Much, rightly, has been written about the dire state of the Coto Doñana in recent years but there seems to be some light at the end of the tunnel thanks to the work of Salarte (and others) in forming the Alianza Marismas del Guadalquivir-Doñana (Guadalquivir-Doñana Marshes Alliance) to restore wetlands in the area. One of the things that marks Salarte out from other conservation organisations is their commitment to working with communities and traditional occupations. Having already done much good work in the Bahai de Cadiz, they have set their sites on restoring marshes along the Guadalquivir. The organisation deserves enormous credit for the scope, ambition and innovative nature of this project.
This attractive infographic below shows the extent of their project.
This attractive infographic below shows the extent of their project.
Although very attractive, the infographic above may be hard for those not familiar with the area to follow so I've set out the sites on the east bank of the Guadalquivir in a simple (if boring!) map.
The following article which appeared in the Dario de Cadiz explains the project. Since articles on newspaper websites sometimes disappear, I've taken the liberty of quoting it in full (and translating it into English via Google) but the original can be seen here. The Dario de Cadiz also deserves some credit for regularly highlighting conservation issues and is worth following online.
An Alliance that reopens life in the marshes of the Guadalquivir
Sustainability
Deloitte and Salarte are committed to recovering the ecosystem of the marshes with an environmental and social revitalization project committed to biodiversity and local communities
This alliance sets a precedent in innovation and sustainability for future generations, through ecological restoration and job promotion on the Northwest Coast
Two organisations have joined forces in an alliance aimed at recovering a land of great strategic importance on the Northwest Coast: a valuable natural treasure located in the marshes that extend between the Guadalquivir River and the Doñana National Park. This ambitious project, supported by the collaboration between the multinational Deloitte and the Cadiz-based NGO Salarte, aims to revitalise the environment and social of a unique space. The signing of a historic collaboration agreement between the two entities marks the beginning of the project called the Alianza Marismas del Guadalquivir-Doñana (Guadalquivir-Doñana Marshes Alliance), which promises to become a model of integration between environmental conservation and sustainable development.
This project represents a significant milestone, as Deloitte is positioned as the first private sector company to actively join the protection of this unique environment. Its involvement goes beyond economic investment: it is a commitment to sustainability that seeks to generate a lasting impact on both biodiversity and local communities. In a joint effort, Deloitte and Salarte are determined to restore the natural balance of the marshes, while creating new opportunities based on the principles of the blue economy, an approach that promotes the sustainable use of aquatic resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and the health of ecosystems.
The agreement signed will allow the recovery of up to 140 hectares of marshes located between the Cadiz towns of Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Trebujena, two emblematic municipalities on the Northwest Coast. The specific areas of intervention include the historic Salinas de San Carlos and Santa Teresa, in the municipality of Sanlúcar, and the Codo de la Esparraguera, in the municipality of Trebujena. This area, characterised by its biodiversity and ecological importance, has suffered for decades from the effects of abandonment and environmental degradation.
Among the main actions to be carried out within the framework of the project are the restoration of tidal systems, essential to guarantee the natural regeneration of the marshes; the conservation of critical habitats that support numerous species of flora and fauna; and the development of innovative management models that optimize ecosystem services. These actions will focus on activities such as sustainable aquaculture, responsible tourism and scientific research, which will contribute to diversifying economic opportunities in the region.
Beyond Environmental Restoration: A Commitment to People
The recovery of the marshes is not only an ecological issue; The project also pursues social and economic objectives that will directly benefit local communities. Deloitte and Salarte seek not only to preserve the natural environment, but also to promote human development and well-being in the area. To achieve this, both entities have designed a comprehensive plan that combines the recovery of the ecosystem with the creation of employment and the revaluation of traditional trades.
The alliance promotes the recovery of labor practices that have been part of the region's cultural heritage, such as artisanal salt extraction and sustainable fishing. These activities, adapted to modern standards, will be key to generating economic opportunities in line with the natural environment. In addition, the project contemplates an ongoing collaboration with local training centers to train new generations in skills related to the sustainable management of natural resources. This will contribute to strengthening the social and economic fabric, laying the foundations for long-term development.
