The trap is made from wire mesh and shaped like a cylinder. Two additional wire mesh pieces shaped like a cone are attached at both ends. The diameter of the narrower end is kept smaller to allow only small fish to enter the trap. To lure them in, bait is placed inside. A piece of a net holds the bait. A string is fixed to the trap so that users can easily sink and retrieve the trap.

The local community was consulted into the spatial planning process. The process involved holding big workshops for local community and inviting several interest groups, especially those of livestock owners, tourism workers, and hunting enthusiasts. The purpose was 2 main things; 1) to collect local data and knowledge into the planning product and more importantly to build a sense of ownership and belonging of the local community to the potential planning product.

Data from various sources were collectively integrated and put into a spatial prioritization and optimization algorithm based on targets stemming out from the Primary Management objectives of the Reser. This Algorithm is known as MARXAN working under a process termed as simulated annealing.  

The resulting planning product is then shared back to the local community and other stakeholders including governmental and non governmental entities to collect thier feedback to further tweak the product for maximum sustainability.

The Sembrando Ciudades initiative is working on its field activities in this fourth city in the state of Yucatan.

The Sembrando Ciudades initiative is working on its field activities in this fourth city in the state of Nayarit.

The next city selected was San Mateo del Mar in Oaxaca, this location has multiple current and future challenges regarding the climate crisis, its location and geographical conditions make it a city highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

Together with the Municipal Government of San Mateo del Mar, we were able to work closely with the Ikoots community, the Institute of Indigenous Peoples (INPI) and the Indigenous Women's House (CAMI). The implementation site was the Espinal Sports Field, with a shaded and revegetation space, and in the CAMI with a support space to preserve and promote the community's ancestral knowledge.

The results were:

Environmental connectivity device - demonstration project.

• Cultivation bed 2.5 m long, 1.25 m wide and 0.50 m deep, for the cultivation of medicinal plants for community use.
• Revegetation of 289 m2 with various tropical species selected for their ability to tolerate soil salinity and drought conditions in the El Espinal Sports Field.
• Implementation of a 6 m long, 4.2 m wide, and 4.4 m high space at the El Espinal Sports Field, using traditional and local techniques and materials.

Mural and floor painting

• 228 m2 of mural painting
• 200 m2 of floor painting in a sports field.

Community workshops:

• 4 workshops and participatory outreach activities delivered to 41 participants.
• 4 workshops and participatory activities on Integrated Risk and Disaster Management (IRDM) for 58 people.

Workshops for civil servants:

• 1 theoretical (virtual) course on technical strengthening for the diagnosis and management of urban trees.

Tijuana, Baja California, was the second city to implement the initiative. For this edition, we worked together with the Metropolitan Planning Institute of Tijuana (IMPLAN), determining as the implementation site the Third Stage of the Tijuana River, this area presented difficulties of accessibility for pedestrians, lack of shaded areas and green areas.

The results were:

Environmental connectivity device - demonstration project.

• 32m2 revegetation space with native species, accompanied by substrates and mulching to promote infiltration of rainwater to the subsoil and reduce the effects of heat islands.
• 2 hotels for pollinators
• 4 elements of urban furniture printed in 3D technology by Holcim (four benches donated thanks to a collaboration with the private sector).

Mural and floor painting

• 200m2 of mural painting
• 200m2 of floor painting which consisted of games for children.

Community workshops:

• 2 workshops and participatory outreach activities delivered to 20 participants.
• 6 workshops and participatory activities on Integrated Risk and Disaster Management (IRDM) for 46 people.

Workshops for civil servants:

1 practical workshop (face-to-face) and theoretical course (virtual) on technical strengthening for the diagnosis and management of urban trees.

The first edition of the project took place in Boca del Río, Veracruz, where the logistics and execution of the activities at the selected implementation site were worked out in conjunction with the municipality's City Hall.

The Parque Lineal Dren B, due to its needs related to construction characteristics, dynamism of activities and proximity to school equipment, represented an ideal site. It is composed mostly by a long pavement slab and few tree species that provide shade, when combining these characteristics with the climatic conditions of the area, it potentiates the heat island effect, making its habitability complicated during daylight hours with sunlight due to the high temperatures reached; and due to the high rainfall, accumulation of urban solid waste in the sewage system and high ground surface sealed with pavement, there are usually areas with flooding, promoting the generation of bad odors and affecting the inhabitants of the area.

