Pharr partners with U.S. Fish and Wildlife and volunteers for largest U.S. reforestation event; city schedules highway cleanup

Pharr officials and conservation partners announced plans for the Rio Reforestation planting event on Oct. 18 and a companion volunteer campaign, and gave updates on local cleanup and beautification projects during the Keep Pharr Beautiful Board meeting on Sept. 16.

The Rio Reforestation event is set for Oct. 18, from 8 a.m. to noon, with a pre-event information session at the city library on Oct. 16 from 6 to 7 p.m., city and refuge staff said. Laura de la Garza, who represented the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the meeting, said the planting day “is actually the biggest planting event in the United States,” and that last year’s event drew “about 1,600” volunteers and is expected to grow this year.

The board said the event includes multiple partners — American Forests, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, City of Pharr staff and local organizations — and will be promoted broadly through city channels, social media and utility mailings. De la Garza said the partnership demonstrates municipal…