Working on Wellness Environments
Working on Wellness Environments (WOW-E) is a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension multidisciplinary community development program

Apply for the 2023 NRPA Scholarships and Fellowships

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Each year, NRPA awards up-and-coming young professionals and students for their dedication to the park and recreation profession. The scholarships and fellowships provide recipients with the opportunity to attend and explore the operation of the park and recreation field at the NRPA Annual Conference.

Young Professional Fellowships

The fellowship provides selected young professionals with the opportunity to explore the operation of NRPA and its governing bodies at the NRPA Annual Conference. Participants will meet with mentors, be recognized at the awards ceremony and attend various conference sessions and meetings. Learn more and apply.

Student Scholarships

The Student Scholarship recognizes an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student for community service or contributions to the park and recreation field. The scholarship provides selected students with the opportunity to explore the operation of the field at the NRPA Annual Conference. Participants will meet with mentors, be recognized at the awards ceremony and attend various conference sessions and meetings. Learn more and apply.

Diversity Scholarships

The NRPA Diversity Scholarship supports individuals from historically underrepresented groups in the park and recreation community, as well as those who demonstrate outstanding contributions to the diverse communities they serve. Participants will meet with mentors, be recognized at the awards ceremony and attend various conference sessions and meetings. Learn more and apply.

The deadline to apply for NRPA Awards is March 24, 2023.

Parks

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by Emily Gunderson & Ricky Gutierrez

Kelso Park

Ricky Gutierrez is the Assistant Parks & Recreation Director for the City of Eagle Pass. Within the City of Eagle Pass there are 25 park-like facilities. These include one Maverick County park (73.5 acres); three community / regional parks (60.5 acres); eight neighborhood parks (26.3 acres); six special use facilities (149.6 acres); one linear park (8.3 acres); and six Colonias Parks (24.1 acres). This interview was conducted by Emily Gunderson, a Program Manager on the Working on Wellness Environments team. The following quotes from Mr. Gutierrez reflect his perspective on how park support healthy communities. The photos were provided by the City of Eagle Pass. The transcript has been edited for clarity and succinctness.

Family enjoying the accessible swing at Guedea Park

I’m trying to to meet our community needs when it comes to recreation and quality of life programs that involve families, and youth which is a big focus of ours.

Parks tree planting event

We want to start meeting the needs of our community such as enhancing tree canopy in our parks, updating landscaping, play features, playscapes, and putting more focus on beautiful areas to get more people out there.

Playground shade structure in Guedea Park

We strive to create spaces that lend itself to active lifestyles. In Eagle Pass, we always joke that it’s hot like 8 months out of the year. So, we’ve put a focus on making sure all playscapes have shade structures and trying to have a shade program out there. Making sure that we have proper tree canopies, trying to work on more pavilions, and just to provide places that want to support health. We want people out in parks, walking and using them, and using the green space. But we know all people aren’t going to do it in the heat if there isn’t the proper infrastructure in place.

Teen enjoying the Skate Park in Eagle Pass

Our parks system, the role we play is twofold. The recreation is providing opportunities for community members. The parks are providing spaces that lend themselves to have active lifestyles, either having kids go out and play on the playground, or having somebody going to a basketball court or volleyball court and shoot around or just utilizing a walking trail to walk.

Eagle Pass Parks Staff
Active adults participating in an Eagle Pass park event
Community members enjoying the pool at the Eagle Pass Aquatic Center
Eagle Pass Sports complex main gate
Adults playing baseball at the Eagle Pass Sports Complex
Park maintenance staff raking sand
Parks staff enjoying the swing set
Community member participating in a cup stacking activity at an Eagle Pass park event

Farm to School

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by Victorino Cantu, M. Garcia & A. Garza

Students pointing to the citrus they grew

The Farm to School Program Mission

The goal of the farm to school program is to bring local foods to the school cafeteria and agricultural education to K-12 students, encouraging children to make healthy food choices and inspiring sustainable connections to local food, while helping to boost the local economy.

Students planting a tree in their orchard

The Plan to Implement Farm to School Efforts in Starr County

Our planned intervention included the planting of a fruit orchard that is a continuation and enhancement of the existing school garden. This intervention was introduced while searching for options to replace missing local farms.

Students standing in the orchard holes for the trees to be planted in

Who Makes These Efforts Possible?

 The Farm to School efforts would not be possible without R.T. Barrera Elementary and its administration. The school has incorporated Farm to school efforts into their Physical Education curriculum. They have also recently started an Ag Club that helps monitor the orchard and ensure that the trees are doing well health-wise.

Plowing and digging the site of the orchard

Other Experiences the Students get from Farm to School

As a direct result, students also get to learn the practice of farming and preparing their own healthy meals/snacks.

Students learning healthy food preparation

The Rewards of the Farm to School Program

This intervention provides much needed access to healthy produce that is integral for the long-term health of the community and the students. Planting an orchard demonstrates a commitment to community nutrition for the next 20 years and beyond. This proposal provides an ongoing supply of fresh, seasonal fruit at a location and institution that is accessible to much of the local community.

Pictures provided by R.T. Barrera Elementary Principal, Mrs. M. Garcia and Physical Education Coach, Mr. A. Garza. (01/19/2023)

Moverte es Importante para tu Salud

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Cuidar de ti misma es una de las cosas más importantes que puedes hacer para ti y tu familia. Una forma de cuidar de ti misma es haciendo actividad física regular. Hacer más actividad física puede ayudarte a dormir mejor, reducir el estrés y reducir tu riesgo de enfermedades del corazón, ataque cerebral, algunos cánceres y diabetes tipo 2.

Nos estamos uniendo a otras organizaciones locales y nacionales para apoyar a la campaña Moving Matters, parte de la iniciativa Gente Activa, Nación Sana™ (Active People, Healthy Nation™), para ayudar a promover los beneficios de la actividad física, motivar a las personas a encontrar pequeñas formas de incluir movimiento en su día y recodarle a las personas que la actividad física puede ser divertida.

Visita https://www.cdc.gov/movernos para aprender más sobre la campaña y explorer maneras para moverte.