The Minister of Sustainability and Environment of the Andalusian Government, Catalina García, 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 intervention in the Parliament of Andalusia, 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 the ecological functionality to a degraded space and, furthermore, 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 area had undergone 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. 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 with specialized machinery has been developed,» she added, emphasizing the Andalusian Administration’s capacity for executing large-scale environmental projects.
The new hydraulic design of the space ensures a diversity of natural environments beneficial for many species, especially for endangered birds such as 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 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 indicated. 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,» 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, favoring the reproduction of marine species, essential for the fishing sector in the Gulf of Cádiz,» highlighted Catalina García. Likewise, she emphasized that the lagoons act as natural attenuation systems, reducing the risk of floods, and serve as carbon and nitrogen sinks, contributing to pollution reduction.
The Minister wanted to underline 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 intervention, Catalina García recalled other important actions in the province, such as the marshes of Barbate as a birdwatching tourism spot, the conservation of the Misty 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 Minister concluded her intervention by reaffirming the Andalusian Government’s commitment to a model in which 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 serves as a model of sustainability, prosperity, and pride for all.»
