PUERTO VALLARTA (PVDN) – The renowned Vallarta Botanical Garden has officially been declared a Protected Natural Area under the category “Voluntarily Destined Area for Conservation,” marking it as the second space in Jalisco to receive this specific designation.
The Ministry of Environment and Territorial Development (Semadet) has officially recognized the Botanical Garden’s contribution to biodiversity. Nestled in Cabo Corrientes, bordering Puerto Vallarta, the garden spans 31.97 hectares.
Semadet notes, “The garden is an oasis for plant preservation. Here, actions are undertaken to collect and host rescued or donated specimens. Legal origin and the survival of these specimens within the collection are maintained. Visitors can behold a varied collection of orchids, cacti, rhododendrons, and other plant families.”
The richness of the garden is evident in its figures. “It boasts 248 species of plants, 15 species of mammals—including the jaguar, ocelot, and jaguarundi—267 species of avifauna with the likes of the white eagle, coliman owl, silver-billed woodpecker, peregrine falcon, white-fronted parrot, and the military macaw. Additionally, there are 29 species of reptiles and 13 species of amphibians with expectations of even more yet to be cataloged.”
Furthermore, the Botanical Garden is home to a river teeming with endemic fish; some even undertake migration processes, emphasizing the garden’s significant biological value.
Semadet added, “Jalisco stands proud, ranking fourth in national biodiversity. It possesses 80 percent of the country’s vegetation types and roughly 30 percent of Mexico’s registered flora.”
The Ministry emphasized the importance of such protected areas, stating, “They prove pivotal in safeguarding biological diversity and ecosystem services. These areas dictate land usage, foster sustainable production methods benefiting local populations, and serve as hubs for environmental education and research.”
Since introducing the “Voluntarily Destined Area for Conservation” category into state legislation in 2020, only two areas have achieved this status: the Vallarta Botanical Garden and the “La Bolsa” property in Tuxcacuesco.
