The municipality of Tres Cantos was a key participant in the first European meeting of Tree Cities of the World, held in Malaga on September 23 and 24. The town, boasting 60,000 trees and two million square meters of green areas, shared its experience in urban tree management with representatives from international cities such as London, Tokyo, Washington, and Rio de Janeiro.
This natural heritage is a cornerstone of Tres Cantos' identity. The City Council reports a ratio of 1.08 trees per inhabitant, complemented by 30,000 seasonal flowers and extensive green spaces. This recognition has been further solidified by being distinguished for the second consecutive year as a Tree City of the World, a program promoted by the FAO and the Arbor Day Foundation, which brings together 283 cities from 24 countries.
During the meeting in Malaga, the mayor of Tres Cantos, Jesús Moreno, participated in a round table at the Historic Botanical Garden of La Concepción. There, he advocated for the importance of integrating nature into urban planning and shared the municipality's vision on the need for long-term management, seeking a balance between urban development and environmental conservation. "Urban tree management requires planning, resources, and a long-term vision," he stated.
Participation in this forum has served not only to showcase Tres Cantos' initiatives but also to learn from the experiences of other cities and establish contacts for future projects. The next major milestone will be in 2027 when Tres Cantos hosts the VI Spanish Tree Cities Forum, an opportunity to showcase its work and learn from other municipalities.
