Irving Mayoral Candidate Dr. Olivia El. Novelo Abreu
- FIG
- Apr 27
- 2 min read
1. As an elected official, what role could you play to promote the use of public spaces for gardens and botanical features that could support beneficial wildlife, like pollinators and native plants?
If elected mayor, I would enlist the help of experts in the field to make sure we take care of what we already have in our public spaces and gardens, plus continue adding plants that are beneficial for our wildlife.
Our pollinators also need water and safe spaces to survive.
I was born and raised in Mexico, in the Yucatán Peninsula, and learned from an early age to even protect turtles in sanctuaries built specifically for them. In America, for years I have mowed my lawn to leave it with the height needed for our nature friends.
Moreover, I constantly feed squirrels, birds and other living creatures that visit my garden.
I would also help establish neighborhood awareness of how important this is.
And lastly, share the stories like the Monarch Butterfly, traveling north to south and needing protection.
2. How could future developments in Irving like the old Texas Stadium site be incentivized to include green spaces and botanical elements?
The Old Texas Stadium could be a fantastic place to showcase nature! To that effect, I would try to partner and enlist help from other Botanical Gardens, like our beloved Dallas Arboretum.
3. What are some of your favorite places to enjoy nature in Irving / the DFW area?
My favorite place in Irving is my front yard, where I can quietly sit and watch all the creatures that I feed. I also love North Lake College’s lake and green spaces, since I worked there as full time faculty until I retired.
My heart beams with joy when I watch the ducks , just peacefully enjoying the water.
Being multilingual and with a good knowledge of world cultures, certainly allows me to communicate with the Irving Community.
A few years back, I was awarded the Hometown Prize by Keep Irving Beautiful, for all the love and care I have given to this city that has been home for over 40 years.
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