PRESS RELEASE

Media Contact: Yuri Gonzalez
Phone: (956) 310-2139
Email: [email protected]

City of Pharr Awarded $1.18 Million Community Greening Transformation Grant from Texas A&M Forest Service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2025

Pharr, Texas – The City of Pharr is proud to announce that it has been awarded a historic $1,181,666 Community Greening Transformation Grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service. This award underscores Pharr’s commitment to investing in green spaces, expanding its tree canopy, and enhancing the quality of life for residents.

The grant will fund the planting and distribution of 6,000 native trees in areas most impacted by flooding, heat, and lack of shade over the next three years. These trees will be distributed during community workshops and planting events, where residents will also receive tree care training to help maintain and grow Pharr’s tree canopy for years to come.

“This grant was created to help communities expand their tree canopy growth in vulnerable areas most impacted by flooding, heat, and places with a lack of shade,” said Remy Vargas, Urban Ecologist for the City of Pharr. “This grant allows us to invest in Pharr’s environmental future and will help us improve the quality of life for our residents,” he added.

The Community Greening Transformation Grant is one of the largest categories within the 2025 Community Forestry Grants program, which awarded $4 million across 18 Texas municipalities to support projects that enhance urban forests, green spaces, and community engagement.

Pharr Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez emphasized the city’s longstanding commitment to environmental stewardship, noting recent beautification projects, park enhancements, and tree planting efforts.

“This is a historic investment in Pharr’s environmental future,” said Mayor Hernandez. “Pharr is a city that plans for the next generation, and these funds will allow us to expand our green spaces, create healthier neighborhoods, and strengthen our resilience against flooding and extreme heat. We are proud to lead the way in sustainability, and this grant will leave a lasting impact for decades to come.”

The grant application was the result of a collaborative effort between Pharr Grants Management and Community Development (GMCD), Pharr Parks & Recreation, and the Keep Pharr Beautiful Committee. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, the team identified neighborhoods most in need of tree canopy based on factors like flooding risk, extreme heat exposure, and limited shade.

“This project truly reflects the power of collaboration,” said Elizabeth Diaz, Director of Pharr Grants Management and Community Development. “By working closely with Parks & Recreation, the Keep Pharr Beautiful Committee, Texas A&M Forest Service, and leveraging GIS technology, we were able to strategically pinpoint areas where new trees will have the greatest impact for our community.” She added, “These funds will allow us to expand planting beyond schools and directly at our parks and neighborhoods across the city.”

Carlos Garcia Patlan, Community Ecologist with the Texas A&M Forest Service, added, “We are very happy to be working on these projects with the City of Pharr, and we look forward to continuing to collaborate as the city rolls out this new initiative.”

The City of Pharr thanks the Keep Pharr Beautiful Committee, Pharr Parks & Recreation, the Grants Management and Community Development Department, Texas A&M Forest Service, and the entire community for their dedication to keeping Pharr green, beautiful, and resilient for generations to come.

For more information about the Texas A&M Forest Service Community Forestry Grants, or to view the press release, click here.