In the words of Adolfo Gutiérrez de Gandarilla, partner in charge of Deloitte in Andalusia and Extremadura: "We are delighted to be part of such an emblematic project as the Guadalquivir-Doñana Marshes Alliance. Our commitment to sustainability is focused on enhancing natural capital and helping local communities manage their resources responsibly." For his part, Juan Martín Bermúdez, president of Salarte, stressed: "Deloitte's support is crucial to carry out actions that not only benefit biodiversity, but also future generations. We want to teach them the importance of preserving and taking advantage of the environment in a sustainable way, guaranteeing its conservation for the future".
A strategic impact for the region
The collaboration between Deloitte and Salarte highlights how a partnership between the private sector and the third sector can generate a transformative impact in the region. Both entities agree that their commitment goes beyond a simple one-off intervention; This is a long-term effort that seeks to set a precedent in the sustainable management of natural resources.
Thanks to this alliance, the region will become a living laboratory of environmental, social and economic innovation. From protecting iconic species to creating new sustainable business models, the Guadalquivir-Doñana Marshes Alliance aims to demonstrate that it is possible to balance environmental conservation with human progress.
In this context, the project stands as a benchmark in the province of Cádiz and throughout Andalusia, consolidating itself as an inspiring example for future environmental conservation and sustainable development initiatives. This collaborative model not only benefits local communities and biodiversity, but also establishes a roadmap for other projects in which sustainability is at the center.
The Alliance is already generating life in the marshes
The NGO Salarte leads an ambitious project for the restoration, custody and management of wetlands in the regions of the lower Guadalquivir, Doñana and the Northwest Coast. The Guadalquivir-Doñana Marshes Alliance is an innovative commitment that brings together farm owners and owners, managers, farmers, aquaculturists, fishermen, scientists, universities, public administrations, hunting societies and NGOs that seek to recover a network of 11,500 hectares of coastal wetlands and marshes in the provinces of Seville, Huelva and Cádiz, with the aim of safeguarding 13,800 hectares in 2027. The members of the Alliance are committed to recovering the natural heritage of the lower Guadalquivir, the Doñana marshes and the Gulf of Cadiz, seeking to conserve the natural capital and ecosystem services that guarantee the quality of life of its inhabitants, and to recover the balance of a unique ecosystem in Europe.
In this way, the primary objective of the Alliance is to ensure the quality of life of the living beings that inhabit its shores, to offer guarantees to an organization as important in the region as the Fishermen's Guild of Sanlúcar to facilitate that they bring the best fish from the Atlantic, the estuaries of the Guadalquivir produce shrimp, quality sea bream and sea bass, and so that Doñana continues to be the most important wetland in Europe, pantry of the European South Atlantic and refuge for thousands of waterfowl.
The Alliance is already working in the area known as the Paleocauce de los Olivillos, in the municipality of La Puebla del Río, with the aim of restoring 60 hectares of marshland, an urgent action in the face of the drastic reduction of wetlands, the decrease in rainfall and the lower availability of water, factors that significantly affect rice cultivation in the area. These conditions, added to the scarcity of flooded areas in the Doñana Natural Area, make the Corta de Los Olivillos a priority area for new restoration interventions.
In this first phase, Salarte has begun the reflooding of 30 hectares of this emblematic paleochannel, which had not received water for four years during the summer season. Thanks to the authorizations obtained in May 2024, Salarte implemented a technical plan that has ensured a stable sheet of water during the summer months, coinciding with the breeding and molting season of numerous species of waterfowl. The interventions included an initial pumping to ensure water circulation and adequate gradients in the water column. In addition, there was the key collaboration of the rice farmers, who contributed decanted water to recover the ecological environment of the old mother of the Guadalquivir, the original channel through which Magellan, Columbus and many crews who crossed the Atlantic sailed.
