Murcia families plant 158 trees to celebrate environmental pioneer Ricardo Codorniu

Families in Murcia have helped plant 158 trees as part of a community event celebrating the 180th anniversary of the birth of Ricardo Codorniu, a pioneering environmentalist known as the ‘Apostle of the Tree’. The event brought residents together to help create a new urban forest in Espinardo, with hundreds more trees planned for the area.

Families join Tree Festival in Espinardo

The Fiesta del Arbol, or Tree Festival, took place on Sunday, November 8, in Joven Futura, Espinardo, bringing together residents of all ages to help create a new urban forest between the city and surrounding countryside.

With guidance from council workers, children and adults learned how to prepare the ground, plant trees correctly and give them their first watering.

The day also included yoga, children’s workshops, music and environmental activities, making the occasion an opportunity for families to enjoy time outdoors while contributing to the new green space.

The hands-on planting activities gave younger participants a chance to learn about caring for trees and the importance of looking after their local environment.

Festival honours environmental pioneer Ricardo Codorniu

Ricardo Codorniu was a forestry engineer who championed tree planting and environmental education long before conservation became a familiar topic.

He helped establish the Tree Festival in Murcia, encouraging communities to take responsibility for their green spaces.

This year’s celebration marked the 180th anniversary of his birth, continuing his legacy by involving local families directly in planting trees.

The new recreational garden will also bear his name, recognising his contribution to forestry and environmental awareness in Murcia.

New Murcia urban forest to contain over 700 trees

Sunday’s planting was the first of three planned sessions which will add 548 trees to the new Ricardo Codorniu recreational garden.

Covering almost 40,000 square metres, the completed urban forest will contain more than 700 trees, including those already growing in the area.

The project forms part of Murcia’s wider Plan Foresta initiative, which has already planted more than 37,000 trees across the municipality.

The remaining planting sessions will continue the development of the recreational garden, adding to the green space between Espinardo and the surrounding countryside.