Mexico’s tree-planting program actually results in less forest in Yucatán
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Mexico’s tree-planting program actually results in less forest in Yucatán

An investigation into a program meant to preserve Mexico’s forests shows how good intentions can result in unintended consequences. Dozens of saplings grow scattered around charred tree stumps in the hills of Yucatán and Campeche, thanks to Mexico’s vast reforestation program, Sembrando Vida, or Sowing Life. But so too is the burned-out clearing. In this part…

A block on Calle 60 is suddenly tree-lined, a taste of things to come in the Centro

A block on Calle 60 is suddenly tree-lined, a taste of things to come in the Centro

Native trees such as ceiba, hibiscus and flor de Mayo are bringing green to the Centro and making more space for pedestrians to spread out. Around 2,000 pots will be gradually placed to delimit expanded pedestrian spaces along 36 roads from Calle 66 to the west, 57 to the north, 52 to the east and…

Ceiba tree spared, moved elsewhere as airport expansion overtakes green space

Ceiba tree spared, moved elsewhere as airport expansion overtakes green space

Not every tree was chopped down when a modest green space was cleared at the Merida Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport.  A huge, decades-old ceiba tree, considered sacred in Maya culture, was transplanted elsewhere at the complex. Transplanting mature trees is difficult and not guaranteed to save the life of the tree, but the company charged with…

Majestic trees at Merida airport chopped down as green gives way to growth

Majestic trees at Merida airport chopped down as green gives way to growth

Merida International Airport’s huge, mature trees — home to countless grackles that greeted arrivals — were unceremoniously chopped down while the facility expands. “They cut down the beautiful trees over 50 years of life that were in the garden of Merida Airport,” a traveler from Merida complained on social media. “That’s not being better. That’s not…

Lethal bacteria from Yucatan threatens palm trees in U.S., Caribbean
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Lethal bacteria from Yucatan threatens palm trees in U.S., Caribbean

A fatal bacteria that originated in Yucatan now threatens Florida’s iconic palm trees. Lethal bronzing also is found in parts of Texas and throughout the Caribbean. The disease has already heavily damaged Jamaica’s coconut plantations. Some worry it will migrate to California and Arizona, infecting date crops. But ground zero for the bacteria is the…

Scientists who ensured healthy forests are fired, lab shut down
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Scientists who ensured healthy forests are fired, lab shut down

The Yucatan Peninsula’s natural treasures are at risk with the federal government’s closing of a 12-year-old science unit that protected its diverse plant life. The Forest Germplasm Production Unit (UPGF), under the National Forestry Commission (Conafor), closed its doors July 1. The shutdown leaves no one to manage and care for seeds to reforest Mexico’s…

President’s reforestation plan aims to restore cacao and coffee production

President’s reforestation plan aims to restore cacao and coffee production

Fruit and timber trees will be planted on nearly 1.5 million acres in Mexico’s south. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador’s ambitious forestry program, announced Friday, also includes cacao and coffee crops, starting in Veracruz. If successful, the plan will reverse Mexico’s position as a net importer of cacao, the basis of chocolate. Other countries far…

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