Dive into the Approaches to Landscape from the Aesthetic Experience, guided by Iván Juárez, exploring how the body and the landscape interrelate through various senses, such as smell, sight, and touch, to foster a deeper and more conscious connection with the natural environment, inviting a reconsideration of the boundaries between nature and the human being.
Read More
Explore with Mariana Herrera how monuments can be much more than commemorative structures. Through a thoughtful and well-documented perspective, she invites us to reflect on those sculptures and tributes erected in honor of individuals who have left their mark, in her article “Monuments with Roots: Heritage, Culture, and Environmental Awareness”.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. In fact, they are the only ones who ever have.”
-Margaret Mead
Throughout history, people have built monuments to commemorate various achievements such as conquests, wars, or influential figures. However, there are also lesser-known monuments created by activists and visionaries dedicated to protecting nature. These works not only honor those who led these efforts, but also embody essential values such as the defense of forests, wildlife, ecological balance, and the protection of water.
In Mexico Park in the Condesa neighborhood, among children’s games and strollers, stands a sculpture that seems to whisper ancestral stories: the Fountain of the Cantaros. Created in 1927 by sculptor José María Hernández Urbina, this work is not only an urban ornament, but a bridge between pre-Hispanic and modern Mexico, where the water sacred to the original cultures flows as a metaphor of cultural resistance.
Beyond its beauty, the work is an ecological manifesto:
Today, the fountain remains a meeting point where tourists, citizens and even environmental protesters coalesce. In 2020, during a protest over water shortages in the city, activists placed flowers and seeds around its base, redefining it as a contemporary altar.
In the heart of the Vivero de Coyoacán, one of the most emblematic green lungs of Mexico City, stands a sculpture in honor of Miguel Ángel de Quevedo (1859-1946), a pioneer of environmental conservation in the country. Known as the “Apostle of the Tree,” it depicts his face with a firm and serene gaze, recalling his tireless work.
His legacy was so profound that even the Day of the Tree was established in Mexico (July 10) thanks to his influence. The sculpture not only honors his memory, but also invites reflection on the importance of following his example in a country facing critical environmental challenges.
The sculpture of La Fermière (English: “The Farmer”) is a fountain made by the sculptor Alfred Laliberté between 1914 and 1915. It is located in the Gennevilliers-Laliberté square, in front of the Maisonneuve Market in Montreal, Quebec. It depicts a woman farmer, symbolizing the importance of agriculture and the role of women in rural Canadian society. Around her, there are figures of children and animals representing life in the countryside.
In the Plaza del Donante de Órganos in Zaragoza stands this striking monument by the artist Rafael Barnola. Two giant hands hold, without touching, a sphere that represents the Earth, symbolizing human responsibility in its care. The work pays homage to all the people who, from anonymity, work to protect the planet. A visual reminder that the future of the Earth is in our hands.
Rachel Carson is world renowned for her book “Silent Spring” (1962). Her research was key to the emergence of the modern environmental movement and led to the banning of toxic substances and the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The memorial not only pays tribute to his scientific legacy, but also to his tireless fight for truth and conservation, despite criticism from the chemical industry in his time. Located near the Rachel Carson Homestead (her birthplace, now a museum), the sculpture invites visitors to reflect on the importance of protecting our planet and to follow her example of courage, curiosity and love for wildlife. A tribute to the woman who taught us that nature is not a luxury, but a necessity.
These monuments to defenders of nature are much more than art: they are permanent reminders of our responsibility to the planet. Each statue or bust tells a story of struggle and love for the environment, inspiring us to follow their example.
Monuments to defenders of nature are permanent reminders of our responsibility to the planet.
They are not just tributes to the past, but calls to present action. They remind us that protecting the Earth is everyone’s job, regardless of borders or generations. By preserving these figures, we keep their cause alive in a world with urgent ecological challenges.
Read More
Pedro Montes Cruz and Alejandra Roldán Villegas present Design Criteria for a Landscape Project in the Mountains, an article that helps us understand the most important aspects to consider when designing an architecture and landscaping project on mountainous terrain.
Read More
Learn with Marianela Rochas-Porraz about The healing powers of “forest bathing”, highlighting its potential in the conservation of forest ecosystems and sustainable tourism, especially in the mountainous regions of Mexico.
In a world where stress and anxiety are the most common challenges, finding relief in natural environments can be more than just a luxury: it is a public health necessity. “Forest bathing,” also known as Shinrin-yoku, has gained popularity worldwide for its physical and mental health benefits.
The concept of Shinrin-yoku was developed in Japan in the 1980s as a response to the increasing stress levels in the urban population. Various studies have shown that exposure to forest environments reduces cortisol levels, the stress hormone, and improves immune function. According to Li (2010), forest bathing stimulates the activity of NK (natural killer) cells, which are responsible for fighting infections and certain types of cancer.
In a study published in Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine, Li (2010) found that people who participated in forest bathing sessions showed an increase in their immune cell levels during the month following the activity. This finding suggests that a monthly visit to a forest or natural space could have prolonged positive effects on the immune system.
The connection with nature not only impacts physical health but also emotional wellbeing. A report from the National Forestry Commission (CONAFOR, 2019) highlights that forest bathing can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. The practice of walking slowly among the trees, focusing on the senses and breathing, promotes a state of deep relaxation and mindfulness, similar to the effects of meditation.
The practice of walking slowly among the trees, focusing on the senses and breathing, promotes a state of deep relaxation and mindfulness, similar to the effects of meditation.
From a tourism perspective, Farkić, Isailović, and Taylor (2021) argue that forest bathing can be integrated into the wellness tourism offering. In many countries, this practice has been incorporated into ecotourism and public health programs, allowing both tourists and locals to enjoy its benefits without the need for large infrastructures.
Mexico has a great diversity of forest ecosystems that could be harnessed to develop projects focused on wellbeing and mental health. From the temperate forests of the Sierra Madre to the humid jungles of the southeast, the country offers spaces ideal for these types of experiences. Additionally, the various religious practices of the indigenous communities in the country could be integrated sensitively and respectfully into the cultural landscape, transforming natural spaces into valuable intangible heritage of the nation.
A reflection and regional planning based on the psychological environmental services of natural spaces in Mexico could benefit both public health and the conservation of forest ecosystems. By promoting regenerative tourism and personal wellbeing, this practice could become a key tool for sustainable development and improving the quality of life in many communities, particularly urban and peri-urban ones.
In the article The Borrowed Landscape in Japan, landscape architect Megumi Andrade shares how mountains merge and integrate with the surrounding landscape thanks to the mastery of garden design in the country.
Read More
Discover with Miguel A. Medina one of the brightest kings of ancient Mexico, managed to save his people from famine through the implementation of irrigation canals in The Timeless Lesson of Landscape Architecture by Nezahualcóyotl.
Read More
