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McAllen wins $2.7 million grant to create seven schoolyard forests; city and MISD to expand greening
Summary
City staff and partners described a Texas A&M Forest Service $2.7 million grant to install seven schoolyard forests in McAllen, aiming to raise tree canopy on selected campuses from about 11% to 30% with construction targeted for completion in 2027 and a $50,000 planning grant to design additional schools.
A city presenter (Colleen) told the McAllen City Commission on May 27 that the city and McAllen Independent School District have secured a $2,700,000 grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service to install seven schoolyard forests on elementary campuses and related outdoor-learning amenities.
"The goal is to improve environment, education, and mental health for the students," the presenter said, noting the grant covers seven campuses selected by the grantor using a Climate and Economic Justice Screening tool and that the grant aims to raise each campus' tree canopy from about 11% to roughly 30%.
Andrew Hefner of the Heffner Design Team, the landscape architect on the project, described the standard package of elements to be installed at each campus: a tiny forest (pocket forest), trails, interpretive…
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