Don’t Miss Mérida’s Sixth National Arboriculture Forum!

For the first time, Mérida will be the venue for the sixth National Forum on Tropical Arboriculture. This event aims to create a platform where experts and enthusiasts can share their knowledge and experiences about preserving trees in urban environments. The Olimpo Cultural Center will host the forum on July 16 and 17, focusing on the importance of arboriculture amidst climate change and global warming.

Arboriculture involves the use, management, and protection of trees in urban settings. This responsibility falls on citizens, governments, and institutions. Given the ongoing environmental crisis, the role of trees as part of the solution is not just important, but urgent and a priority, according to Carlos Trejo, the forum's organizer and a member of the Mexican Association of Arboriculture (AMA).

Trejo, also a researcher at the Institute for Regional Conservation (IRC), explains that the forum's activities are based on societal interests and address previously raised issues. The forum welcomes anyone interested in understanding the significance of arboriculture beyond just planting trees. The program includes non-academic talks, such as "Sprouting Letters: Trees in Literature" by Andrés Cota, and "Use of Humor to Teach to Love Trees" by Rafael Reynoso.

Trejo will present a talk titled "Arboriculture in 1821 and 1918 in Yucatán?!" highlighting that the state had a tree protection law.

The event is free and does not require prior registration. Alongside the forum, the Tree Cities of the World program for Latin America will also be celebrated, recognizing Mexican cities with significant achievements in arboriculture. Mérida has been a recipient of this award for five consecutive years.

Arboriculture tools are crucial for improving urban tree populations, benefitting citizens and entities that manage the city. Alejandra Bolio Rojas, director of the Sustainable Development Unit of the Mérida City Council, emphasizes that the forum aligns with the Eleventh Forest Crusade. This annual event, usually held in June and July, places trees at the center of municipal activities, fostering greater awareness among citizens.

The forum will begin at 9 am on July 16, featuring exhibits of products and services related to arboriculture, including nurseries, landscape design, and work tools.