The Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC) invites the community to the official launch of CompARTE Laredo on Saturday, March 21, beginning at 8:30 AM at Azteca Amphitheater in Azteca Park.

CompARTE Laredo is a new community initiative that connects 11 neighborhoods along the Rio Grande through art, culture, and nature. The program celebrates the river as a shared cultural and environmental resource while creating opportunities for residents to gather, learn, and express themselves creatively.

This day-long event will feature a variety of activities for all ages, including:

• 8:30 AM – Morning hike at Las Palmas Nature Trail with Dr. Rubio
• 10:00 AM – Cacao ceremony with Jazmini
• 12:00 PM – Community art workshop with Mo.Creates
• 7:00 PM – Poetry performance with Laredo Border Slam
• 8:00 PM – Film screening of “Without Shade, Without Rest” presented by Laredo Film Society and Six Eye Films

The event is free and open to everyone, and community members are encouraged to bring friends, family, and neighbors to take part in this celebration of creativity, culture, and connection to the Rio Grande.

CompARTE Laredo is presented by the Rio Grande International Study Center in collaboration with local artists, organizations, and community partners.

Registration is appreciated:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIaAothuTCfI.../viewform

For more information, contact RGISC at (956) 334-8209 or email mario@rgisc.org.

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Looking for a meaningful and exciting way for your child to spend Spring Break? The Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC) invites students to join our Spring Break Eco Camps 2026, where learning meets adventure in the great outdoors.

Campers will explore nature, participate in hands-on environmental activities, and build lasting memories—all while reconnecting with the natural world.

Camp Details

Middle School Camp (6th–8th Grade)

Monday, March 9
Drop-off: 8:00 AM at TAMIU
Pick-up: 3:00 PM at Joe Guerra Library

Elementary School Camp (3rd–5th Grade)

Tuesday, March 10 – Thursday, March 12
Drop-off: 8:00 AM at Lake Casa Blanca
Pick-up: 3:00 PM at Joe Guerra Library

Cost

$20 per day
Snacks and lunch are included.

Only 30 spots are available per day, so early registration is encouraged.

Why Join Eco Camps?

Students will:

• Learn about local ecosystems
• Participate in outdoor exploration
• Engage in interactive environmental education
• Connect with peers in a fun and supportive setting

This is more than just a camp—it’s an opportunity to inspire curiosity, stewardship, and a lifelong appreciation for nature.

Register Today

Spots are limited and fill quickly.

Secure your child’s place now:
https://reg.planetreg.com/E216740075778

For more information, contact:
adrian@rgisc.org
sharone@rgisc.org
(956) 285-2671

Give your child a Spring Break experience that makes a difference. Register today.

The Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC) is proud to present the 14th Annual Birds of the Brush Art Contest, a beloved South Texas tradition that celebrates art, wildlife, and community creativity.

Held alongside the annual Laredo Birding Festival, which RGISC has helped organize for over a decade, Birds of the Brush offers students and community members a platform to showcase their talents through paintings, drawings, and photography inspired by the vibrant bird species of the Rio Grande ecosystem.

This year, we are thrilled to share that we received over 300 outstanding entries—a true testament to the passion, creativity, and dedication of artists from our community and surrounding counties. Each piece reflects a deep appreciation for our region’s wildlife and the natural beauty that surrounds us.

Event Details
Date: Thursday, February 5, 2026
Time: 6:00–8:00 PM
Award Ceremony: 7:00 PM
Location: Laredo Center for the Arts
Admission: Free and open to the public

We extend our heartfelt thanks to HEB, our Title Sponsor, for their continued support of arts and environmental education, and to the Laredo Center for the Arts for generously hosting this year’s exhibition.

Join us as we celebrate creativity, conservation, and community at the 14th Annual Birds of the Brush—we can’t wait to see you there!

For more information, please contact Sharone Muñoz at sharone@rgisc.org.

The Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC) invites the public to attend the 2nd Community Workshop on Air Quality, a binational event focused on understanding and improving air quality in the U.S.–Mexico border region.

Titled “Air Has No Borders — and Neither Should Solutions,” this workshop brings together air quality experts, researchers, and community members from Massachusetts, Washington, D.C., California, and Monterrey to share data, case studies, and practical solutions to regional air quality challenges.

About the Workshop

Air pollution does not recognize borders, making cross-border collaboration essential. This community workshop is designed to help participants better understand local air quality data, explore air sensor mapping, and learn from successful air quality initiatives, including case studies from California.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with experts, ask questions, and discuss how communities can work together to build a healthier future.

Event Details

Laredo, Texas
Saturday, January 24, 2026
9:00 AM
Falcon Bank Event Center (Building D-1)
718 McPherson Rd., Laredo, TX

Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas
Saturday, January 24, 2026
3:00 PM
Espacio Cultural de la UAT
Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas
Avenida Luis Echeverría Infonavit Fundadores, 88275 Nuevo Laredo, Tamps

Workshop Topics

• Air quality sensor mapping
• What local air quality data tells us
• Lessons learned from California case studies
• Expert presentations and community discussion
• Building strategies for a healthier future

Additional Information

This event is open to the public, and no prior experience is required. Light refreshments will be provided.

