[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6117117,"mediaKeyId","2730865-26a7af169c3269788b555f125aef2ec8","parentId",2730865,"title","Board discusses TAMIU community garden collaboration and requests follow‑up","audioSeconds",746,"startMs",3679000,"endMs",4425000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730865-26a7af169c3269788b555f125aef2ec8&start=3679&end=4425","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730865-26a7af169c3269788b555f125aef2ec8/thumbnail_3679000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6117117/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Board-discusses-TAMIU-community-garden-collaboration-and-requests-followup","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117117-f268a5eabd6f8c5d289b0f8fa1dd3c02/orig.mp4?Expires=1770866561&Signature=kaC3ADEya7fkKK0OCZYu4vMrCwmqV1kWkg4Oa8k3DnrqvbkrxZBnzhPx667GjCWrnJy4sIb51o1udVdGdieAXi2mLnADn6sel-4XtW1Dkj~5JiJYapf64zr-SaXS~wtOGtVal-XJO07e~hYJKPIuXFFNTwC6hhUFasSxvQ2m3R2L5ITswXdqhnKvZeO4llYxg2pu7RqANH8JH7UQoHT264rVcQ8EY-vwd5hfg5StCaCu01IfsmWwUUQub4K8HNtKVwN6KCeA32QX9NPemQtfwM77zmCoGVp7wOhOSuS4ee5S5m4G6C0rlrUJ4lDwrBe-UNimZMM5zPbJFThBf3jaEQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Laredo, Texas","date","2025-03-22T00:33:19.257Z","article","Board members discussed a potential collaboration with Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) to revive a neglected campus community garden and support related educational programming.

What was discussed
JJ (board member) reported meeting with TAMIU staff who said the existing community garden is underused and in need of rework. JJ described opportunities for the affiliate to help with education, permaculture guidance, and site improvements: planting beds, a rain garden, and better plant selection and maintenance.

JJ said the TAMIU site has irrigation and tools but lacks organized oversight and curriculum; he proposed connecting Master Gardeners to provide practical classes and KLB to contribute tools and volunteer coordination. Board members noted the site’s potential for student engagement, demonstration projects and longer‑term stewardship.

Board direction and next steps
Monica asked that JJ put the TAMIU proposal on the next meeting agenda and bring back more specific information. The group agreed to explore a joint meeting with Master Gardeners and campus grounds staff to define a role for the affiliate and to identify specific resource needs.

Quotations
\"They want to utilize KOB, potentially,\" JJ said of the university's request, describing interest in permaculture and community education.

Ending
The board asked staff and JJ to coordinate a follow‑up with TAMIU and Master Gardeners and to provide a concise proposal and suggested next steps at the next scheduled meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Keep Laredo Beautiful Board Meeting, 03/19/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Board members discussed a proposal to help revive a run‑down community garden at Texas A&M International University (TAMIU), including possibilities for Master Gardeners curriculum support and KLB tool and volunteer assistance; the board asked JJ to return with more details at the next meeting.","taxTitle","Laredo, Webb County, Texas","taxId",2820,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117122,"Keep Laredo Beautiful outlines Earth Day, cleanup and community event plans",365,3293000,3658000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730865-26a7af169c3269788b555f125aef2ec8&start=3293&end=3658","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730865-26a7af169c3269788b555f125aef2ec8/thumbnail_3293000.jpg","/articles/6117122/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Keep-Laredo-Beautiful-outlines-Earth-Day-cleanup-and-community-event-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117122-dd249b585a83d6cb4fbe37e02c5ddd7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770866561&Signature=By~Xi3sNqP0jf0KJpAvLEaVuuYEPE4jhQvjscnP3MU4zi6WkPUUJL0rI~DwSAGXWIVg95Pa1olj-goESc1MII6C2UZQ1Ffosaxvhvmkq7L~R5NHVBFbj3FZ3AqLDQwi8londV3YKuOkP6H~OqAs3V-r1NLiwIkSl1ap0TQncFPT13-bAkMpb62DDLzZJ1cUYdw5ulLA1f20kcvLLLXpIUPgzXVPEPT2KKqDLLHAVNqiKAi5JztpMoKxOtwOtTknxufRMv2wwBYheDE~5W9~~hbBQJtPNEze90Aejkyj6FmbA88wrfnxd8Pl3ej0RCFmqQc85H0pY-5uzuMtziEcTvQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Keep Laredo Beautiful staff provided a multi-item events update at the March 19 meeting, reporting sponsorships and volunteer sign-ups for an Earth Day big event, and previewing a series of volunteer opportunities and program partnerships running through the summer.

What staff reported
Ashley (staff) said the affiliate had 64 volunteers signed for the Earth Day big event and would cap volunteers at 120. She listed corporate and partner support committed for the April event, including Uber Freight (sponsorship), Apache Tree Corporation (tree donations), AEP, Coca‑Cola (snacks/treats), Concentrix (food donation) and the Rotary Club (volunteer support). Rotary will count the day as one of its volunteer events and will bring its volunteers.

Planned activities for the Earth Day event include tree planting, litter pickup, trail/brush clearing, a Monarch garden bed revitalization and wood staining; staff said teams of students and community volunteers will be assigned to stations and that partners will supply tools and materials.

