Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
MISD to receive $2.7 million Texas A&M schoolyard forest grant for seven elementary campuses
Summary
Quinta Mazatlan and the Texas A&M Forest Service presented a $2.7 million grant to create outdoor learning campuses at seven McAllen ISD elementary schools; design work is underway and construction is expected in 2026–27.
McAllen Independent School District trustees heard a report Tuesday that Quinta Mazatlan and the Texas A&M Forest Service have awarded a $2,700,000 grant to create nature-based learning spaces at seven MISD elementary campuses.
The presentation, made by Miss Cooley Cook, executive director of Quinta Mazatlan, and Andrew Hefner, president of Hefner Design Team, described plans for tiny forests, trails, outdoor classrooms, natural playscapes and interpretive signage at seven schools. Cook told trustees the grant aims to raise average tree canopy on selected campuses from about 11% toward a target of roughly 30%.
The district received the award on condition of a memorandum of understanding among Quinta Mazatlan, the City of McAllen and MISD to accept and maintain the improvements. "Before we submitted the grant…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
