Puerto Vallarta has earned a major international honor by being named a Tree City of the World for 2024. This is the first time the city has received this international honor, which is awarded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Arbor Day Foundation, and the Reforestamos México Civil Association.
The recognition highlights Puerto Vallarta’s commitment to protecting and increasing its tree population as part of its broader sustainability goals. Under the leadership of Mayor Luis Munguía, the city has taken meaningful steps to care for its natural surroundings and improve quality of life through thoughtful environmental planning.
Laura García Santamaría, who oversees the Tree Cities of the World program in Mexico and Latin America, presented the award and official flag to Lucía Carmina Michel, Chief Administrative and Human Resources Officer, who accepted the honor on behalf of the mayor.
To receive this distinction, Puerto Vallarta met five key standards: assigning a person responsible for tree care, enforcing local regulations that protect trees, gathering useful data to guide decision-making, setting an annual budget for planting and maintenance, and involving the public in activities that celebrate and care for trees.
“This award would not have been possible without the support of local organizations, academic institutions, and countless residents who have taken part in tree-related projects,” said Lucía Carmina Michel. “It motivates us to keep moving forward with policies that make Puerto Vallarta greener and more prepared for the future.”
Also present at the ceremony were Councilor Magdalena Urbina, president of the City Environment Commission; Dr. Bartolo Cruz, Director of Environmental Sustainability; biologist Frida Corrales, director of the Sierra de Vallejo Río Ameca Biosphere Reserve; and Thamara Esquivel, coordinator of the city’s Arboriculture Program.
This recognition places Puerto Vallarta on a growing list of cities around the world that are working to improve their environment by caring for the trees that add beauty, shade, and health to public spaces.
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