Bogotá recognized as an FAO 'Tree City of the World' for second year in a row

For the second consecutive year, the Arbor Day Foundation and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have recognized Bogotá as one of the 'Tree City of the World', making it part of an important global network that leads the work around urban and community forestry.

Accordingly, the capital city joins the 138 cities in 65 countries that hold this membership and reaffirms its commitment to urban tree planting and the improvement of green cover around the world. Bogotá is the second Colombian city to receive this recognition. Barranquilla received it in February 2020, thanks to its outstanding forestry management.

In order for Bogotá to maintain its recognition as a member of the “Tree Cities of the World” program, the Botanical Garden provided relevant technical information on characteristics such as integrated management of trees and green areas, governance and planning, compliance with regulations, and tree planning.

The first application for membership was made by the Botanical Garden of Bogotá in late 2020, in view of the commitments that the District Administration, led by Mayor Claudia Lopez, had been outlining in the 'A New Social and Environmental Contract for the Bogotá of the 21st Century' Development Plan.

In February 2021, the Entity was recognized as a 'Tree City of the World' and since then efforts have been made to advance in the care, maintenance, and protection of plant cover, community participation and commitment is seen clearly in strategies such as joint planting days, called 'Replanting Confidence' and the creation of environmental caretaker networks. Now, Bogotá is again recognized in 2022.

"This recognition commits us even more to continue to work in coordination with citizens and to make the integrated management of vegetation cover a shared task with leaders, groups, sectors, and institutions, always using criteria of sustainability and environmental responsibility", said Martha Liliana Perdomo Ramirez, director of the Botanical Garden of Bogotá.