For more information, please contact: Abraham Berumen 
The Municipality of León joined Cities4Forests as part of its commitment to implement actions against climate change, as set by the 2015 Paris Agreement and other international treaties and conventions. León aims to promote the maintenance and improvement of urban parks (spaces that are particularly accessible and valuable to residents) and the conservation and restoration of Natural Protected Areas (which provide important environmental and social values). León joined Cities4Forests to advance efforts to recover degraded soils, combat mistletoe (a parasite to many urban trees), use biological controls and other organic methods to fight other parasitic plants, and continue promoting reforestation and the development of green areas in avenues and boulevards. León also seeks to create a sense of engagement among its residents on environmental problems and to build support for efforts to create a resilient city that incorporates green infrastructure in planning and territorial zoning.
“With the principle of a “Healthy and Sustainable León,” we will contribute to the mitigation and adaptation to climate change in order to improve the quality of life of our citizens. We will highlight the enormous benefits that urban green areas and forests can provide to urban residents and the role cities can play in helping to conserve, restore and manage urban forests and protected natural areas in a sustainable way.”
Héctor Germán René López Santillana
Mayor of León
INNER FORESTS
León will conduct tree maintenance and thinning in parks and will continue to develop and implement programs that involve citizens in the protection of green areas. The city has also developed a donation program for endemic trees and ornamental plants promoted by the municipal greenhouse.
The city is committed to planting species that are exclusively local and site-appropriate. León seeks to plant 5,000 trees in the urban area per year and to engage the private sector in the care and maintenance of green areas, the adoption of sidewalks, parks, and green areas.
NEARBY FORESTS
León is developing a strategy to better protect its nearby forests. First, the city will conduct a diagnostic study for the Natural Protected Area of Sierra de Lobos to assess the area and determine who will be responsible for watering and maintenance to ensure a greater survival rate for plants.
The city is implementing a firebreak campaign with other government institutions to increase the availability of fire dampers and provide media and advertising to communicate to residents information on fire prevention and emergency response.
León plans to plant 7,000 trees in the surrounding rural areas and 5,000 in the urban area per year if deemed sustainable after an assessment.
Additionally, the city has developed a campaign against mistletoe, a parasitic plant, inside and outside of the city, including the Natural Protected Area of Sierra de Lobos and the city’s outskirts.