Located in the Hacienda la Esperanza Nature Reserve in Manatí, the arboretum has more than 1,000 trees, shrubs and plants native and endemic to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

Manatí, PR- Sheltered under the shade of the branches of a violet tree, between moments of shared laughter and tears of emotion, family, colleagues and friends of botanist Miguel A. “Papo” Vives Heyliger, celebrated the inauguration of the arboretum that bears his name at the Hacienda La Esperanza Nature Reserve (HLE), in Manatí.

The Miguel A. “Papo” Vives Heyliger Arboretum was dedicated in honor of this educator and self-taught expert on the flora of the islands of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. A native of the town of Quebradillas, Vives Heyliger has contributed extensively to advancing knowledge and raising awareness about the conservation of the native flora of the Puerto Rican archipelago and the Caribbean. Celebrating his deep knowledge and commitment to the protection of nature, he has been called the “Priest of the Forest”. His numerous findings and contributions to the flora of Puerto Rico have led him to receive the prestigious Doctorate Honoris Causa degree awarded in 2012 by the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez Campus.

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