The Mexican state of Tabasco is launching its "Reforestation 2025" campaign, set to begin on October 12, 2025. Governor Javier May Rodríguez is spearheading this significant initiative with the ambitious goal of planting 2.4 million native trees as part of a broader environmental strategy. The campaign will focus on cultivating and planting native species, some of which are not widely recognized by the public.
The "El Dorado" nursery, affiliated with the Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, is currently growing over 80 different native species. Among these are the arrayán and gogo, plants known for their medicinal properties and unique flavor profiles. To encourage public participation and environmental stewardship, residents can register on the official portal, reforestando.tabasco.gob.mx. This website provides registration and essential guidance on the proper techniques for planting and caring for these native plants.
The initiative aims to foster greater environmental awareness among the population and to reintroduce vital, often overlooked, plant species into the region's ecological landscape. This reforestation effort aligns with national trends in Mexico, where community-based forest management has demonstrated potential in reducing poverty and boosting local economies through job creation and sustainable resource use. Mexico faces significant challenges with high deforestation rates, with estimates indicating that over 1.7 million hectares of jungle have disappeared in the last 60 years, leaving only about 5% of its original forest cover. This campaign is a critical step toward reversing this trend and restoring Tabasco's natural beauty, contributing to both local ecological health and global sustainability goals.
The cultivation of native species is particularly important, as these plants are adapted to local climate and soil conditions, offering numerous environmental and economic benefits, including potential medicinal uses and support for biodiversity. Governor May Rodríguez's past involvement in community conservation projects underscores a commitment to ecological well-being. Tabasco has historically experienced significant forest loss, with over 1.7 million hectares of jungle disappearing in the last 60 years, leaving only about 5% of its original forest cover. This campaign is a crucial step in reversing this trend and restoring the natural beauty of Tabasco, contributing to both local ecological health and global sustainability goals.