From City of McAllen
Quinta Mazatlán initiative is to invest in educational curriculum around growing Tiny Forests
WHO: City of McAllen Mayor Javier Villalobos & McAllen City Commission Quinta Mazatlán and Friends of Quinta Mazatlán, McAllen ISD: Dr. Rene Gutierrez, Superintendent and Board of Trustees, Houston Elementary School: Principal—Jessica Lowe; and Students
WHAT: Second Tiny Forest tree and native planting
WHEN: Thursday, March 7, 2024 9 – 10:30 am
WHERE: Houston Elementary School, 3221 Olga Ave.
WHY: With over $30,000 raised at the 2023 Moon Over Mazatlán gala event, Quinta Mazatlán is investing in educational curriculum around growing Tiny Forests and the many benefits of trees and plants: from oxygen to food, from medicine to habitat and preserving the natural heritage, the sense of place for the community.
More than 2,000 native plants will go into the Tiny Forest at Houston Elementary School, representing 30 species native to the Rio Grande Valley, the second of its kind planted by Quinta Mazatlán in partnership with McAllen ISD.
“Not too many schools or colleges can boast of having their own 'Research Forest' on campus, so Houston Elementary School will be leading the way thanks to the support of McAllen ISD and all the teachers and students who will be involved in planting, caring for and studying the tiny forest,” Colleen Hook, manager at Quinta Mazatlán, said. “The Student Scientists on campus will then help care for and document the growth of the forest, so others can follow in their footsteps.”
“The City of McAllen is doubling its footprint at Quinta Mazatlán by creating a Center for Urban Ecology (CUE) and has partnered with companies, conservation organizations and educational partners to support three key initiatives: Education, Eco-tourism and the Environment. Humans literally cannot live without trees, as trees provide oxygen for breathing. Everyone needs forests; yet they are disappearing in great numbers, which is scary. The planting of Tiny Forests is a great and affordable solution to improving the health and beauty in urban cities,” Hook said.