A new initiative aimed at enhancing environmental stewardship among local schools is set to launch, as the Keep Laredo Beautiful Board discussed a collaborative project with the Laredo Independent School District (LISD) during their recent meeting. The project, which focuses on beautification efforts, encourages all 29 schools within the district to participate in various environmentally friendly activities, such as litter cleanups and gardening projects.

Ruby, a board member, shared that LISD's Terlas Fraga approached them with the idea, emphasizing the competitive spirit among schools to engage in beautification projects. Each school will have the freedom to choose their project, whether it involves creating garden beds or installing window boxes. The board's role will primarily be to judge these projects, with the judging period set to occur between March and April, culminating in awards for the top three schools.

The board members expressed enthusiasm about the initiative, recognizing it as an opportunity to foster a culture of environmental awareness among students. They discussed logistics, including how to fairly evaluate the diverse projects and the possibility of splitting into groups to cover all participating schools effectively.

In addition to judging, the board plans to offer support through their existing tool rental program, which allows civic groups to borrow equipment for cleanup and gardening efforts. This partnership not only aims to beautify school campuses but also serves as a marketing opportunity for Keep Laredo Beautiful, showcasing their commitment to community engagement and environmental education.

As the project rolls out, board members are eager to see how many schools will participate and what innovative ideas they will bring to the table. The initiative is expected to not only beautify the campuses but also instill a sense of pride and responsibility in students regarding their environment.