Through the months of December and January, the Central Texas Mobility Authority has been busy planting trees at five Round Rock ISD schools, including Grisham and Canyon Vista middle schools and Caraway, Forest North and Spicewood elementary schools. The trees were planted to kick off the beginning of the 183 North Mobility Project.

Instead of a traditional groundbreaking for the project, the Mobility Authority held a virtual “ground-building” to embrace local heroes, deemed “community cultivators,” that nurture our community and help it thrive. For this event, the Mobility Authority acknowledged educators at the five schools located along the 183 North Mobility project corridor. The schools’ educators and staff enjoyed a ceremonial tree planting and dedication.

“The planting of trees represents a special kind of groundbreaking – one where the soil is turned to sow seeds of community, celebrate those who protect the quality of life for the region and cultivate the improvements that help us grow and move together,” said Bobby Jenkins, chairman of the Mobility Authority Board of Directors. “It is a beautiful way to mirror the goals of the 183 North Mobility Project.”

Each of the schools involved in this event was presented with a native species tree of their choice. The Mobility Authority sourced the trees from Moon Valley Nurseries, a local business along the 183 North Mobility Project corridor.

“Round Rock ISD is honored that the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority chose to recognize teachers and school staff as cultivators of the next generation of leaders,” said Community Partnerships Supervisor Rachael Sefton. “The tree not only symbolizes gratitude from the Mobility Authority, but it also represents the idea that it takes all of us working together to grow our students to become contributors in our world.”