, Cartagena (FUA), Colombia
City population: 1138298
Duration: 2020 – ongoing
Implementation status: Ongoing
Scale: Micro-scale: District/neighbourhood level
Project area: 12000 m2
Type of area: Public Greenspace Area
Last updated: May 2025

The Loma del Marión recovery project in Cartagena, Colombia, is a community-driven initiative supported by EPA Cartagena that focuses on restoring and conserving the remaining 1.2 hectares of tropical dry forest. Initially covering 33 hectares, the area has suffered degradation due to illegal encroachments, deforestation, and waste burning. The project has included planting over 3,000 plants and fostering community involvement in environmental conservation (ref 1). The main goals are to restore the ecosystem by reforesting native species, preventing landslide risks, and developing an ecopark that will serve as an educational and recreational space. Planned facilities include a library for learning about local flora and fauna, hiking trails, and a community garden to enhance local food security (ref 1,4). A notable educational initiative in the project is the formation of "Vigías del Ambiente" (Environmental Watchers), a group of 40 youths from the Red Nacional Jóvenes de Ambiente, supported by EPA Cartagena and CDKN. This initiative educates young people on climate change, conservation, and waste management through workshops and activities (ref 2, 3). In addition, the EPA is leading detailed studies of the tropical dry forest to identify and protect endemic species (ref 5). The project has resulted in significant environmental and social benefits, such as planting thousands of trees, boosting community engagement in conservation, and establishing youth groups dedicated to sustainable development and climate action (ref 3, 5).

planting session
The community has planted more than 3,000 species in Loma del Marión
https://www.eluniversal.com.co/cartagena/2020/10/13/el-sueno-de-un-ecoparque-en-la-loma-del-marion/

Overview

Nature-based solution

  • Parks and urban forests
  • Large urban parks or forests

Key challenges

  • Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
  • Habitat and biodiversity restoration
  • Regeneration, land-use and urban development
  • Regulation of built environment
  • Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
  • Social cohesion
  • Environmental education

Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)

  • Climate-Related Hazards
  • Landslides & mudslides
  • Environmental Degradation
  • Deforestation and forest degradation
  • Land use and Socio-economic change
  • Economic losses due to disasters and environmental degradation

Key priorities

Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community

Focus

Creation of new green areas, Creation of any other green urban spaces, Ecological restoration of ecosystems, Ecological restoration of existing green spaces, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Educational and awareness raising programs

Project objectives

Ecological restoration: The primary aim is to rehabilitate the area affected by illegal settlements and construction, restoring the natural habitat with native tropical forest species, and transforming it into a publicly accessible green space for the residents of Cartagena (ref 1). Environmental education: In collaboration with youth from the local community, the Vigías del Ambiente group conducts workshops promoting necessary local actions to reduce environmental risks (ref 3). Community engagement: through joint efforts by EPA Cartagena, the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), and the Vigías del Ambiente to promote environmental education, a culture of conservation, proper waste management to foster climate action and sustainable development (ref 3). Development of a natural ecopark (ref 1). Risk reduction and land use regulation: to address the dangers posed by unauthorized development, including unsafe housing and landslide risks, the project will implement protective measures stabilizing the area and preventing further environmental degradation (ref 4).

Implementation activities

The reforestation and green space restoration initiative was led by the local Community Action Board in Loma del Marión. Efforts extended beyond ecosystem restoration to address social dynamics around the ecological reserve, aiming to make it a hub for sustainable development (ref 1). The project created a play library where children can learn about local species, developed hiking trails, and established a natural garden that also serves as a food production area for the local population. Additional activities included clean-up efforts, planting days, and other actions to ensure the conservation of the forest reserve. Murals were created in collaboration with the ‘Conciencia Colectiva’ art group to depict local fauna and promote environmental awareness (ref 1). Environmental education workshops were conducted, focusing on climate change adaptation and mitigation. A youth environmental protection group was formed to raise awareness and promote sustainable practices (ref 2). The Elite Corps conducted inspections of high-risk homes in response to concerns from the Office of Disaster Risk Management (OAGRD). A budget of 400 million pesos was allocated for landslide risk mitigation, provision of rental subsidies, and humanitarian aid to affected families (ref 4, 6). EPA Cartagena’s study identified 300 species of native trees and shrubs to better understand the structure and composition of the dry tropical forest (ref 5).
Communities vulnerable to environmental hazards or climate change impacts
Yes

Specification of climate or environmentally vulnerable communities

Low-income neighborhoods, Other

Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities

Biodiversity restoration:

  • Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
  • Restore species (native, endangered, or unspecified)

Main beneficiaries

  • Citizens or community groups

Governance

Management set-up

  • Co-governance with government and non-government actors

Type of initiating organisation

  • Public sector institution
  • District/neighbourhood association

Participatory approaches/ community involvement

  • Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)

Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project

The initiative was led by the community of the Nueva Granada neighborhood through the creation of the Fundación Verde Marión, which emerged from the environmental committee of the Community Action Board of Nueva Granada (ref 1). The restoration of the Loma del Marión sector of the city has since been supported by EPA Cartagena, the Vigías del Ambiente, and the international agency CDKN (Climate and Development Knowledge Network) (ref 2). The operation was coordinated by the Administrative Directorate of Urban Control under the District Planning Secretariat, with the support of the Public Space and Mobility Management, the Ombudsman's Office, Distriseguridad, the Interior Secretariat, the Establecimiento Público Ambiental (EPA), the Office of Disaster Risk Management, Local Municipality 1, and the National Police (ref 4). In parallel, Cardique and the Ministry of Environment of Colombia have undertaken efforts to control the persistent landslides in the area (ref 9).

Project implemented in response to ...

... an EU policy or strategy? Unknown
... a national policy or strategy? Unknown
... a local policy or strategy? Yes (This type of activity is part of a new strategy developed by EPA Cartagena within the process of formulating and adopting the Integral Climate Change Management Plan (PIGCC – 4C) of the Cartagena District. ref 3)

Type of enablers

Governance innovations (such as public private partnerships)

Financing

Total cost

€50,000 - €100,000

Source(s) of funding

  • Public local authority budget

Type of funding

  • Earmarked public budget

Non-financial contribution

Type of non-financial contribution
  • Provision of labour
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
  • Public authorities (e.g. land, utility services)
  • Citizens (e.g. volunteering)

Impacts and Monitoring

Environmental impacts

  • Environmental quality
  • Improved stability of slopes
  • Achieved improved stability of slopes
  • Green space and habitat
  • Increased green space area
  • Achieved increased green space area

Economic impacts

  • Unknown

Socio-cultural impacts

  • Education
  • Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
  • Achieved increased knowledge of locals about local nature

Type of reported impacts

Presence of formal monitoring system

Unknown

Presence of indicators used in reporting

No evidence in public records

Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No evidence in public records

Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs

Social justice and conflicts, Displacement of vulnerable or marginalized communities

References

1.
El Universal (2020). El sueño de un ecoparque en la Loma del Marión. Accessed on September 12, 2024, [Source link];
2.
Caracol Radio (2021). Vigías del Ambiente se tomaron la Loma del Marión en Cartagena. Accessed on September 12, 2024, [Source link];
3.
EPA Cartagena (2021). Vigías del Ambiente continúan acciones por cambio climático en Loma del Marión. Accessed on September 12, 2024, [Source link];
4.
Cartagena Mayor's Office (2023). El Cuerpo Élite del Distrito realizó operativo en Loma de Marión para acompañar el proceso de caracterización de viviendas en alto riesgo o en estado de colapso. Accessed on September 12, 2024, [Source link];
5.
EPA Cartagena (2021). EPA LIDERA ESTUDIO FORESTAL DE BOSQUE SECO TROPICAL EN CARTAGENA. Accessed on September 12, 2024, [Source link];
6.
El Universal (2023). Esta es la cifra millonaria que invertirá la Alcaldía en la Loma del Marión. Accessed on September 12, 2024, [Source link];
7.
El Universal (2023). Realizarán jornada de caracterización a familias en alto riesgo en el Marión. Accessed on September 12, 2024, [Source link];
8.
Cardique (2013). Informe de inversion para la gestion del riesgo. Accessed on September 12, 2024, [Source link];
9.
Fundación Mapache Colombia (2020). Facebook post. Accessed on September 12, 2024, [Source link];
youth environmental protection group
The authorities are working on forming a youth environmental protection group for that area.
https://caracol.com.co/emisora/2021/08/11/cartagena/1628645886_036291.html
environmental group visiting the area
environmental group visiting the area
https://epacartagena.gov.co/web/vigias-del-ambiente-continuan-acciones-por-cambio-climatico-en-loma-del-marion/
picture of loma el marion
picture of loma el marion
https://www.eluniversal.com.co/cartagena/2023/03/14/esta-es-la-cifra-millonaria-que-invertira-la-alcaldia-en-la-loma-del-marion/
naturescapes bannerInformation about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.