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…, 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…
Preserving food has been a practice for centuries, allowing us to extend the shelf life of our favorite foods and enjoy them long after they are out…
Canning is the process of sealing food in jars or cans to prevent spoilage. Some foods that are perfect for canning include:
Tomatoes: Whether whole…, Jarring involves storing food in glass jars or containers for long-term preservation. Here are some foods that are ideal for jarring:
Salsa:…, Dehydrating removes moisture from food items, making them lightweight and easy to store. Here are some foods ideal for dehydrating:
Herbs: Preserve…, Preserving food through canning, jarring, and dehydrating allows you to enjoy seasonal produce year-round and reduces food waste, especially if you…
Welcome to the ultimate holiday guide for a more sustainable and eco-friendlier season! In this curated collection, we have compiled a series of blog…
Are you searching for ways to make your home ready for the holidays and more environmentally friendly? Well, look no further! Start with “The Perfect…, Let’s not forget about one of the most important parts of the holiday season and that’s the food! “Zero Waste Holiday Leftovers” offers a range…, One of the best parts of the holidays is spending time with family, so why not make sure that time is spent in an eco-friendly way. Discover a…, The holiday season can be a time of the year where waste becomes excessive if we don’t pay attention. Before you get started on that gift list, check…, Implementing these eco-friendly practices during the festive season will allow you to reduce waste, craft recyclable decorations, and make…
The cold weather has finally arrived which means our gardens are entering their dormant season. But what happens to all the bees, butterflies, and…
Supporting beneficial insects through the winter chill can help control pest populations once spring arrives. With the right environment, many…, Planting cold-weather plants and trees can provide a food source to help pollinators make it through the winter. Some native Texas plants bloom…, You may be tempted to clean up your yard by pulling out weeds and cutting back as many plants as possible, however, weeds, perennials, and grasses…, While some bee species live in nests or hives, other species create ground nests and require loose soil or leaf litter to make it through the winter…, Did you need an excuse not to rake all those leaves that fell during the fall? The bugs in your yard use leaf litter for sustenance and protection…, Winter is a good time to pause spraying insecticides and herbicides since pest populations tend to be lower during the colder months. Many bothersome…, Many Texans look forward to having fewer insects invading their space during the winter season, but there are beneficial insects that are essential…
As the colder months approach, it’s essential to ensure your vehicle is properly prepared to handle the harsh winter conditions while also being…
When it comes to maintaining your vehicle in an eco-friendly manner, there are several practices you can adopt. Opting for environmentally friendly…, Instead of using deicers on your windshield during winter storms, cover it with a blanket. Placing a thick blanket over your windshield before a…, Filling up your gas tank during winter is a simple yet effective way to winterize your vehicle. Keeping your gas tank close to full helps prevent…, Slowing down and practicing mindful driving can be highly effective in helping the environment and your wallet. By reducing your speed and avoiding…, Embracing practices to improve fuel efficiency can have a positive impact on both your vehicle’s performance and the planet. One strategy is to…, Adopting eco-friendly practices to winterize your vehicle can make a significant difference in reducing your environmental impact while ensuring…
Making a New Year’s resolution for your garden is a great way to start the year with purpose and creativity. Whether you’re growing vegetables,…
1. Start a Compost BinReduce kitchen and garden waste by composting. Add garden items like grass clippings, dry leaves, and…, 6. Add Eggshells and Coffee GroundsDon’t throw out your breakfast waste! Add it to your garden instead. Coffee grounds add…, Whether you make resolutions or not, we hope these ideas for the coming year inspire you. Find even more helpful ideas in our Guide to Yard Care.…
When we see litter along roads and in green spaces, it’s easy to assume it all originates from people intentionally discarding trash. While there are…
Even household trash can become litter. Loose or missing garbage lids, gusty winds, and curious critters like raccoons can scatter your waste…,
Driving along Texas roads and highways, you’ve likely seen countless pickup trucks and 18-wheelers hauling all kinds of materials. When these…,
Retail businesses often produce large amounts of packaging and delivery waste. If dumpsters aren’t covered properly, trash can spill out and…,
Construction and demolition sites are notorious sources of litter, especially when debris isn’t secured with tarps or placed in proper…,
We get some unpredictable and dangerous weather in Texas. Tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and high winds can carry trash far from its original…,
Car wrecks and tire blowouts can leave behind a trail of debris—tiny shards of plastic, scattered glass, and chunks of rubber. Despite emergency…, By having a greater understanding of the many sources of litter, we can make some better choices in our daily lives to reduce the overall impact of…
The winter solstice has passed which means the days will finally start getting longer. In the meantime, it’s important to be mindful of how our…
Light pollution is the brightening of the night sky caused by excessive artificial lighting from streetlights, outdoor lights, electronic advertising…, • Unnecessary lighting and light that shines when and where it’s not needed is wasteful environmentally and economically. It is estimated that at…, Follow the Five Principles of Light to Protect the Night.UsefulUse light only where it is needed. Before installing a light, consider if the light is…, • When replacing old bulbs, make sure you know how to dispose of your old ones properly. Some bulbs, like fluorescents, contain small amounts of…, Brighter doesn’t always mean better! Outdoor lights that are overly bright, unshielded, or spilling beyond where they’re needed can negatively affect…
In the vast landscape of Texas, there are many extraordinary women whose dedication and contributions have profoundly impacted the environment. From…
Claudia “Lady Bird” Johnson was a former First Lady of the United States and an influential environmentalist known for her efforts to beautify…, Terry Hershey was an influential environmental activist and conservationist, recognized for her significant contributions to the preservation and…, Carol Dinkins is an accomplished environmental lawyer and conservation advocate who has made significant contributions to protecting the natural…, Barbara Doolin is an environmental educator and organizer who has dedicated her career to raising awareness about environmental issues and promoting…, Josie Gutierrez is a prominent environmental advocate, community leader, and storyteller based in San Antonio. She serves as the Regional Coordinator…, As we reflect on the remarkable accomplishments and unwavering dedication of these five influential Texas women, it becomes abundantly clear that…