref 1): - Establishing a forest mass of at least 100,000 additional trees to those already existing, increasing tree canopy coverage. - Creating more accessible green areas for households. - Developing a primary ecological structure primarily of trees to be established in the city, incorporating biodiversity criteria as a guiding principle for actions. - Making a significant contribution to food security in urban areas. - Recognising local knowledge and prioritising the use of local resources. - Manage the existing urban heat island using the initial assessment as a reference point. - Aesthetic Improvement: Enhance the city's visual appeal with increased green spaces. - Community Engagement: Educate and involve local communities in tree planting and maintenance to foster a culture of environmental stewardship Originally, the plan covers a 10-year horizon, targeting the planting of 100,000 new trees and the maintenance of existing vegetation (ref 1). Currently, it has a goal of 300,000 new trees by 202

The procedure for requesting a planting session is as follows: any city resident can request a session from the EPA, provided the location for planting is on public land (such as public spaces, sidewalks, parks, public transportation stations, public school grounds, streets, etc.). The EPA will then visit the site to determine the most suitable species to plant. They will supply the necessary plants, tools, and labor. In certain cases, the EPA may seek support from other public and private institutions for the planting sessions, with funding coming from public sources, including compensation activities from companies holding environmental licenses. Following the planting, the citizen who requested the session is responsible for maintaining the plants. While the EPA conducts monitoring, these activities are not structured. Each planting session is georeferenced and documented on the EPA's website (ref 1). Cartagena has 186,344 trees located in public spaces, a figure that does not include mangrove forests, the remnants of dry forest in La Popa Hill and Albornoz, or those planted on private properties (ref 3). Educational processes fundamentally complement the activities of planting and maintaining trees at three levels: i) schools and colleges, ii) action implementers, and iii) the general community.

• Citizens or community groups
• Young people and children