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Guayaquil will have its second native urban forest: the urban flora and fauna revitalization project led by the La Iguana Foundation has begun the first phase of work (soil removal) on the 25 de Julio Avenue roundabout near the harbor, in the south of Guayaquil, covering an area of 3,525 square meters.
They plan to plant 6,314 plants of at least 50 species native to tropical dry forests. The group has already intervened in the Antonio Parra Velasco community in Sauces, north of Guayaquil.
Andrea Fiallos, founder of La Iguana, said that unlike the forest in Sauces, the forest at 25 Julio Avenue will not be open to the public. It will function more as a lung of the city, part of a strategy to seek similar projects throughout the avenue.
Fiallos hopes the 25 July roundabout will become part of a chain that connects urban wildlife to the mangroves. Various bird species already frequent the area, and they likely feed on insects and other organisms that arrive on site while working.
He explained that the bioswales that will be created in the southern area of the city will help mitigate the impact of flooding on the city. They will deal with plants that require minimal attention, such as watering and pruning, as they are not accessible. The idea is that the vegetation takes over the site and “simulates a jungle.”
“In any case, all the institutions close to the site will benefit (…). Whether it is visitable or not does not diminish that,” he noted. They conducted a preliminary study to determine whether the area is suitable for tourism.
Another component of the native urban forest is the community’s participatory approach. “This is a special case, it’s the entrance area of the harbour. We’ve been working with several companies that are members of the harbour and we’ve been working with these companies for many years. “Over time, their staff have benefited greatly from the talks and training,” he said.
As the work progresses, the socialization process will also advance, with educational lectures being carried out in public schools operated by the sector, in coordination with the Guayaquil City Government, in addition to other unions.
The state Legislature recently approved $58,137.11 for the project, or 48 percent of the budget. The La Iguana Foundation will cover the rest of the cost.
“There is no mayor’s office left on the planet that can afford not to be involved in the mitigation measures that must be taken immediately to adapt to climate change,” Fialos stressed.
In addition to bringing about cultural change and altering the relationship between Guayaquileños and nature, another function of the native urban forest is to collect scientific data from it. Part of this, Fialos explained, is to make citizens understand that they are not promoting “neglected scrub” but for the benefit of the city.
That’s why, he continues, each native urban forest is accompanied by a comprehensive strategy tailored to the unique needs of each space. The Sauce Ring includes a calendar of educational and science fairs.
“We can’t continue to consider this minimalist and completely invasive vision of planting grasses, palm trees and ornamental plants that don’t have any beneficial function for us.” (I)
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