Board finalizes Earth Day program with tree planting, booths and an 11 a.m. unveiling

At its April 1 meeting, the District 1 neighborhood board in Laredo finalized plans for an Earth Day program that will include an early-morning tree planting, educational booths from 10 a.m. to noon, an eco-quest passport with five prize winners and a planned 11:00 a.m. unveiling of a surprise installation.

Staff described the layout for the tree-planting site (the left side of Father Magnavable park entry) and said the event will begin with tree planting at 8:00 a.m., with booth activity and educational programming running afterward. The board expects roughly nine booths focused on environmental topics; one booth will host the eco-quest passport and the five winners will be announced at noon. The meeting also addressed volunteer needs for activities such as face painting and managing the passport challenge.

Coca‑Cola will support litter pickup along the river on Earth Day as part of its sustainability-week activities. Organizers said approximately 53 volunteers had signed up for the planting at the time of the meeting and that more volunteers would be welcomed. The board discussed sponsorships (Rotary named as a partner) and the potential to solicit in-kind donations such as trees from retailers to offset costs.

Board members also discussed event logistics including where booths will be placed, the timing of the unveiling at 11 a.m., prize distribution, and a short press release to follow the ceremony. A city Earth Day proclamation was discussed for a separate ceremony at city hall on April 24, with a board member (Alex) asked to serve as a speaker if needed.

Next steps: staff to finalize booth assignments and sponsor confirmations, continue volunteer recruitment and share a press-release draft and talking points for the proclamation ceremony.