The Dia del Rio Festival sponsored by the Rio Bravo Nature Center brought the community together at Shelby Park on Saturday, October 20th. Girl Scout Troops 23, 44, 52, 177, 161, and 193 were joined by Cub Scout Troop 44, the C. C. Winn ROTC, and various volunteers in a tree planting, park clean up, and a river blessing ceremony.

Other activities included getting the public involved in a "Citizen Scientist" research project that is part of a nation-wide effort to record more data about the migration of the monarch butterfly. Girl Scouts affixed a small sticky tag to the butterfly's wing, recorded various notes about the individual butterfly, then released it to continue its migration. The tag contains a specific number and an address for the University of Kansas, which is coordinating the research.

At noon, a successful plate sale raised money for the Rio Bravo Nature Center's Operating Fund Campaign. Generous use of a new BBQ wagon was provided by Eduardo de la Garza with Javier Gonzalez and Relvy del Rio cooking. The Wagon Wheel Restaurant in Seco Mines also assisted in cooking the meat, while Girl Scouts and their families contributed other cooking efforts. Materials for the delicious fajita plates were provided by HEB, Eagle Warehouse Grocery, Castanos Supermarket, and Eagle Grocery. Wal-mart also contributed to the cause.

Extra efforts and personal contributions came from Enedelia Flores, Emily Keagle, Rosa de la Garza, and Rose Byrne.

At the River Blessing Mayor Jose "Pepe" Aranda spoke about the importance of the Rio Grande to the livelihood of our community. Vice President of the Rio Bravo Nature Center, John Stockley, spoke of the historical significance of the river, and Reverend Paul Fry of the Redeemer Episcopal Church offered up an eloquent and moving prayer for the continued well-being of the waters that flow through our Community. Executive Director of the Nature Center, Carol Cullar, concluded the ceremonies with a cheer, "Viva! Viva! Viva el Rio!"

In the afternoon the group planted trees native to the vega: cotton wood, native pecan, willow, and live oak. Purchase of the trees was made possible by Garcia's Nursery and a grant from the Rio Grande/ Rio Bravo Basin Coalition, a multi-national, multi-cultural organization, whose purpose is to help local communities restore and sustain the environment, economies, and social well-being of the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo Basin.