This prestigious award, granted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Arbor Day Foundation, highlights these cities' commitment to the care, management, and appreciation of their urban trees. In total, 21 Spanish municipalities have received this distinction, joining 283 cities from 24 countries across six continents.
The Andalusian Multisectoral Gardening Association (AMJA) announced this recognition, which is awarded to cities that meet five fundamental requirements for urban tree management. These include having a specific person responsible for tree management, clear regulations or policies for their care, an inventory or assessment of tree canopy cover, a dedicated annual budget, and celebrating activities that promote the importance of trees and the work of those who care for them.
The Andalusian capital, Seville, meets all these specifications. It has a Parks and Gardens delegation, currently managed by Evbelia Rincón, an Urban Tree Master Plan for Seville, and an Inventory of Seville's Trees. Additionally, it maintains a detailed record of Seville's Singular Trees and specimens felled for safety reasons, known as Tree Felling 2026.
“"Planting trees is not just about creating tree cover, but about nurturing and supporting a city. With over 68% of the world's population projected to reside in urban areas by 2050, it is more important than ever for cities to be green, dynamic, inclusive, and resilient places for people and nature."
Other Spanish cities recognized alongside the Andalusian ones include Alcalá de Henares, Aranjuez, Barcelona, Cieza, Fuenlabrada, Inca, Las Rozas de Madrid, Leganés, Madrid, Majadahonda, Onda, Pozuelo de Alarcón, Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Salamanca, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tres Cantos, and Valencia. This program aims to foster a global network of cities committed to the management and celebration of their urban forests and trees, promoting successful approaches worldwide.