Other scheduled and discussed events
- Adopt‑a‑Highway: Staff announced an adopt‑a‑highway cleanup in early April (April 5 was discussed as the likely date). Board members will circulate a calendar invite and staff said slots remain open for volunteers.
- Gulf Coast cleanup: The affiliate plans to participate in a statewide Gulf Coast waterway cleanup on May 10; staff is coordinating partners and a specific local location will be confirmed later.
- Best yard contest and Reader’s Choice awards: Staff encouraged board members to nominate and promote the affiliate for community awards and to share nomination/voting links.
- H‑E‑B film series: Staff described an H‑E‑B program offering five educational films between July and August; the affiliate could receive a $500 gift card for hosting sessions if at least 15–20 viewers attend. Staff discussed low-cost options (rec center or library screenings) and higher-effort options (park outdoor screenings or movie‑theater rentals).

Logistics and next steps
Staff asked board members to help recruit volunteers, share social media, and confirm availability for specific shifts at the Earth Day event and other activities. For the Earth Day event the affiliate will coordinate station assignments and confirm tools and shipping logistics; staff said they would share maps and volunteer station assignments by email.

Quotations
\"We're currently at 64 volunteers. We're gonna cap it at 120,\" Ashley said when reporting volunteer numbers and sponsor commitments.

Ending
Staff closed by asking board members to invite neighborhood groups, confirm district volunteer slots and help publicize Earth Day and supporting events.","Board staff reported sponsorships, volunteer levels and event logistics for an April Earth Day big event, a May Gulf Coast cleanup, an April adopt-a-highway pickup and a summer H‑E‑B film‑series opportunity; staff asked board members to recruit volunteers and confirm availability for scheduled dates.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6117126,"Keep Laredo Beautiful board backs LISD Earth Day school beautification project",1095,402000,1497000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2730865-26a7af169c3269788b555f125aef2ec8&start=402&end=1497","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2730865-26a7af169c3269788b555f125aef2ec8/thumbnail_402000.jpg","/articles/6117126/Laredo/Webb-County/Texas/Keep-Laredo-Beautiful-board-backs-LISD-Earth-Day-school-beautification-project","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6117126-3bc94dbbb17e6152ad3c037c6e770f22/orig.mp4?Expires=1770866561&Signature=LSztruSBxu7UmgAfqYYfbk-4O9904V-AFRjj7XG0c2rQ1j1gDEIchWW2oCEf~cyXze0g7oxP8TGOhVJrKHayOE5vlUkOaSHt2UpToudMXRsyKDvRjMSSTOOWAG5zaSPJzA7Cr2S6YatM0nYYIPawBnlcss4sz3tk-aUcPsA71a8492k3T62fcwmCKRbvAF6sbYiMgyX-alBiIUtMN5sVPIAczIXaSsVQiLqZ1a-F5SgeHZfq2CTwEP8llKZDMFZmKWiFEy5BuaNgSa9i7y~TxoILCro6ffHst-O~h0ZVdW0rn0q6AQouk0lBLJbeH7oCxCa1rvYYbZ4sTM68-qEYkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Keep Laredo Beautiful agreed March 19 to support a Laredo Independent School District (LISD) Earth Day school beautification project by serving as volunteer judges and making its tool-loan resources available.

Ruby (board member) described the program to the board, saying the project would invite all schools in LISD to undertake small campus beautification efforts and that organizers expect up to 29 schools to participate. She said the district contact had provided judging rubrics and a Google Docs judging sheet.

Why it matters: The program is designed to engage students in outdoor cleanup and planting and to award three schools for “immaculate grounds,” “environmental stewardship,” and a “litter-free legacy.” Board members said the project fits the affiliate’s mission and provides a visible community partnership with the district.

Details and board commitments
Ruby said the schools would have “from now until April” to complete projects; the board discussed a judging window of April 7–April 16 and noted judges would evaluate only each campus’s exterior and perimeter. The project’s organizer provided scoring sheets and a public-service video that will include KLB’s (Keep Laredo Beautiful) logo.

Board members offered to split the schools by grade band or geography so judging could be done in clusters and to photograph sites and average judges’ scores to reduce evaluator variance. Board staff noted that the affiliate’s existing tool-loan program can provide gloves, litter bags and hand tools to any schools that request them; two elementary schools had already asked to borrow supplies.

A board member made a motion “to support this endeavor for LISD,” the motion received a second and the board approved the support. The meeting record does not include a roll-call vote or a numerical tally; minutes record the motion was moved, seconded and carried.

Next steps
Board staff will forward the organizer’s materials, including the scoring rubric and Google Docs judging sheet, and board members will indicate who will serve as judges and which schools they will cover. Board members agreed to refine scheduling around April 7–16 so volunteers can commit to two weekends or two weekday blocks for judging.

Quotations
“She calls it surveyors, but I would call it, like, judging the campus,” Ruby said of the organizer’s use of terms.

“This is an Earth Day project … there are three schools that are going to win,” a board member added during discussion.

Ending
Board members said they view the role as time-limited support for the district initiative and asked staff to return any remaining scheduling details to the group by email so judges can be assigned in advance.","At its March 19 meeting the Keep Laredo Beautiful board agreed to support a Laredo Independent School District Earth Day campus-beautification initiative by serving as judges and offering access to tool loans; the board moved, seconded and approved the support with no roll-call tally recorded.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board discusses TAMIU community garden collaboration and requests follow‑up

Keep Laredo Beautiful outlines Earth Day, cleanup and community event plans

Keep Laredo Beautiful board backs LISD Earth Day school beautification project