Constanza Sánchez
Alcalá de Henares has been recognized for the fifth consecutive year with the ‘Tree Cities of the World 2024’ distinction by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Arborday Foundation.
Sixteen other Spanish cities and 210 cities from 24 countries have also received this recognition, achieved «thanks to the work, maintenance, and care of urban trees, through municipal green space services and environmental education,» as explained by the Alcalá City Council in a statement.
Ancient vegetables to preserve biodiversity in orchards
The Councilor for Environment, Vicente Pérez, has indicated that «this recognition is the result of the work of an entire team from the Department of Environment dedicated every day of the year to make Alcalá richer in tree cover and biodiversity.»
Pérez emphasized that «Alcalá de Henares works tirelessly to improve green spaces and the conservation of trees, increasing the urban forest year after year.»
As of today, the city has over 60,000 large tree specimens under municipal management, not including the riverside forest trees of the Henares River, Los Cerros, or private plots.
Alcobendas distributes 418 trees for residents to plant
Pérez noted that thousands of trees were planted last year, such as the 1,400 holm oaks in the Great Espartales Park or the over 6,000 seedlings with the collaboration of citizens or organizations like Plant For The Planet or One Million Trees.
In total, during 2024, 6,500 trees ranging from 12-16 centimeters in diameter to 30 centimeters in trunk height have been planted in various green spaces and tree-lined streets of our city.
Furthermore, thanks to the collaboration of entities, associations, foundations, and companies, nearly 5,600 forest seedlings have been planted in different peri-urban spaces.
The Alcalá City Council highlighted that reforestation and renaturalization efforts are ongoing.
