Merck plants again: when commitment takes root in the Metropolitan Park
Friday, November 21st, 2025
A commitment that bears fruit
Forty hands, 150 native trees, and a promise fulfilled: for the second consecutive year, Merck chose to return to Quito's Metropolitan Park to reforest alongside our foundation. And that, in times when everything seems ephemeral, is an act of hope.
Some days begin long before the volunteers arrive. This Friday, the foundation team arrived at the Metropolitan Park while the city was still waking up.
The cold Quito morning air was palpable, but so was the excitement of preparing every detail: tools ready, plants organized, spaces marked.
We knew that in a few hours, about 40 people would arrive with willing hands and open hearts. And they weren't just anyone: they were Merck volunteers, returning for the second time to plant with us.
That word — return — changes everything. Because a reforestation day can be an isolated event, a photo for social media, a check on the social responsibility list.
But when a company comes back, when it chooses to build an annual reforestation program, when its employees greet us warmly and say, “Here we are again!”, then we're talking about something deeper: we're talking about a real commitment to nature and to future generations.
The power of returning: familiar faces, new roots
When the volunteers began to arrive, the atmosphere changed. There were hugs, laughter at the reunion, comments like “I missed this!” and “do you remember where we planted last year?”
Guido, the leader of our foundation, welcomed everyone with clear and motivating words. Then came the practical instructions, the division into groups, and the start of the work.
The weather cooperated: the cold morning gave way to a pleasant temperature, perfect for the day. And in the midst of it all, the unexpected star of the day appeared: the planting supervisor, a dog adopted by Ale, a foundation collaborator, who walked around each group with her tail up and her attentive gaze, stealing smiles and becoming the most beloved companion of the day.
Planting with joy: 150 trees and shrubs that tell a story
Laughter came and laughter went. That is the best way to describe the atmosphere of this day. Merck volunteers worked enthusiastically, supporting each other, asking questions, learning, and celebrating each plant that took root in its new home.
In a few hours, 150 native trees and shrubs were planted in the Metropolitan Park. They will serve as a refuge for birds, food for pollinators, shade for those walking through the park, and oxygen for the city.
Above all, they are the tangible result of what happens when a company decides that sustainability is not a slogan, but a practice that is repeated, deepened, and lived.
At the end of the day, when the last plants were in place, everyone enjoyed a delicious snack. Everyone was satisfied with the work they had done.
Thank you for choosing to return: a model to inspire
None of this would be possible without real partnerships. That is why we want to express our deep gratitude to Merck for once again placing its trust in our foundation and for building a sustained commitment to reforestation in Ecuador.
Thank you for demonstrating that companies can be agents of environmental change when they choose to return, year after year, to sow life.
Thanks also to the catering team that lovingly prepared the refreshments that closed the day, to the entire foundation team that worked before dawn to make sure everything went perfectly, and especially to Guido, whose words and energy motivated each volunteer to give their best.
This day at the Metropolitan Park is a reminder that conservation and reforestation are not the tasks of a few, but a shared responsibility.
Merck understood this. And its example can inspire many other organizations to do the same.
“Who plants a tree, plants hope.” Lucy Larcom
TOGETHER WE ARE PART OF THE SOLUTION
"Every tree you plant makes a difference", Jane Goodall.
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