The solutions for this edition of the project were oriented to generate a water infiltration garden, greater shade spaces and the construction of play options for children, accompanied by color interventions throughout the park.

The results were:

Environmental connectivity device - demonstration project.

• 25m2 infiltrative garden
• Unstructured playground of 42.31m2
• 2 interventions in urban furniture elements, pergolas on two benches (2.16m2 and 1.45m high).
• Installation of informative and environmental education screens on Arroyo Moreno (in collaboration with Ecopil) along the Dren B Linear Park.

Painting of murals and floor:

• 202.24m2 of mural painting.
• 170m2 of floor painting.

Community workshops:

• 6 outreach and dissemination activities.
• 4 workshops and participatory outreach activities with 36 participants.
• 6 workshops and participatory activities on Integrated Risk and Disaster Management (IRDM) for 45 people.

Workshops for civil servants:

1 practical workshop (face-to-face) and theoretical course (virtual) on technical strengthening for the diagnosis and management of urban trees.

Reforestation in an elementary school in the Metropolitan Zone of Veracruz and a practical workshop on urban reforestation for students and teachers.

• Twenty-eight students actively participated.
• The impact of these interventions extends to the entire student community, equivalent to 540 students and 26 teachers.
• A total of 25 species were reforested, including majestic trees, medium-sized trees, shrubs and aromatic plants.
• Impact area of 4,248m2

Sembrando Ciudades has two major components, the technical process and the participatory process with the community, for which each of the consulting teams has expertise in one of the two areas, and combined, it was possible to maximize its scope and impact. For the more technical component, the REVIVE team carried out a series of strategies and local actions in favor of the conservation, improvement and expansion of urban trees and green infrastructure, generating a spatial and operational toolbox to promote informed decision making on urban greening needs. Colectivo Tomate led the participatory processes by promoting the construction of a community model through multiple activities of environmental awareness and integrated risk management, strengthening the inhabitants to face the current challenges and appropriate the demonstrative solution to promote climate adaptation installed in the public space.

Throughout the work with each city, there were different stages according to the type of activities carried out:

• Preliminary

First approach with local officials, population and civil society involved with each city, in order to present the vision and objective of the project, as well as to generate a communication network to support the logistics of the implementation of all the activities to be carried out.

Spatial diagnosis of the selected site in terms of urban trees, pollution indexes, heat islands, among others, as well as a face-to-face analysis of the site to determine the feasibility of implementation aligned with the objectives of the initiative.

• Awareness-raising

Meetings with the community surrounding the implementation site where the field team introduces itself and explains the project's objective. Using a socio-artistic methodology, spaces are created to meet and dialogue with the people to learn about their needs, and thus begin to build a collaborative proposal sufficient to execute a demonstrative action in the public space that meets local needs.

• Socialization and training

Capacity building for the community and local officials, through awareness raising and socialization of essential concepts to address the climate crisis.

• Implementation

Installation of demonstrative actions that favor climate adaptation and meet local needs, promoting environmental and social connectivity in the area, as well as color interventions through murals and floor painting to promote the habitability and enjoyment of the space by children and neighbors.

• Closing

Commemorative space for the delivery of the results of the project, recognizing all the key actors involved, and community participation.

• Our transnational cooperation was largely based on personal contacts and larger efforts were dependent on external funding. The work for the preparation of the joint management plan has allowed us to structure the transnational cooperation and formalize it. All these measures will contribute to a more sustainable and long-term cooperation that isn´t so dependent on personal connections. 
• Now we have a better explanation of the tasks and organization of the transnational cooperation group, and we also included all municipalities in the area in the group.  
• An expert panel will help in management questions considering protection of World Heritage values and give valuable input to both site managers and the transnational cooperation group.
• Personnel from different levels in the management authorities in both countries will meet regularly, and this is written into the management plan.   

In order to achieve behaviour change among communities, well-crafted environmental restoration and climate-smart agriculture messages should be disseminated in a persuasive, exciting, and attractive way that is friendly to all and culturally accepted by respective communities.  Well-known practical examples are demonstrated for easy understanding of the program.