The Association for the Empowerment of a Green Life (EDUVV) promotes reforestation in urban areas across Mexico. The organization is committed to sparking dialogue, inspiring change leadership in communities, and creating partnerships between government, civil society, and the private sector. Its ultimate goal is to create greener, more sustainable, and more biodiverse cities and towns.
The benefits of the urban forest
EDUVV recognizes that urban reforestation—planting trees and creating green space in cities—can improve a community’s sustainability, boost residents’ quality of life, and help people adapt to climate change.
Many cities experience what’s called the “urban heat island effect.” These urban areas see higher temperatures than rural or natural, undeveloped areas because concrete, pavement, and buildings absorb more heat than vegetation and green space. You may have experienced this effect on a small scale: on a hot day, you may feel the heat more intensely when you’re standing on a paved sidewalk versus in the middle of a grassy field. Climate change will likely worsen this effect, but fortunately, cities can take action to mitigate it.
Urban reforestation can help combat the heat island effect because trees provide shade and green cover that has a cooling effect. Trees and green space also improve quality of life for city residents: they offer a welcome break from the concrete jungle, they help filter the air, and they offer pleasant shade on a hot day. Properly positioned trees can even reduce a building’s energy consumption. In addition, urban forests provide habitat for a surprisingly biodiverse array of birds and other species, and they can help control stormwater runoff during heavy rain.
Urban forest and green spaces also have benefits that have nothing to do with the environment or climate change adaptation. They offer a communal “third space” apart from the home and the workplace where people can gather together to relax, play, exercise, learn, talk, share ideas, and simply enjoy each other’s company. Urban green spaces are a fundamental part of what makes living in a city enjoyable.
It should also be noted that UN Sustainable Development Goal #11 is to “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.” Urban reforestation can certainly help cities move closer to this goal.
EDUVV’s work
EDUVV’s work around urban reforestation falls into three categories:
- Community organizing
- Social and cultural events
- Planting trees
EDUVV regularly organizes events where volunteers come together to socialize, have fun, and plant trees. The organization invites companies to participate in similar volunteer projects as well, and hosts philanthropic events.
History
EDUVV was born out of an identified need to both promote community in urban areas and protect the environment via urban reforestation. From the outset, the organization’s goal has been to create a blueprint for action that can be replicated throughout the country.
The organization was also founded with the goal of changing the collective culture to one of responsibility and empowerment. This idea had been incubating over the years, but it was crystalized by the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as the pandemic caused people all over the world to reassess their priorities and values, EDUVV’s founders felt compelled to take action and launch an ambitious project to ensure that everyone has access to green spaces and all the associated benefits.
Pilot Project
In 2022, EDUVV launched a pilot project in the Community Plaza and La Griega Sports Unit Area in the town of La Griega in Querétaro, Mexico. In launching the project, EDUVV was inspired by UN Sustainable Development Goals 3, 11, 13, 15, and 17: Good Health and Wellbeing, Sustainable Cities and Communities, Climate Action, Life on Land, and Partnerships for the Goals.
The Pilot Project is improving the area through reforestation with native trees and creating community spaces for dialogue, learning, and sports and recreation. The trees, in turn, are supporting the growth of other plant life and helping to combat soil erosion. Reforestation is being carried out in stages and is guided by the town’s unique environmental and community needs.
To facilitate the Pilot Project, EDUVV forged alliances with the private sector, including GEN Industrial and the Gira Interdisciplinary Group of Environmental Restoration, among others.
HUMA 2021
HUMA 2021 was a philanthropic cultural event staged by EDUVV to raise awareness about climate change, inspire people to take action on climate, and promote a new green culture. In creating the event, EDUVV was motivated to combat the complacency and sense of boredom that people often display when it comes to climate and environmental issues. The organizers sought to create a dynamic, environment-focused event that would combine food, art, style, and culture while sparking dialogue and conversation.
The beautiful Tá Hotel de Diseño in Querétaro was chosen as the venue for HUMA 2021. Attendees enjoyed cocktails, sushi, and mezcal while learning about EDUVV’s mission, climate change, and urban reforestation. They also had the opportunity to participate in a raffle. Mexico-based contemporary artist Fermín La Calaca, known for his urban pop art style and vivid use of neon colors, donated one of his artworks to the event. It was raffled along with several bottles of Cómplice mezcal to benefit EDUVV.