Pharr receives grant from Texas A&M Forest Service
The Board of Commissioners of the City of Pharr met for a special called meeting on Monday and considered an agenda that included various highlights. In addition, the city’s regular meeting was hosted on Aug. 4.
Community Greening Transformation Grant
The Pharr City Commission approved a resolution accepting the Community Greening Transformation Grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service, awarding the City of Pharr Parks & Recreation $1,181,666.
“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.
Through the grant, Pharr will receive 6,000 native trees to plant and distribute throughout the community during workshops and planting events.
Residents will also be provided with tree care training to help maintain and expand the canopy on their properties.
'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,' added Carlos Garcia Patlan, Community Ecologist with Texas A&M Forest Service.
The Community Greening Transformation Grant is one of the largest categories within the 2025 Community Forestry Grants program, which awarded grants across six categories to address community needs by expanding and maintaining the tree canopy.
This initiative aims to create lasting environmental benefits, enhance green spaces, and promote community engagement in forest management.
'It is such an honor to accept this grant, especially knowing how impactful this will be to our community and future generations,' shared Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez, M.D.
Pharr Recognizes UTRGV's 10th Anniversary
The Pharr City Commission celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) with a special proclamation.
Since opening its doors in 2015, UTRGV has awarded more than 60,000 degrees and expanded its academic offerings with 42 new programs.
The university has also seen a 600% increase in research expenditures and continues to break records in enrollment, retention, and graduation rates.
UTRGV is recognized for its contributions to medical education with the opening of the region’s only School of Medicine in 2016 and the state’s first School of Podiatric Medicine in 2022.
It is also planning the opening of the region’s first academic cancer and surgery center in 2025 and the state’s second School of Optometry in 2027.
The university will make history once again this fall as it kicks off its inaugural Division I football season, the first of its kind in the Rio Grande Valley.
“We are deeply grateful to the City of Pharr for the strong and meaningful partnership we’ve built over the years,” said Gonzales. “From the Pharr Global Business Hub, which strengthens binational economic development, to hosting the WAC Swimming Championship Conferences at the Pharr Natatorium, and so many other initiatives, your continued support has been instrumental as we grow and move forward,' she continued.
UTRGV is ranked the #1 university in Texas by Washington Monthly and The Wall Street Journal. The City of Pharr gave its congratulations UTRGV on this milestone as it continues to drive academic excellence, healthcare innovation, and economic impact in the region.
Commission Recognizes Summer Interns
The Pharr City Commission recognized 24 students who completed the 2025 Pharr Initiative Summer Internship Program.
The four-week paid internship, held from July 7 to August 1, offered high school juniors, seniors, and early college students an in-depth opportunity to explore careers in municipal public service. Students were placed in departments that aligned with their interests, including administration, public works, human resources, media, and IT, where they gained valuable hands-on experience and professional skills.
More than just job shadowing, the program was immersive with interns participating in staff meetings, collaborating on real city projects, and delivering final presentations to Pharr’s leadership team to showcase what they learned through their experience.
"At the City of Pharr, we believe in the power of community and in giving our young leaders opportunities to learn, grow, and gain real-world experience,' said Dr. Jonathan B. Flores, City Manager. 'We hope this experience inspires them as they explore and pursue their future careers."
“The City of Pharr remains dedicated to empowering youth and shaping the next generation of leaders by providing meaningful, real-world experiences through programs like the Pharr Initiative, which is designed to inspire, educate, and prepare our future workforce,” the city said in a release.
“Best Place for Working Parents” Designation
The Commission celebrated the City of Pharr’s newest achievement: earning the Best Place for Working Parents designation.
This national recognition highlights the City’s commitment to supporting its employees through family-friendly policies that also strengthen workplace productivity and satisfaction.
The designation is awarded to organizations that positively impact employee attraction, retention, and performance.
Story Courtesy City of Pharr