This first stage of recovery is just the beginning. Salarte plans to continue with the restoration of the Cortas de La Isleta and Los Olivillos, expanding its interventions to other areas of the lower Guadalquivir in the coming years, consolidating its commitment to biodiversity and sustainability. In addition to the reflooding, the project includes the restoration of another 30 hectares by removing mud and invasive vegetation, the integration of livestock to control part of the vegetation in a first phase, manual clearing, the creation of new channels to feed the dry marsh and the adaptation of veins, walls and central islands. which will serve as nesting areas for waterfowl such as waders, which depend on these wetlands for their survival.
The project not only seeks to return an essential habitat to birds and aquatic fauna, but also to contribute to the balance of the Guadalquivir and its marshes, restoring a lost environment that affects both fauna and human communities that depend on the river. Thanks to the commitment of farmers and aquaculturists in the region, this first phase of 30 hectares today represents a refuge and a source of food for threatened and endangered species. "It is not only a matter of giving back to the ducks what should never have been taken from them, but of recovering an essential balance in the ecosystem of the Guadalquivir, guaranteeing that those who live and work on its banks can continue to do so in the future," says Juan Martín, president of Salarte and promoter of the Alliance.
After a year of work, restoration efforts are already showing tangible results. Currently, the 30 hectares reflooded are home to hundreds of red-crested ducks, shovelers, common and brown ducks, gadducks, blue ducks, teals and marbled ducks, swamphens, grebes, grebes, coots, purple herons, stilts, avocets, black-tailed and bar-tailed godwits, terns, terns and harriers, among other taxa. More than 3,000 birds rest and feed in these marshes, which today represent an environment conducive to their development.
This success has generated great expectation in the regions. Mayors such as Lola Prósper (La Puebla del Río), Carmen Álvarez (Sanlúcar de Barrameda) and Modesto González (Coria del Río) have requested technical visits to include new marshes and wetlands in their municipalities in the Alliance for their recovery and management.
Additional Benefits and Goals
Impact on biodiversity and local fisheries: Restored marshes are not only essential for numerous species of flora and fauna, but also strengthen local fisheries. Javier Garat, president of CEPESCA, warns that "if there is no water in the marsh, there is no fishing in the Gulf of Cadiz".
Climate change mitigation: These areas function as storm tanks, retaining water, reducing flooding and sequestering carbon, helping to combat climate change.
Pest control: Reflooding also promotes trophic balance, promoting the proliferation of insectivorous species that control pests such as the mosquitoes that transmit the West Nile virus, according to CSIC researchers.
Sustainable production: According to the scientist José Pedro Cañavate, "each hectare of rehabilitated marshland produces one ton of food per year", contributing to economic development and the fixation of rural population through green jobs.
The project stands as an example of how ecological restoration can harmonize biodiversity, economic development and social well-being in a joint effort for a more sustainable future.
An Alliance that reopens life in the marshes of the Guadalquivir
Sustainability
Deloitte and Salarte are committed to recovering the ecosystem of the marshes with an environmental and social revitalization project committed to biodiversity and local communities
This alliance sets a precedent in innovation and sustainability for future generations, through ecological restoration and job promotion on the Northwest Coast
Two organisations have joined forces in an alliance aimed at recovering a land of great strategic importance on the Northwest Coast: a valuable natural treasure located in the marshes that extend between the Guadalquivir River and the Doñana National Park. This ambitious project, supported by the collaboration between the multinational Deloitte and the Cadiz-based NGO Salarte, aims to revitalise the environment and social of a unique space. The signing of a historic collaboration agreement between the two entities marks the beginning of the project called the Alianza Marismas del Guadalquivir-Doñana (Guadalquivir-Doñana Marshes Alliance), which promises to become a model of integration between environmental conservation and sustainable development.
This project represents a significant milestone, as Deloitte is positioned as the first private sector company to actively join the protection of this unique environment. Its involvement goes beyond economic investment: it is a commitment to sustainability that seeks to generate a lasting impact on both biodiversity and local communities. In a joint effort, Deloitte and Salarte are determined to restore the natural balance of the marshes, while creating new opportunities based on the principles of the blue economy, an approach that promotes the sustainable use of aquatic resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and the health of ecosystems.
