Seven McAllen ISD elementary campuses will soon become home to new schoolyard forests designed to create cooler, greener outdoor spaces for students and surrounding communities.
The project, led by Quinta Mazatlán through a $2.7 million Texas A&M Forest Service grant, will bring native trees and vegetation to campuses across the district. The schoolyard forests are intended to support outdoor learning opportunities, increase tree canopy cover and provide access to green space in urban areas affected by extreme heat.
Campuses participating in the project include Houston Elementary, Roosevelt Elementary, Alvarez Elementary, Jackson Elementary, Wilson Elementary, Fields Elementary and Seguin Elementary. Groundbreakings were held earlier this month.
“A schoolyard forest is an outdoor space transformed with trees, native vegetation and natural features that allow students and communities to interact with the environment around them,” said Carlos García Patlán, Texas A&M Forest Service regional community ecologist. “These spaces create opportunities for outdoor learning, play and community connection while also providing important environmental benefits.”
In South Texas, where prolonged heat can limit outdoor activity, the forests are expected to help reduce temperatures around campuses while also improving air quality, managing stormwater and creating habitat for birds, butterflies and other native wildlife.
Access to shaded green space has also been linked to benefits including reduced stress, improved mental well-being and increased opportunities for outdoor activity. The schoolyard forests are intended to create more comfortable outdoor environments for students, teachers and surrounding communities.
“Most school campuses consist largely of asphalt and open grass areas with limited shade,” García Patlán said. “Increasing tree canopy and access to natural spaces can help make campuses more comfortable and accessible for students, teachers and surrounding communities.”
Texas A&M Forest Service is providing technical guidance and support throughout the project, including recommendations on tree selection, planting considerations and long-term urban forest planning.
“The goal is to create cooler, healthier and more natural school campuses,” García Patlán said. “These forests will also help create the next generation of stewards by connecting students to the landscapes and ecosystems around them.”
The project is part of a broader effort to expand urban forestry and green infrastructure projects across the Rio Grande Valley. Additional schoolyard forest grants have also been awarded to organizations and communities in Pharr, Laredo, Mercedes and Donna.
Construction and planting efforts are expected to continue through 2027.
