Del Rio Seeks HEB Grant to Restore Riparian Habitat, Protect Wildlife
Del Rio City Council voted to submit an application for the HEB and Keep Texas Beautiful Our Texas Our Future grant for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, seeking up to five thousand dollars to fund local beautification and habitat restoration. The move targets invasive plant removal, pollinator protections, and small habitat structures that aim to safeguard several rare local species and strengthen community resilience.
At its November 18 meeting city leaders authorized staff to apply for the Our Texas Our Future FY2025 to FY2026 grant from HEB and Keep Texas Beautiful, a program offering awards up to five thousand dollars. Community Services Director Esme Meza reported that Del Rio qualified as one of about ten Texas affiliates in HEBs service area, and that the city was one of two being considered in the wildlife protection and habitat restoration category. Council also authorized the city manager to ratify and accept the grant if it is awarded.
The application focuses on practical, targeted work along local riparian corridors. Project priorities include removing invasive species such as Arundo donax, protecting pollinators, replanting native riparian vegetation, and installing small habitat structures such as bat boxes and bee hotels. Meza pointed to native and rare local species that would benefit from the work, including fishes such as the Proserpine shiner and Devil s River minnow, reptiles such as the indigo snake and Big Bend blackhead snake, and several bat species.
For Val Verde County residents the initiative offers direct ecological and community benefits. Restoring native vegetation and removing dense stands of invasive reed can improve streamside stability, enhance water quality, and expand habitat for pollinators that support urban and agricultural plants. Small investments in bat and bee habitat can yield outsized returns by bolstering insect control and pollination services that matter to local gardens, orchards, and natural areas.
The grant application also situates Del Rio within broader conservation partnerships that connect local communities, nonprofit stewardship programs, and regional corporate support. While five thousand dollars is modest, targeted projects can catalyze volunteer involvement and leverage additional resources for larger restoration efforts. If awarded, the work would offer tangible steps toward protecting uncommon species and improving the health of riparian corridors that are integral to Del Rio s environment and quality of life.
