CONTEST OVERVIEW
Texas students in grades K-5 are invited to participate in the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality’s Take Care of Texas Kids…
ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS
The contest theme is keeping our air clean. Artwork must depict positive ways Texans can prevent air pollution and keep the air…
Imagine opening your fridge and finding forgotten leftovers, wilted lettuce, or a loaf of bread that’s seen better days. Food waste is a common…
Planning recipes can be a creative and enjoyable process. Theme nights like Taco Tuesday, Stir-fry Saturday, or Comfort Food Sunday can help narrow…, If you have extra ingredients or leftover food that you can’t finish, save it for another time by putting it in the freezer. Freezing food in the…, Storing foods in specific sections of the freezer is important for several reasons. Different sections of the freezer may have slightly varying…, Remember to plan, create recipes, and organize your freezer strategically. This will help preserve food quality, ensure safety, and minimize waste.…
Halloween is an exciting time of the year when we get to dress up in spooky costumes, carve pumpkins, and devour sweet treats. However, all this fun…
Some electronic devices continue to draw power while they’re turned off. Use power strips and turn off lights, fog machines, inflatables, stereos,…, Distribute treats with minimal or no packaging. Items like small school supplies, toys, coins, and other goodies such as cupcakes or cookies will…, Use environmentally friendly decorating items. Instead of single-use plastic items, decorate with live autumn plants or gourds. Once the holiday is…, Host a party with less trash by serving food with minimal packaging, using durable cups, and providing reusable plates and silverware such as bamboo…, A top priority for Halloween is finding that perfect costume. But what if that perfect costume was already in your closet! For an eco-friendly touch…, Walk or bike your trick-or-treating route instead of driving, resulting in fewer emissions from your vehicle. You could also consider visiting a…, Compost your jack-o-lanterns and floral displays rather than tossing them in the trash. If you don’t have a compost pile, this would be a great…, Kids can gather treats in reusable bags, buckets, or pillowcases without buying a single-use item. Not only can these reusable ideas be repurposed…
They’re back…AGAIN?! We thought they were buried for good, but these myths have clawed their way to the surface. Don’t worry, you’re not defenseless…
Reality: Modern landfills are more like tombs—packed tightly and lacking the oxygen and sunlight needed for proper decomposition. Composting, on…, Reality: The benefits of recycling far outweigh the minimal water needed to rinse recyclable containers. Recycling reduces the need for raw materials…,
Reality: While some sustainable products may come with a frightfully higher upfront cost, they often save money in the long run. Durable, reusable…, Reality: Recycled products have come a long way, and many now match or even exceed the quality of non-recycled alternatives. Advances in recycling…,
Reality: Even in areas with abundant water, conservation is crucial. Not to mention, what’s abundant today can become a shortage tomorrow. Water…, Reality: Sustainability is a broad concept that encompasses environmental, social, and economic concepts. It’s about creating systems that support…,
Understanding and debunking these myths is key to making informed decisions that benefit both the environment and society. By embracing accurate…
If you’re wondering how to make the most of the rain Texas gets, try building a rain garden! Rain gardens are comprised of native perennials, shrubs…
Reduce flooding
Improve water quality
Recharge groundwater
Conserve water
Create food and habitat for birds and butterflies
Reduce mosquito breeding…, Find the Right Location
Finding the right location in your yard is crucial. Rain gardens are typically built where water pools or rainwater runs off…, Calculate the Size of Your Garden
Most rain gardens range from 100 to 300 square feet. If you want to maximize your rain garden’s efficiency, you can…, Select your Plants
Native and adapted plants are the best options for your Texas rain garden, however, the specific plants you use for your…,
Observe the performance of your rain garden over time. If the water does not absorb after two days, gently break up the top four to six inches of…
Americans generate 25% more waste between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day than the rest of the year! Between family gatherings, traveling, and gift-…
Make One Big Shopping TripWhether you’re shopping in-person or online, try to purchase all your gifts from one store to cut down on deliveries…, Choose Virtual GiftsInstead of giving a physical gift, opt for a virtual one. Virtual gifts are a sustainable alternative to physical gifts because…, Properly Dispose of Your Shipping MaterialsOnline shopping is convenient, but it comes with a lot of shipping waste. Cardboard boxes can accumulate…
The holiday season is here, and finding the perfect gift can be challenging. Sometimes it’s not easy to find something valuable that the recipient…
Indoor plants make excellent gifts for several reasons:
Aesthetic Appeal
Plants add a touch of beauty to any space, enhancing the décor of a home.…, Plants offer more than just visual pleasure; they contribute significantly to well-being.
Reduce Stress
Studies have shown that being around plants…, You’ve got to know what to look for: easy care, lenient watering schedules, and flexible lighting requirements are the best place to start. The Ivy…, Trends come and go, but a plant is never out of style. Houseplants brighten up a space, bring a sense of calm, and improve air quality. Giving a…
Congratulations to the winners of the Take Care of Texas Video Contest!They worked hard and produced wonderful, creative videos that help their…
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality invites Texas students enrolled in grades 6–12 to participate in the Take Care of Texas Video Contest.…
Participating students must upload their entry before 5:00 p.m. CST Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, CST, with the required documents. TCEQ is not…,
Video must portray positive ways Texans can protect the environment, including keeping the air clean, keeping the water clean, conserving water,…, All Texas middle- and high-school students—whether from public, charter, or private schools or homeschooled—are eligible to participate. Applicants…, The entries will be divided into two age groups, middle school and high school. TCEQ staff, the public, TCEQ executive staff and commissioners, and…, There will be six big winners and WMTX will provide the prizes.
Winners will be announced in February. Specific date to be announced.
Prizes for…
The Take Care of Texas Kids Art Contest kicks off on January 7, 2025.
This contest offers K-5 students an exciting opportunity to learn about…
The best way to Take Care of Texas is by learning about how we affect the natural environment of our state on a personal and community level. By…
Here you’ll find a wide variety of educational resources for teachers, parents, and students of all ages. Through using our resources as a program of…
Turn off lights when you don't need them. Lighting accounts for over 10% of the annual household utility bill. Save more energy by upgrading your…
Some devices continue to consume electricity when they are turned off, also known as standby power. Plugging electronics into a power strip provides…