For questions, call (956) 718-1063 or email anjela@rgisc.org.
Registration is available via the QR code on the event flyer.

The Rio Grande International Study Center (RGISC), through its Binational Air Council (BAC), will host a panel discussion examining real-world case studies of air pollution in Laredo and California. Held on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 2–4 p.m. at Texas A&M International University’s Academic Innovation Center (Room AIC 126), the event will bring together expert researchers and advocates to discuss environmental health impacts, policy challenges, and cross-border solutions. The panel features Jane Williams of California Communities Against Toxics, along with faculty experts from TAMIU and RGISC, and is presented in partnership with Texas A&M International University’s College of Education.

The Binational Air Council (BAC) Laredo/Nuevo Laredo, in partnership with RGISC, invites the public to a free webinar: “Invisible Pollution, Real Impact: Community Air Monitoring Program – Empowering Residents with Air Quality Data.”

This session will focus on how community-driven air monitoring programs help residents better understand local air quality conditions, promote transparency, and strengthen public advocacy for cleaner air in border communities.

Featured Speaker:
Anthony D’Souza, Community Air Monitoring Program Manager at Air Alliance Houston.

Date: Wednesday, December 10, 2025
Time: 5:30–6:30 PM CST
Zoom: ID 824 2383 0395 | Passcode: PM2.5

Join us to learn how accessible air quality data can empower residents, inform local action, and support healthier neighborhoods in the Laredo/Nuevo Laredo region.

Attention Elementary and Middle School Students and Families!
Eco-Explorers Fall Camp 2025 is here! 

We are excited to announce that we are now opening registration to the broader Laredo community, offering this opportunity to all local students.

This camp is open to students from all campuses. There are still spots remaining for both our elementary and middle school camps!

Las Palmas Nature Trail and Lake Casa Blanca
Nov 24 (Sapling Squad – Elementary students)
Nov 25 (Branch Builders – Middle School students)
8 AM – 3 PM
Only $10

Spots are limited!
Learn, explore, and reconnect with nature.

Registration is open and will close when spots are filled.
Updated Deadline: November 23rd at 5:00 PM CST

Register here: [bit.ly/EcoCamp2025]

¡Atención, estudiantes de primaria y secundaria y sus familias!
¡El Campamento Eco-Exploradores Otoño 2025 ha llegado! 

Nos emociona anunciar que ahora abrimos la inscripción a toda la comunidad de Laredo y ofrecemos esta oportunidad a todos los estudiantes locales.

Este campamento está abierto a estudiantes de todas las escuelas. ¡Aún quedan lugares disponibles tanto en primaria como en secundaria!

 Sendero Natural Las Palmas y Lago Casa Blanca
24 de Noviembre (Sapling Squad – estudiantes de primaria)
25 de Noviembre (Branch Builders – estudiantes de secundaria)
8 AM – 3 PM
Solo $10 

 ¡Cupos limitados!
Aprende, explora y reconéctate con la naturaleza.

 La inscripción está abierta y cerrará cuando se agoten los espacios.
Nueva fecha límite: 23 de noviembre a las 5:00 PM CST

Regístrese Aquí: [bit.ly/EcoCamp2025] 

The Binational Air Council (BAC) Laredo/Nuevo Laredo, in partnership with RGISC, invites the public to a free webinar: “Invisible Pollution, Real Impact: Understanding Air Quality in Our Neighborhoods.”

This event will explore how air quality affects communities in the border region and the health risks associated with PM2.5, one of the most harmful airborne pollutants.

Featured Speaker:
Dr. Bárbara Azucena Macías Hernández, Professor at the Faculty of Engineering and Sciences of the Autonomous University of Tamaulipas.

Date: Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Time: 5:00–6:00 PM CST
Zoom: ID 825 1618 9655 | Passcode: PM-2.5

Join us to learn more about the science behind air pollution and how we can work together to improve air quality and protect public health across the Laredo/Nuevo Laredo region.

RGISC invites you to take part in our 31st annual Día del Río celebration with a month-long calendar of exciting community events focused on nature, art, and local culture. From hikes and kayaking to art exhibits and yoga in nature, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

The Binational Air Council (BAC) Laredo/Nuevo Laredo, in partnership with RGISC, invites the community to a free public webinar: “Clearing the Air: Health Impacts of PM2.5.”

PM2.5 is one of the most dangerous forms of air pollution, linked to serious health problems, especially in vulnerable populations. This webinar will highlight how it affects our border region and what actions we can take to protect our health.

Featured Speaker:
Dr. Jessica Peña, Instructional Assistant Professor of Public Health at Texas A&M International University.

Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Time: 5:30–6:30 PM CST
Zoom: ID 841 2281 8447 | Passcode: PM-2.5

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn more about the hidden risks in the air we breathe and how we can work together for cleaner, healthier communities on both sides of the border.