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

Texas Parks & Wildlife CO-OP Grant Writing Workshops

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The Community Outdoor Outreach Program (CO-OP) will begin accepting applications for programming that engages under-represented audiences in TPWD mission-oriented outdoor recreation, conservation, and environmental education activities on August 1st, 2022.  Target audience demographics include low income, female, racial minority, and individuals with disabilities.  Grant funding can support personnel, training, travel, food, fees, and supplies.  This grant does not support construction and no sponsor contribution or match is required.  

CO-OP staff will host a series of Grant Writing Workshops to cover all the elements needed for a competitive project application. Offered both online and at sites around the state, the workshop will provide application support and assist potential applicants with grant program requirements and priorities, an overview of the application process, review the new scoring criteria, help with budget planning and eligible grant expenses, and answer questions from applicants.   

To attend at workshop, complete the online registration at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F4BA5AD2DA1F5C16-community 

June 289:00am to 12:00pm Amarillo Parks and Recreation/ City Hall, Amarillo, TX 
July 281:00pm to 4:00pm ONLINE/ LIVE WORKSHOP 
August 2 9:00am to 12:30pm Franklin Mountains State Park, El Paso, TX 
August 249:30am to 12:30pm The Witte Museum, San Antonio, TX 
August 319:00am to 12:30pm Tyler State Park, Tyler, TX 
September 139:00am to 12:30pm Bentsen Rio Grande State Park, Mission, TX 
October 41:00pm to 4:00pm ONLINE/ LIVE WORKSHOP 

For additional information, contact grant staff or visit the CO-OP website. 

Starr County Workshops

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By: Kelsey Coats

On Tuesday, October 22, the Move Rio Forward working group held a Walkability Workshop and Walking Audit at the Kelsey Bass Museum in downtown Rio Grande City facilitated by the Agrilife WoW-E Team. This focused on two of their Route to Destination (R2D) Community PSE Start Ups in Starr County.

A group discussing a barrier on the route during the walking audit.

A group discussing a barrier on the route during the walking audit.

Move Rio Forward aims to make downtown Rio Grande City more walkable for pedestrians, whether those are locals or visitors. The idea is that people will park in one place and walk around to do their errands instead of driving their car to each place separately. The group also envisions people walking around before or after enjoying a meal downtown.

During the Walking Audit workshop attendees walked the downtown area noting what works and what could be improved for supportive walking environments. In attendance were members of the F.J. Scott Study Club and Woman’s Club RGC, Rio Grande City planners, an Economic Development Corporation representative, a Rio Grande City Public Works representative, members of the Rio Grande City Garden Club, and Starr County Agrilife Extension. The group aims to pilot test pop up crosswalks and signage in early 2020. They also hope that making the downtown area more walkable will revitalize the area and make the community healthier.

Picture showing the group who attended the workshop in their safety vests ready to conduct the walking audit.

The Walkability Workshop Group ready to conduct the walking audit in their safety vests.

On Wednesday, October 23, the Rio Grande City Librarian brainstormed active play and walkability ideas with the Agrilife WoW-E Team. The Agrilife WoW-E Team received a tour of the historic building the library is housed in and learned about services and programs offered by the library. The Rio Grande City Librarian is looking to incorporate active play and walkability into existing library programs and is looking for ways to encourage children and their families to be more active at the library. Because the library is an everyday place, they also seek to make walking to and around the library easier. They aim to incorporate pop-up play into an event before the holidays this year.

The picture shows the Rio Grande City Library exterior.

Rio Grande City Library

The Starr County Health Coalition met to learn about and discuss other initiatives in the county and how to promote them as well as to get an update on the WoW-E project. The Agrilife WoW-E Team is excited to continue working with these groups on their Community PSE Start Ups in Starr County and looks forward to returning soon.

Increasing walkability is of growing importance to communities around the nation, with several notable benefits.

  • Health: Multiple studies point to decreased risk for obesity, diabetes, and heart disease for residents of a walkable neighborhood than those in sprawling neighborhoods.
  • Finances: Walking is low cost and people often do not have to spend money on gas.
  • Happiness: Traffic and congestion can cause frustration.
  • Community: Walkable areas increase interaction with friends and neighbors. It also can help small businesses thrive.

 

Find out more about the Agrilife WoW-E initiatives on our Facebook page, Working on Wellness Environments- Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. To inquire about our walking audits and walkability workshops click here.