Can you imagine having more shade while walking through Mexico City? The city has launched a program to plant one million trees in urban areas by 2030, with a target of 200,000 trees per year.
Another 500,000 trees could be added to that total through the participation of the 16 boroughs, bringing the expanded goal to 1.5 million. This final half-million will depend on the cooperation of the boroughs.
Beyond the quantity, there is an important point: the goal is to bring vegetation to areas where it is currently lacking.
The eastern part of Mexico City will be a priority
According to information presented during the launch of the 2026 Urban Reforestation Program and data from WRI Mexico, Iztacalco, Iztapalapa, Venustiano Carranza, Gustavo A. Madero, and Tláhuac are among the priority areas due to their lower vegetation cover and higher temperatures.
The strategy even includes removing concrete from sidewalks and median strips to create spaces where trees can grow and to facilitate water infiltration.
The 3-30-300 rule will also be used as a guideline: that you can see three trees from home or work, that each neighborhood achieves 30% canopy cover, and that there is a high-quality green space within a maximum of 300 meters of residential homes.
What kinds of trees will we see on the streets?
Priority will be given to native species adapted to the urban environment. Among those mentioned are sweetgum, maculí, ash, and palo verde, selected based on factors such as maintenance, climate adaptation, and compatibility with urban infrastructure.
The location of each tree will be key. WRI Mexico is contributing tools to identify heat islands—that is, areas where urban temperatures are particularly high.
The program began on August 19, 2026, in Iztacalco. The specific locations of the upcoming plantings have yet to be confirmed.
Source: information from the 2026 Urban Reforestation Program and WRI Mexico.
