- November 7, 2025
City of Mission Appoints Native Plants Ad Hoc Committee to Promote Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship
MISSION, TEXAS – The City Council of the City of Mission is proud to announce the creation of the Native Plants Ad Hoc Committee, officially appointed during the regular City Council meeting on October 28, 2025.
This newly formed, seven-member committee will play an important role in promoting sustainable landscaping and water conservation across the city. The committee’s mission is to establish clear guidelines for recognizing and encouraging the use of native plants in residential yards. Once these guidelines are in place, the committee will review applications and recommend official Native Plant Designations to deserving property owners.
These designations will celebrate residents who take proactive steps to conserve water, support pollinators, and protect local ecosystems through responsible, native landscaping.
“The City of Mission is committed to leading by example when it comes to sustainability,” said Mission Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza. “This committee brings together a talented group of environmental experts who will help our city preserve natural beauty, protect our environment, and educate residents on the power of native plants.”
The seven individuals appointed to the Native Plants Ad Hoc Committee bring a wealth of environmental knowledge and community experience:
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Elizabeth (Beth) Grace Perez – Mission resident; Manager and family partner of the 2,600-acre Perez Ranch and a native plant grower for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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Carlos Garcia Patlan – Edinburg; RGV Regional Community Ecologist in the Urban and Community Forestry Program at the Texas A&M Forest Service.
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Ernesto Herrera – Mission; Environmental Project Planner with the Texas Department of Transportation; holds a Master’s Degree in Biology from UTRGV.
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John Brush – Edinburg; Biologist and environmental consultant currently serving as an Urban Ecologist with Quinta Mazatlán in McAllen.
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Mackenzie Feldman – Edinburg; Founder and Co-Director of Re:wild Your Campus, an initiative dedicated to eliminating synthetic pesticides and promoting organic land management; co-author of Groundbreakers: 60+ Plant-Based Comfort Food Recipes and 16 Leaders Changing the Food System.
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Angela Rojas – Mission; Biologist with Quinta Mazatlán, where she leads educational workshops on native gardening, plant propagation, and plant identification.
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Hector Alejandro Leal – Mission; Environmental Scientist and UTRGV graduate with research experience monitoring greenhouse gas emissions in estuarine ecosystems.
The formation of this committee aligns with the City of Mission’s broader efforts to support sustainability, conservation, and community education through collaborative partnerships and innovative programs.
For more information on the Native Plants Ad Hoc Committee or upcoming sustainability initiatives, please contact Sydney Hernandez, Director of Media Relations for The City of Mission.