The capital of Gran Canaria is seeking to shift the paradigm of its urban forest management. The project, recently analyzed at Castillo de Mata, aims to move away from viewing trees as mere decorative elements and instead treat them as essential infrastructure for the city's human and environmental development.
The strategy, known as the Green Package, is supported by technical advice from biodiversity experts. According to those in charge of the project, the goal is to establish stable rules that allow results to be consolidated over a 20 to 30-year horizon, moving beyond political cycles and short-term maintenance contracts.
“"Trees do not understand political terms, contracts with companies, or external consultancies. The timing of trees is very different from the timing we manage."
The Department of Strategic Development, Sustainability, and Parks and Gardens has identified historical shortcomings, such as isolated planning and drastic pruning that stresses the trees. The new approach prioritizes ecosystem functionality and citizen integration, including the protection of the 331 specimens listed as unique.
The city's mayor, Carolina Darias, highlighted during the opening of the sessions that this change in perspective is fundamental for the city's future. Meanwhile, the municipal parks department emphasizes the importance of neighborhood coexistence, promoting environmental education in local districts to prevent vandalism and encourage shared care of the natural heritage.
