Mexico City is set to host the "Pollinators and Plants" reforestation event on August 22, 2025, in the Bosques de las Lomas Protected Natural Area. Organized by the city's Secretariat of the Environment, the initiative aims to enhance the area's vegetation cover by planting 750 native plants, including Cosmos bipinnatus, Symphoricarpos microphyllus, and Tigridia pavonia. These species are crucial for providing essential resources like nectar and pollen to support a diverse range of pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, thereby strengthening ecosystem resilience and plant genetic diversity.
The event will take place at Fraction 16 of the ANP, Bosque de Alerces, within the Bosques de las Lomas area in Miguel Hidalgo, starting at 9:00 AM. Participants are advised to wear comfortable clothing, closed-toe shoes, and a hat, and to bring their own water. This effort is part of the larger "Tequio por la Restauración" project, which promotes nature-based solutions for urban environmental improvements. Bosques de las Lomas, designated as a Zone Subject to Ecological Conservation, faces challenges from invasive ornamental species, though pockets of native oak forests persist and are vital for aquifer recharge and soil stabilization. The introduction of native flora is intended to bolster these natural processes and create a more robust urban-regional landscape. Research, such as studies in Mexico City's La Cantera Park, has demonstrated a strong preference among pollinators for native plant species, highlighting their importance in urban green spaces for maximizing habitat quality and pollinator biodiversity. Globally, pollinator populations are declining due to habitat loss and pesticide use, making initiatives like this critical for urban ecosystem health and sustainability.