The "Colectivo Rescate Río San Pedro in Quito" exemplifies the profound impact that civil society can have on the restoration and management of urban rivers. This collective has spearheaded efforts to transform the San Pedro River from a neglected waterway into a thriving ecological and community hub. Initiating with the first community cleanup event, or minga, in November 2021, the collective has demonstrated unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Rationale
The "Colectivo Rescate Río San Pedro in Quito" exemplifies the profound impact that civil society can have on the restoration and management of urban rivers. This collective has spearheaded efforts to transform the San Pedro River from a neglected waterway into a thriving ecological and community hub. Initiating with the first community cleanup event, or minga, in November 2021, the collective has demonstrated unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Strategy
Our main strategy for cooperation are the "mingas," (traditional Andean approach to communal cooperation in which community members bring their resources together to achieve common goals). Periodically, volunteers gather on weekends to clean the river. Since 2021, 23 mingas have been held, collecting more than 13 tons of waste with the help of more than 1,500 volunteers coming from all over the city.
Methods
Our initiative incorporates multiple strategies to address the environmental challenges of the San Pedro River, focusing efforts on social awareness, environmental education, scientific research, and effective dissemination. We recognize the river as a living being with rights and we aspire to be its voice, to promote its protection and restoration.
Our river with garbage that shouldn´t be there
With volunteers we remove garbage from the banks
We join together in community around the river to listen to it and recognize it
We recognize the river as a being of life and we want to give it back its place
We learn and celebrate by the river
We recognize ourselves as part of the ecosystem and dream of bathing in its waters soon
