In today’s world, where environmental concerns are at the forefront, it is crucial to instill eco-consciousness in our future generations. One of the…
Teaching students the importance of the 3Rs—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—is the foundation of sustainable practices. Encourage students to minimize waste…, The concept of teaching students about conserving energy may sound daunting but it doesn’t have to be. Get students involved with how they use energy…, Bringing nature into the classroom can foster a sense of responsibility and teach students the importance of sustainable food practices. Create a…, Incorporate environmental education into the curriculum, integrating concepts of sustainability into various subjects. You can visit our Take Care of…
March 3, 2024
With over 4,400 entries in the Take Care of Texas Kids Art Contest, three students will be taking home new laptops to celebrate the way they shared…
As teachers, we all have the power to instill a sense of environmental responsibility and stewardship in our students, starting from the early…
For lower grade levels, anchor charts should be interactive, but most of the information should either be provided or used as a review for the…, Teach students about the 3 Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) with this interactive anchor chart. First, have students discuss what they know about the 3 Rs…, The next anchor chart is a great way to conclude the study of conserving Earth’s resources by having the students pledge to take care of the planet.…, For upper grade levels, anchor charts should be built by the students with the teacher guiding thoughts and ideas. These anchor charts can be used to…, When learning about ecosystems, create anchor charts that can be hung around the classroom to initiate movement within the classroom. One anchor…, In the upper grades, students are asked to collaborate and work together to think outside the box for solutions to real world problems. Have students…, When discussing new topics at any grade level, teachers can create an anchor chart called a K-W-L chart. The K-W-L chart looks at three aspects of…, Not only can anchor charts help students think more rigorously about their own green habits, but they can also allow students to share their thinking…
Gardening enthusiasts often find themselves contending with the presence of snails in their gardens. While some see these shelled creatures as a…
Although snails get a bad reputation, snails could be helpful for your garden. Snails are low in the food chain which means larger predators such as…, But let’s be real, snails may be beneficial in some ways, but they also destroy things that require a lot of energy and time. So, despite their…
We’re moving in an increasingly green direction, especially with the things we choose to buy and use in our daily lives. But what do these “…
In recent years, the demand for “green” products has been skyrocketing, and companies are aware that this should be reflective in their products’…, First issued in 1992, the FTC’s Green Guides have since been revised in 1996, 1998, and 2012. The most recent revisions include…, When you’re out shopping and reading product labels that say things like “eco-friendly,” “green,” or “environmentally safe,” it’s best to look a…, While this isn’t the entire list of “green” claims used by companies, we’ve listed a few common words and phrases for quick reference so…,
Going green isn’t always easy, but hopefully de-mystifying the process sheds a little more light on what we can all do to make smarter choices. So…
Millions of people have at least one cup of coffee during the day, looking for a boost of energy from the caffeinated beverage or the comfort of a…
When consumed through single-use methods—disposable cups, filters, or pods and bags—coffee poses a problem for the environment. Thankfully, there are…, It’s estimated that Americans send around 25 billion Styrofoam coffee cups to landfills each year. One of the easiest methods for lowering…, Single-use coffee “pods” create unnecessary waste. Recycling the pods can be difficult, as most cannot be recycled as a unit. Consult the…, Selecting a coffee maker is a big choice. You want to get a reliable device. While some can be inexpensive, they may also break easily, causing them…, Once you have finished making a delicious cup of coffee, you are left with coffee grounds. Instead of throwing them in the trash, you can add them to…, Once you have a good coffee machine, you will need to consider the type of filter you are using. The most common is a paper filter. This is single-…, Most coffee is sold in smaller packets. While this is convenient, it means more plastic bags will be sent to landfills. The good news is that there…
This season is the perfect time to make some changes to your traditional gifting practices. Studies show that Americans create 25% more waste during…
Many wrapping materials are single-use and made of plastic, like glossy wrapping paper or glittery holiday bows. Below are some easy swaps for…, Your wrapping can actually be a gift itself. Use scarves, tea towels, or cloth napkins to wrap gifts. This Japanese wrapping technique can be…, Consider purchasing reusable boxes for your holiday gifting. These items are sturdier than your average cardboard box and come in a wide variety of…, By wrapping your gifts in paper bags or old shipping boxes, you are giving those materials a second life! Paper bags with patterns or store logos can…, Filling glass jars with fun things like hot cocoa or brownie mix is a great way to add a personal touch to any holiday event. For smaller gifts place…, Opt for fabric or durable bags that can be used multiple times. Unlike disposable bags, reusable gift bags reduce waste, making them a great…, Use vintage maps, comics, or newspaper pages for a rustic, recycled look. Maps add a sense of nostalgia and adventure, while newspaper pages offer a…, It’s easy to make simple changes to our holiday traditions that can have a big impact. These small sustainable swaps will make your holidays greener…
It’s trick or treat season again! Just don’t get tricked into adding more trash to the landfill graveyards. Instead, consider having an…
Here are some simple tips to prevent trash and wasted energy, so you can treat yourself to a greener Halloween.
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Energy Vampires — Some electronic devices still draw power when they’re not turned on. Use power strips and turn off lights, fog machines,…, We hope you have a safe, responsible, and green Halloween! Share these tips with others and have a monster's ball celebrating this year.
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…
Escape the classroom and explore Texas with these videos that include accompanying handouts and activities. Visit our YouTube playlist to view our…
Explore the unique ecosystems of estuaries with TCEQ scientist, Robby, as he explains how different environmental changes can affect these habitats.…,
Learn about how the TCEQ protects drinking water and ensures that it’s safe for all Texans. Follow Crystal, a scientist at the TCEQ, as she explains…,
Learn about the biodiversity of Texas rivers from Jill and Brittany, scientists at the TCEQ. They work to monitor the water quality and overall…,
Learn about what makes the climate of Texas so special from Weslee, a TCEQ Meteorologist. At his job, Weslee uses data from all across the state of…,
Determine the proper ways to recycle your electronics in Texas, while learning helpful tips about how to reduce electronic waste overall. Jackie, a…,
Explore the natural sources of water in Texas and why conserving water is so important! In this video, we’ll learn about the three forms that water…
The State of Texas wants you to conserve water, energy, and utility bill costs by waiving sales tax on several water- and energy-saving appliances on…
During Memorial Day weekend, Texans can potentially save hundreds of dollars when purchasing, renting, or leasing qualifying appliances tax–free.
, If you’re in the market for new appliances, look for the ENERGY STAR logo first. ENERGY STAR is a program of the US Environmental Protection…, If you’re replacing an existing appliance, there’s a good chance that you have no use for the old one. If the appliance still works, you can sell it…, During the tax holiday, any product that displays a WaterSense label or logo can be purchased tax free. This includes items like toilets, showerheads…