Quito will reforest areas damaged by wildfires
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The city of Quito, Ecuador, plans to replant nearly 2,000 hectares of land damaged by wildfires.
The municipal government intends to restore 70% of this area during 2026, beginning with a reforestation event on October 24th in eight sectors including Carcelén Bajo and Ciudad Bicentenario. Further planting is scheduled for October 29th in the Colorada ravine and November 7th in Alangasí, San Juan, and Nayón, with a second large-scale community planting day on November 14th covering nine additional locations.
The reforestation effort will use native plants, drones to spread seeds in hard-to-reach areas, and allow for natural regeneration. Santiago Sandoval, the Secretary of Environment, emphasized the importance of environmental education and climate action to encourage citizen responsibility. Quito previously restored over 1,500 hectares after fires in 2024, employing similar methods. Beyond replanting, Quito has increased annual tree planting from around 16,000 to 150,000 trees.
The city also aims to increase green space per resident from 16 to 22 square meters. Residents can participate in these efforts by registering through the “Tu huella Quito” app, which also measures individual carbon footprints and offers other volunteer opportunities. Private companies, municipal institutions, and universities are also joining the initiative.
