Smokey the Bear is approaching his 80th birthday, and his message is as important now as it's ever been: Only you can prevent wildfires! To help…
According to Texas A&M Forest Service, wildfires can happen anywhere in Texas, and more than three-quarters of wildfires happen near communities…, Once a burn ban has been declared, Texas A&M Forest Service compiles this information on a daily statewide Burn Ban Map. Check to see if your…
When summertime heat comes to Texas, it doesn’t just stop in to say “howdy.” During most Texas summers, the heat will settle in, turn on all the…
Everyone’s idea of “cold enough” is a little different but setting your home’s interior temperature to “meat locker” all day will lead to high energy…, Check That Gunked-up Filter! When did you last replace the main filter in your air conditioning system? A filter that is clogged up with dust…, Any type of fan—ceiling, table, tower, box, wall, floor, or otherwise—serves the purpose of moving air across your skin for an evaporative cooling…, Your home has some obvious gaps in its armor against the elements: windows and doors. Until you test them, you won’t know if there’s a gap allowing…
Did you know that using compost improves the health of grass, crops, and other plants, and promotes waste reduction? There are numerous benefits to…
Americans create compost or mulch from 63% of our yard trimmings. Food scraps are recovered for some type of beneficial use at a rate of 32%. This…, Using compost helps roots to better absorb and provide nutrients to plants. This helps plants grow and reduces the need for artificial, chemical-…, Compost’s spongy and absorbent qualities help soil retain moisture by acting as a barrier against evaporation. As a result, using compost on your…, Since using compost greatly reduces the amount of water required for lawn care and gardens, its use can result in significant savings on your water…, You can support Texas businesses and the jobs they provide by buying compost that’s made in Texas. When you buy local compost, you’re also reducing…, There are a variety of educational and support programs for home composting — some even provide financial incentives! So, the next time you’re about…
Hi y’all! We are the Take Care of Texas mascots—River & Sky!
We are Texas Blue Lacys
The state dog of Texas! Blue Lacys were brought to Texas by ranchers in the mid-1800s. We were bred for herding, tracking,…, We teach people like you how to Take Care of Texas!
We are always learning more about how to reduce our waste, conserve water, and protect the air…, Use these word searches and crosswords to reinforce vocabulary found in the 3 Rs video:
3 Rs Word Search K-2and3 Rs Word Search 3-5
3 Rs Crossword K-…
Light bulbs are tricky to recycle, as they require special care for safe handling. It can also be a challenge to find a place where they can be…
Did you know that some light bulbs contain mercury, a chemical element that can be hazardous to your health and the environment?
Fluorescent…, If your local HHW collection does not accept fluorescent bulbs or you do not have a collection near you, you can check www.Earth911.com or www.…,
Special care should be taken when handling and disposing of broken fluorescent bulbs.
First, have everyone, including pets, leave the room…, Other types of old or broken bulbs, including incandescent, halogen, and LED, can be disposed of in your regular trash. Some local HHW collection…
September is National Preparedness Month! With unpredictable weather, it’s important that you and your family are prepared for any disaster that may…
National Preparedness Month raises awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. “A…, There are very practical ways you can be prepared for any disaster. Don’t be caught off guard.
Build an emergency supply kit, and include: a three-…, Get your kids involved! Teaching them now may save their life or someone else’s when disaster strikes. Talk about the various severe weather…, A lot of information is available to help you plan for natural disasters. You can look at the free resources linked below and choose the best fit for…
It’s easy to make the case for saving water in a drought, but how can we make those conservation habits last?
Nearly every summer it seems like each square mile of Texas is impacted by some level of drought. Oftentimes that drought can be exceptional, which…, While it’s great to say “I want to save water,” it’s more effective to say specific things like “I want to take shorter showers, only run the…, Write down the habit(s) you want to make permanent. Call it a plan if you like. Visualizing the habit, thinking about what you’re going to do to…, People tend to engage in their regular habits (like exercising or brushing their teeth) the same way if they're in their familiar environment.…, Repeat this as often as necessary: weekly, daily, or even multiple times per day. It’s important to regularly affirm that you’re making this…, Another tactic that can help break your old habits is to fine yourself. Self-imposed penalties have a way of making bad habits sting just a little…, Surround yourself with people who will hold you accountable. Tell them what you’re doing and how you’re going to do it. Knowing that others are aware…, This is akin to when you decide to focus on getting healthy. When you start to look noticeably different, people will usually praise your progress.…, Good habits won’t become permanent overnight. It takes time, effort, and diligence to make them a long-term habit. You will experience slip-ups along…, Whether we’re in a time of plentiful rainfall or a period of prolonged drought, making water saving habits a permanent part of our daily lives will…
If you are having issues with submitting this form, please open the image file in an image editing software (ex: MS Paint, GIMP, Photoshop, etc…
One of the reasons plastic has fallen out of favor in recent years is that plastic waste seems to be everywhere. We have all probably noticed plastic…
Reusable bags are an alternative to single-use plastic bags, but despite our best efforts, we may still end up with items such as cling wrap, bread…,
Recyclable films include:
Most single layer plastic bags, including zip-top food storage bags, newspaper bags, and some cereal bags (make…, Plastic film is generally not welcome in curbside recycling programs, largely because such items become tangled in recycling sorting machines—costing…
Did you know your purchases have power? Buying local and choosing products made with recycled materials doesn’t just help the environment, it also…
Buying items that were made or grown locally reduces the fuel and resources required to transport them. This results in less pollution. Buying local…, When we purchase goods made from recovered materials, we are doing our part to “close the loop” on the recycling process, in which post-consumer…
There’s a monster lurking in the pipes under your neighborhood. It’s not a killer clown from outer space, nor a pink blob with a hankerin’ for human…
A fatberg is a mass of waste in a wastewater system that forms when items like fats, oils, and grease combine and form a solid lump that clogs up…, The City of Houston offered some examples of the hassles that improper disposal of waste in water systems caused during fiscal year 2022. By the…, While the scourge of the sewers is ultimately a manifestation of our collective flushing habits, the solution can be found in the same place: our…,
You may have never thought about it, but the drains in your kitchen and bathroom sinks, utility sinks, bathtubs, and showers all send water to the…
For more than a century, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts have been leaders in protecting the environment and conserving our resources. These young Texans…
Cub Scout and Scouts BSA Patch Requirements
Scouts BSA Patch Application Form
Cub and Webelos Patch Application Form
Currently, the patch and…,
Patch Requirements
Currently, the patch is only available to the following councils, but we are expanding.
Girl Scouts of Central Texas
Girl…, For those Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts who go above and beyond in their journey to protect and preserve the Texas environment, we’re offering a chance…
With the holiday season on our doorstep, it’s important to prepare for any events you might attend or host. A little bit of planning will go a long…
Cooler weather gives us so much to look forward to. We see friends, attend parties, eat food, and generally enjoy the holiday season. An unfortunate…,
If you use propane to heat the meat (and vegetables), dispose of your propane tank properly. An empty propane tank can’t be placed in your…,
When hosting a game watching party, avoid single-use disposable plates and cups. Instead, opt for traditional dinnerware. Think of it like this:…,
If you’re going to dress up in a costume, a little bit of planning can save you from buying needless items that will only get thrown away on…,
It seems like nothing generates more fat than an oven-roasted turkey. While some of the leftover fat and grease may be used in the gravy, the…,
Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are traditionally celebrated by giving gifts. This year, instead of buying disposable wrapping paper, try using…