The agreement signed will allow the recovery of up to 140 hectares of marshes located between the Cadiz towns of Sanlúcar de Barrameda and Trebujena, two emblematic municipalities on the Northwest Coast. The specific areas of intervention include the historic Salinas de San Carlos and Santa Teresa, in the municipality of Sanlúcar, and the Codo de la Esparraguera, in the municipality of Trebujena. This area, characterised by its biodiversity and ecological importance, has suffered for decades from the effects of abandonment and environmental degradation.
Among the main actions to be carried out within the framework of the project are the restoration of tidal systems, essential to guarantee the natural regeneration of the marshes; the conservation of critical habitats that support numerous species of flora and fauna; and the development of innovative management models that optimize ecosystem services. These actions will focus on activities such as sustainable aquaculture, responsible tourism and scientific research, which will contribute to diversifying economic opportunities in the region.
Beyond Environmental Restoration: A Commitment to People
The recovery of the marshes is not only an ecological issue; The project also pursues social and economic objectives that will directly benefit local communities. Deloitte and Salarte seek not only to preserve the natural environment, but also to promote human development and well-being in the area. To achieve this, both entities have designed a comprehensive plan that combines the recovery of the ecosystem with the creation of employment and the revaluation of traditional trades.
The alliance promotes the recovery of labor practices that have been part of the region's cultural heritage, such as artisanal salt extraction and sustainable fishing. These activities, adapted to modern standards, will be key to generating economic opportunities in line with the natural environment. In addition, the project contemplates an ongoing collaboration with local training centers to train new generations in skills related to the sustainable management of natural resources. This will contribute to strengthening the social and economic fabric, laying the foundations for long-term development.
In the words of Adolfo Gutiérrez de Gandarilla, partner in charge of Deloitte in Andalusia and Extremadura: "We are delighted to be part of such an emblematic project as the Guadalquivir-Doñana Marshes Alliance. Our commitment to sustainability is focused on enhancing natural capital and helping local communities manage their resources responsibly." For his part, Juan Martín Bermúdez, president of Salarte, stressed: "Deloitte's support is crucial to carry out actions that not only benefit biodiversity, but also future generations. We want to teach them the importance of preserving and taking advantage of the environment in a sustainable way, guaranteeing its conservation for the future".
A strategic impact for the region
The collaboration between Deloitte and Salarte highlights how a partnership between the private sector and the third sector can generate a transformative impact in the region. Both entities agree that their commitment goes beyond a simple one-off intervention; This is a long-term effort that seeks to set a precedent in the sustainable management of natural resources.
Thanks to this alliance, the region will become a living laboratory of environmental, social and economic innovation. From protecting iconic species to creating new sustainable business models, the Guadalquivir-Doñana Marshes Alliance aims to demonstrate that it is possible to balance environmental conservation with human progress.
In this context, the project stands as a benchmark in the province of Cádiz and throughout Andalusia, consolidating itself as an inspiring example for future environmental conservation and sustainable development initiatives. This collaborative model not only benefits local communities and biodiversity, but also establishes a roadmap for other projects in which sustainability is at the center.
The Alliance is already generating life in the marshes
The NGO Salarte leads an ambitious project for the restoration, custody and management of wetlands in the regions of the lower Guadalquivir, Doñana and the Northwest Coast. The Guadalquivir-Doñana Marshes Alliance is an innovative commitment that brings together farm owners and owners, managers, farmers, aquaculturists, fishermen, scientists, universities, public administrations, hunting societies and NGOs that seek to recover a network of 11,500 hectares of coastal wetlands and marshes in the provinces of Seville, Huelva and Cádiz, with the aim of safeguarding 13,800 hectares in 2027. The members of the Alliance are committed to recovering the natural heritage of the lower Guadalquivir, the Doñana marshes and the Gulf of Cadiz, seeking to conserve the natural capital and ecosystem services that guarantee the quality of life of its inhabitants, and to recover the balance of a unique ecosystem in Europe.
In this way, the primary objective of the Alliance is to ensure the quality of life of the living beings that inhabit its shores, to offer guarantees to an organization as important in the region as the Fishermen's Guild of Sanlúcar to facilitate that they bring the best fish from the Atlantic, the estuaries of the Guadalquivir produce shrimp, quality sea bream and sea bass, and so that Doñana continues to be the most important wetland in Europe, pantry of the European South Atlantic and refuge for thousands of waterfowl.
