Mexico City, Sonora Partner to Strengthen Urban Forests

Sonora and Mexico City will strengthen the exchange of experiences related to the conservation, restoration, and management of urban forests. The partnership also seeks to promote the creation of a national network of urban parks and facilitate collaboration between environmental authorities, specialists and institutions to improve the conservation and management of green spaces in cities.

Clara Brugada, Mexico City Mayor, and Alfonso Durazo, Governor, Sonora, signed a collaboration agreement to promote the exchange of experiences, technical knowledge and environmental management strategies focused on the conservation, restoration, and management of urban forests, with particular emphasis on the development of Bosque La Sauceda and Bosque de Chapultepec.

During the event, held at Chapultepec Forest, Brugada highlighted that the agreement will help consolidate an ongoing exchange between both governments to strengthen the management of urban forests and advance the creation of a national collaboration network that promotes the conservation of these strategic spaces for environmental balance and quality of life.

The Center for Ecological Research and Forest Applications of the University of Barcelona defines an urban forest as a large collection of trees, shrubs and herbaceous vegetation found in cities. These spaces provide environmental services such as the absorption of ultraviolet radiation and glare, the reduction of wind intensity, high temperatures, heat waves and noise pollution, as well as the capture and reduction of air pollutants. They also provide recreational spaces that connect people with nature and can host urban flora and fauna, thereby increasing biodiversity.

Brugada explained that the agreement stems from the interest of the Sonora government in learning from the capital’s experience in forest management and conservation in order to strengthen the development of La Sauceda Forest, an urban park of more than 200ha located in the city of Hermosillo. “It is very important that what unites the governor of Sonora and myself, beyond our shared vision for the country and its cities, is precisely environmental restoration,” she said.

The mayor also highlighted that Chapultepec Forest is one of the largest and most important urban forests in the world and an emblematic space due to its historical, cultural and environmental value. She recalled that during the administration of former President López Obrador an investment of more than MX$10 billion (US$559.8 million) was allocated for the park’s recovery, expansion and transformation.

Chapultepec Forest covers 866.37ha and receives around 25 million visitors each year. It has major ecological importance, representing 52% of the green areas in Mexico City and providing essential environmental services such as water recharge and temperature regulation, while also serving as a refuge for migratory birds and native wildlife. For this reason, in 2003 it was declared an Environmental Value Area. Furthermore, it is one of the city’s most emblematic recreational spaces, hosting 18 cultural venues across its four sections.

Brugada emphasized the importance of forests as “water factories,” since they allow the capture and infiltration of water resources that supply the capital. She noted that Mexico City has nearly 88,000ha of conservation land, equivalent to about 60% of its territory. She explained that the so-called Bosque de Agua, composed of forest areas in the southern part of the city such as Ajusco, La Magdalena Contreras, Cuajimalpa, Milpa Alta and Xochimilco, as well as forest zones in the states of State of Mexico and Morelos, provides around 70% of the water that supplies the capital, making its conservation essential for the city’s future.

As part of this collaboration, both governments will promote the creation of a national network of urban parks, as well as organize a meeting of specialists and environmental authorities at La Sauceda Forest to share experiences and strengthen the conservation of these spaces across the country.

Governor Durazo emphasized that the recovery and transformation of La Sauceda represents one of the most emblematic projects of his administration, rescuing a historic space and transforming it into a meeting point for families that promotes healthy recreation alongside environmental and cultural activities. “We see an example here and we want to replicate in the state of Sonora everything that has been extraordinarily successful in the city government. Why invent or test when there are already models here that have delivered very valuable results for the community?” he said.

The governor explained that La Sauceda Forest, located in central Hermosillo has now expanded to 210ha thanks to support from the private sector. Due to its size and importance, he said, it is essential to replicate successful management models such as that of Chapultepec Forest. In this sense, he recognized the governance model of the capital’s forest, highlighting the joint participation of the city government and the collaboration of the private sector.

“We will rely on them to adopt a management model that allows the park to achieve economic and financial self-sufficiency so that it never falls into decline again. Chapultepec Forest is more than 100 years old and you see it improving all the time. That is thanks to its financial model and, of course, to the commitment of the Mexico City government. It is not free, but it has never declined, and I must guarantee that La Sauceda Park will never decline again,” he said.

La Sauceda, inaugurated in 1994, is a wetland and recreational park located in eastern Hermosillo, Sonora. After nearly 13 years of abandonment, the first phase of the complex reopened in March 2025 with an investment exceeding MX$200 million. The second phase is expected to complete improvements to the 40ha that make up the main complex, while the third phase will develop spaces on the Cementera hill, covering an additional 170ha.

Julia Álvarez, Mexico City’s Minister of Environment, said that signing the agreement will allow the technical, institutional and management experience accumulated over more than 24 years at Chapultepec Forest to support the development of the La Sauceda urban forest in Sonora. She added that the agency will provide all necessary technical support to strengthen the project, in an exchange that will also generate new ideas and learning opportunities for the country’s capital. “Just as Chapultepec can share its experience, in a short time La Sauceda will generate innovations that can be replicated in the city and in the capital’s forest itself,” Álvarez said.

Environmental authorities from both entities and representatives of the Fideicomiso ProBosque de Chapultepec were also present at the signing of the agreement. They agreed that this collaboration will strengthen the integrated management of urban green spaces and promote the exchange of successful experiences for the benefit of citizens.