RGISC Rio Grande International Study Center

Día del Río is back! 🌊

Join RGISC this October as we celebrate the Rio Grande and the people, communities, and wildlife that make our river so special. 💜🌿

From night hikes and river science to cleanups, paddling, and family-friendly adventures, there are plenty of ways to get outside and connect with the river. 🛶🌵

📅 October 1–30
📍 Across the Rio Grande region

Check out the full lineup of events and find one (or a few!) to join us!

Loving Laredo Night Hike ⬇️

https://reg.planetreg.com/E92216261675415

RGISC Dr. James Earhart 4th Annual Memorial Paddle ⬇️

https://reg.planetreg.com/E8171111075100

Las Palmas Nature Trail Cleanup ⬇️

https://reg.planetreg.com/E9171615167572

👉 Visit https://rgisc.org/events/ for more information

LaredoTX RioGrandeValley RiverCommunity

BLOCK YOUR CALENDARS ON OCTOBER 10TH BECAUSE ITS TIME TO CELEBRATE!!!🎉🎉

These past couple of months have been heavy. Constantly fighting to protect our land from being stolen is no easy task, but we have defended and protected our land so far and the fight continues! THAT IS WORTH CELEBRATING 🤍🤍

JOIN US OCT 10th FROM 6pm-9pm for an evening of celebrating, good music and great food!!

SEE YOU THEREEE?!?! 👀👀👀👀

A little weather update!🌧️🦇

Our Loving Laredo Night Hike is currently tentative due to the weather.

We’re watching the forecast closely and will keep everyone posted if plans change.

Keep an eye on your email for updates! 📧

Ready for a night under the stars? 🌙🦇

Join us for the Annual Día del Río: Loving Laredo Night Hike featuring a guided Chacon bat hike! Experience our local ecosystem after dark and discover the winged protectors of our night sky.

Date: Friday, October 2nd
Time: Check-in at 6:00 PM | Hike starts at 6:15 PM
Location: M.E. Benavides Sports Complex (458 S. Bartlett Ave.)

Bring a water bottle, closed-toe shoes, and suitable outdoor walking attire. This event is free and open to the public, but spots are limited!

Scan the QR code on the flyer or visit surl.bot/1O5 to register now.

Join us for a scenic, guided 3.5-mile paddle on the river as we celebrate Día del Río and honor the legacy of Dr. James Earhart—RGISC co-founder, environmentalist, activist, and pioneer.

Whether you're an experienced kayaker or joining for the fun, come out and connect with our local river heritage!

Saturday, October 10th
Gather at 7:30 AM | Paddling starts at 8:00 AM
Parking & Shuttle: Markley Ln & Anna Ave

Equipment: Kayaks, life vests, and paddles are provided (limited kayaks available for rent).

⚠️ Note: River paddle is contingent on weather conditions and river flow.

How to Join: Register online at: surl.bot/1Nz

Questions? Call RGISC at (956) 718-1063 or email [email protected]

🌱 Green Pathways: Master Composting Class

What if investing in yourself could help grow a greener Laredo?

As part of Green Pathways: Green Skills for a Greener Laredo, RGISC's Adelante con Árboles program, funded by the Texas A&M Forest Service, is offering a Master Composting Class online October 12–16, from 4:30–6:30 PM.

This scholarship opportunity represents an investment of approximately $500 per participant in your learning, skills, and our community. We’re looking for committed participants who are ready to learn, participate, and share their knowledge beyond the classroom.

Program Details:
• Limited to 25 participants
• 40 hours of learning
• Hybrid instruction and self-paced composting coursework
• RGISC membership required
• No cash payment, this investment is provided through educational resources and instruction

Whether you're interested in composting at home, supporting community gardens, or developing new environmental skills, this is an opportunity to grow alongside your community.

Ready to be part of a greener Laredo?

Complete our interest form to learn more and express your interest in participating.

Register at https://surl.bot/1Nw

A BIG STEP FOR CLEANER AIR IN LOS DOS LAREDOS!

RGISC is excited to celebrate the successful Phase 2 launch of our Binational Community Air Monitoring Project!

In addition to holding press conferences in Laredo and Nuevo Laredo, to mark the launch, our air sensors network has now expanded to 54 PM2.5 monitoring locations and 4 Black Carbon monitors – in both sister cities.

Our goal is to better understand air pollution and its sources, and create community-driven solutions that make sense for our high profile binational region to boost our economy, and improve our public health and quality of life.

We are grateful to North American Development Bank, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and SEMARNAT for their foundational support, and to the EJ Data Fund, JLT Hershey Foundation, and GLM Martinez Foundation for supporting the continuation and expansion of this work.

We also thank our Binational Air Council members, technical consultants (air scientists), sensor hosts, volunteers, and partners who have made this effort possible. And a heartfelt thank you to the media and reporters who have helped to bring this story to the community, raise awareness about air quality, and highlight the importance of binational air quality monitoring for los Dos Laredos. Your coverage helps residents understand the air we share and why this work matters.

Air pollution does not recognize borders, and neither does our commitment to understanding the air we share.

54 PM2.5 locations. 4 Black Carbon monitors. 2 communities connected by 1 airshed.

This is community science in action.
This is binational collaboration in action.

¡UN GRAN PASO PARA UN AIRE MÁS LIMPIO EN LOS DOS LAREDOS!

¡RGISC se complace en celebrar el exitoso lanzamiento de la Fase 2 de nuestro Proyecto Binacional de Monitoreo Comunitario del Aire!

Además de realizar conferencias de prensa en Laredo y Nuevo Laredo para marcar el inicio, nuestra red de sensores de aire se ha expandido a 54 ubicaciones de monitoreo de PM2.5 y 4 monitores de Carbono Negro para Laredo y Nuevo Laredo.

Nuestro objetivo es comprender mejor la contaminación del aire y sus fuentes, y crear soluciones impulsadas por la comunidad que tengan sentido para nuestra comunidad binacional, con el fin de impulsar nuestra economía, mejorar la salud pública y elevar nuestra calidad de vida.

Agradecemos a NADBank, a la EPA de EE. UU. y a SEMARNAT por su apoyo fundamental, así como al EJ Data Fund, a la Fundación JLT Hershey y a la Fundación GLM Martinez por respaldar la continuación y expansión de este trabajo.

También agradecemos a los miembros de nuestro Consejo Binacional del Aire, consultores técnicos (científicos del aire), anfitriones de sensores, voluntarios y socios que han hecho posible este esfuerzo. Y un agradecimiento sincero a los medios de comunicación y reporteros que ayudaron a difundir esta historia a la comunidad, a crear conciencia sobre la calidad del aire y a resaltar la importancia del monitoreo binacional de la calidad del aire para los Dos Laredos. Su cobertura ayuda a los residentes a comprender el aire que compartimos y por qué este trabajo importa.

La contaminación del aire no reconoce fronteras, y nuestro compromiso con la comprensión del aire que compartimos tampoco.

54 ubicaciones de PM2.5. 4 monitores de Carbono Negro. 2 comunidades conectadas por 1 cuenca atmosférica.

Esto es ciencia comunitaria en acción.
Esto es colaboración binacional en acción.

North American Development Bank
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency