Saltillo: Second Walnut Fest celebrated; residents reaffirm their fight for habitat and environmental awareness

With rituals, temporary tattoos, and awards, the second anniversary of the saved tree in the Jardín neighborhood was commemorated.

Residents of the Jardín and Los Ángeles neighborhoods, located north of Saltillo , as well as attendees from other areas such as Brisas Poniente, celebrated the second edition of Nogal Fest this Thursday, an environmentally conscious neighborhood festival that commemorated another anniversary of the rescue of the emblematic walnut tree located on Sauce Street.

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Approximately 80 people, including children, youth, and seniors, participated in this festive event, which included dancing, rituals of gratitude, a collective cleansing, free food, and activities such as temporary tattoos.

The atmosphere was friendly and participatory, with a clear message: defending the tree also meant defending the common habitat against the advance of real estate developments.

During the event, awards were presented to residents and figures who, from their respective fields, have contributed to the environmental cause. One of the honorees was the secretary of the Saltillo City Council, Francisco Saracho Navarro, who was unable to attend but was recognized for his openness . “ We have to open our doors. We are not against development. We want to be heard, for residents to participate in decision-making,” said Armando López Romero, one of the organizers.

López Romero emphasized that the walnut tree—more than 80 years old—taught them how to identify the threats facing their neighborhoods and gave rise to a neighborhood mobilization without partisan or religious overtones. “The first thing we said was: no parties, no religions. What we want to defend here is our habitat, our home. The press is very important, because you are the ones who have to speak and present it to the other neighbors.”

In addition to commemorating the actions that led to the halting of the tree's felling, the Nogal Fest reaffirmed the role of the neighborhood movement as a broader support network. "The struggle for the walnut tree forces us to participate in the fight for our water, for our resources," added López Romero, who mentioned that other neighborhoods are also facing critical environmental and urban planning issues.

The event concluded with a family gathering, where hot dogs, chips, cake, and words of gratitude were shared among attendees. The Walnut Fest, the organizers said, is not just a symbolic celebration: it's also a reminder that citizen participation can generate concrete changes in protecting the environment .