The Sustainability and Environment Councilor of the Andalusian Government, Catalina García, emphasized the work carried out by the Andalusian Administration to restore the Trebujena marshes, 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 close to two million euros between 2022 and 2024 in the recovery of 260 hectares of these wetlands, an action that has restored the ecological functionality to a degraded space and, in addition, opens up new possibilities for sustainable development in the region. «The Trebujena marshes, 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 suffered significant alterations due to past human interventions aimed at draining it for agricultural purposes. «These actions failed due to the high salinity and clay content of the soil, leaving a legacy of degradation,» she explained. Faced with this situation, the Andalusian Government led an ambitious ecological restoration process that involved the mobilization of 600,000 cubic meters of land, recreating interconnected lagoons, islands, and channels.
«Thanks to the effort and collaboration, we have restored its original structure,» García pointed out, emphasizing that at the peak of the work, up to 33 specialized vehicles intervened simultaneously. «A complex coordinated technical work with specialized machinery has been developed,» she added, highlighting the execution capacity of the Andalusian Administration in large-scale environmental projects.
The new hydraulic design of the space ensures a diversity of natural environments beneficial for many species, especially for threatened birds like the marbled teal (‘Marmaronetta angustirostris’), the crested coot (‘Fulica cristata’), and the white-headed duck (‘Oxyura leucocephala’). «We have turned the marshes into a sanctuary for threatened 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 the extraction of natural resources, «providing new income opportunities,» as she explained.
The restoration of these wetlands also has a significant effect on the fight against climate change. «The new wetlands connected to the Guadalquivir River act as an extension of the estuary, favoring the reproduction of marine species, essential for the fishing sector in the Gulf of Cádiz,» Catalina García emphasized. She also highlighted that the lagoons act as natural attenuation systems, reducing the risk of floods, and function 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 pointed out.
During her speech, Catalina García recalled other significant actions in the province, such as the Barbate marshes as a birdwatching point, the conservation of the Niebla 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 Cádiz.»
The councilor concluded her speech reaffirming the Andalusian Government’s commitment to a model where development and conservation go hand in hand. «Projects like these show us that it is possible to harmonize development and conservation. That respect for nature can also be a source of opportunities,» she stated, ending 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.»