The Alliance is already working in the area known as the Paleocauce de los Olivillos, in the municipality of La Puebla del Río, with the aim of restoring 60 hectares of marshland, an urgent action in the face of the drastic reduction of wetlands, the decrease in rainfall and the lower availability of water, factors that significantly affect rice cultivation in the area. These conditions, added to the scarcity of flooded areas in the Doñana Natural Area, make the Corta de Los Olivillos a priority area for new restoration interventions.
In this first phase, Salarte has begun the reflooding of 30 hectares of this emblematic paleochannel, which had not received water for four years during the summer season. Thanks to the authorizations obtained in May 2024, Salarte implemented a technical plan that has ensured a stable sheet of water during the summer months, coinciding with the breeding and molting season of numerous species of waterfowl. The interventions included an initial pumping to ensure water circulation and adequate gradients in the water column. In addition, there was the key collaboration of the rice farmers, who contributed decanted water to recover the ecological environment of the old mother of the Guadalquivir, the original channel through which Magellan, Columbus and many crews who crossed the Atlantic sailed.
This first stage of recovery is just the beginning. Salarte plans to continue with the restoration of the Cortas de La Isleta and Los Olivillos, expanding its interventions to other areas of the lower Guadalquivir in the coming years, consolidating its commitment to biodiversity and sustainability. In addition to the reflooding, the project includes the restoration of another 30 hectares by removing mud and invasive vegetation, the integration of livestock to control part of the vegetation in a first phase, manual clearing, the creation of new channels to feed the dry marsh and the adaptation of veins, walls and central islands. which will serve as nesting areas for waterfowl such as waders, which depend on these wetlands for their survival.
The project not only seeks to return an essential habitat to birds and aquatic fauna, but also to contribute to the balance of the Guadalquivir and its marshes, restoring a lost environment that affects both fauna and human communities that depend on the river. Thanks to the commitment of farmers and aquaculturists in the region, this first phase of 30 hectares today represents a refuge and a source of food for threatened and endangered species. "It is not only a matter of giving back to the ducks what should never have been taken from them, but of recovering an essential balance in the ecosystem of the Guadalquivir, guaranteeing that those who live and work on its banks can continue to do so in the future," says Juan Martín, president of Salarte and promoter of the Alliance.
After a year of work, restoration efforts are already showing tangible results. Currently, the 30 hectares reflooded are home to hundreds of red-crested ducks, shovelers, common and brown ducks, gadducks, blue ducks, teals and marbled ducks, swamphens, grebes, grebes, coots, purple herons, stilts, avocets, black-tailed and bar-tailed godwits, terns, terns and harriers, among other taxa. More than 3,000 birds rest and feed in these marshes, which today represent an environment conducive to their development.
This success has generated great expectation in the regions. Mayors such as Lola Prósper (La Puebla del Río), Carmen Álvarez (Sanlúcar de Barrameda) and Modesto González (Coria del Río) have requested technical visits to include new marshes and wetlands in their municipalities in the Alliance for their recovery and management.
Additional Benefits and Goals
Impact on biodiversity and local fisheries: Restored marshes are not only essential for numerous species of flora and fauna, but also strengthen local fisheries. Javier Garat, president of CEPESCA, warns that "if there is no water in the marsh, there is no fishing in the Gulf of Cadiz".
Climate change mitigation: These areas function as storm tanks, retaining water, reducing flooding and sequestering carbon, helping to combat climate change.
Pest control: Reflooding also promotes trophic balance, promoting the proliferation of insectivorous species that control pests such as the mosquitoes that transmit the West Nile virus, according to CSIC researchers.
Sustainable production: According to the scientist José Pedro Cañavate, "each hectare of rehabilitated marshland produces one ton of food per year", contributing to economic development and the fixation of rural population through green jobs.
The project stands as an example of how ecological restoration can harmonize biodiversity, economic development and social well-being in a joint effort for a more sustainable future.
The following links give more information about this ambitious project:
https://youtu.be/tayKZZLwLGg
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