In the interest of professional development and the development of leadership, the City of Laredo offers its employees courses and training. This year's Leadership Class has taken on a special project assigned by City Manager Larry Dovalina entitled "Nature Quest."
"It's something we have always done [leadership class assignment] and while in the past it has been a project that is conceptual, this year's class will actually have hands-on experience implementing their project and have a real impact on the community," said Dovalina. "It's a way to engage our employees and demonstrate to them that even the smallest effort goes a long way."
While the City has made great strides in implementing standard operating procedures that benefit the environment, there are aesthetic issues that come with efforts of preservation and protection.
The City Manager's Nature Quest assignment has as its vision to "improve the quality of life by increasing the number and assortment of recreational activities available to residents and tourists." Within this the Leadership Class will design a plan which will create connecting nature trails along the entire riverbank of the City of Laredo." This will encompass every detail involved in laying out park space and recreational facilities from Zacate Creek to the Slaughter Farm and connect to the recently competed trail that begins at Bridge II.
"I have never worked on this type of project before, but it's a challenge that I am willing to take on and make successful. There is a diverse group of employees from every facet of City government and together we should live up to the assignment and then some," said Guadalupe "Lupita" B. Narvaez of the City Manager's office and Leadership class member.
In addition to the green space design, the group must take into consideration environmental impact, right of entry issues, sponsorship or private/public partnership, public awareness, public participation, program of activities for a day of celebration, and participant recognition.
"I make the assignments every year based on what we have going on at the time, They are intended to be a team building exercise," said Dovalina. "The employees learn and practice skills such as teamwork, networking, leadership and in the course of it all they become better acquainted with departmental processes across the spectrum of City government. I truly think it leads to a better employee in the end, and as an added result a better experience for our customers in the long run."
Combining environmental activities and employee excellence is just another innovative way for City management to impress upon its closest advocates the importance of both objectives. In the process the Leadership Class is emphasized and their talents showcased and "green" issues continue in the forefront of City priorities.