The Big Bend Conservation Alliance, in partnership with the City of Presidio, has broken ground on a major environmental justice project that will transform the Presidio Activity Center into a solar-powered emergency cooling center.
The project is part of a broader $12.7 million federal investment from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights. The initiative, titled “Everything’s Connected in Presidio,” aims to reduce pollution and improve climate resiliency in the border town through green infrastructure and community-based solutions.
At the heart of the project is the installation of solar panels and a battery backup system at the Presidio Activity Center, located at 1200 E O’Reilly St. Once complete, the facility will serve as a place of refuge during extreme heat and power outages.
The project’s groundbreaking event, held at the Activity Center, marked the official launch of a multi-phase effort that includes planting thousands of trees, building water detention ponds, and developing a greenbelt and native garden. It also includes a student-led air quality monitoring program and emergency text alerts aimed at reducing traffic-related pollution at the nearby international bridge crossing.
More information about “Everything’s Connected in Presidio” can be found at www.bigbendconservationalliance.org.
Image Credit: Big Bend Conservation Alliance
