To celebrate National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Day on November 8, Take Care of Texas is highlighting the career of two Texas…
Anyone who encounters Ramiro Garcia will sense that he is gregarious, generous, and exemplifies leadership and servitude. It’s likely the combination…, A Harlingen native, Garcia attended St. Edward’s University in Austin, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. Following his…, Garcia said his coworkers recognize his passion and loyalty to the team, and that he sees the same in them, especially when stressors are high.…, Garcia takes great pride in his Rio Grande Valley roots. “I love being from this state,” Garcia said. “I've been blessed to have the…, Garcia acknowledges that his job often requires much of his time, making a work-life balance difficult. Emergency responses and rulemaking teamwork…, Garcia recalled the times that he had to learn something new, and the people who helped him get over the hurdles he encountered. “Always be kind…
To celebrate National Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Day, Take Care of Texas is highlighting the career of two Texas Commission on…
L’Oreal Stepney describes herself as curious, and noted that her curiosity has remained her primary motivation throughout her time with the…, Stepney described herself as a student who was always interested in math and science while growing up in south Dallas. She has two sisters, one older…, “Like a lot of students, I really didn't know what I wanted to do for college when I was a senior in high school,” Stepney recalled. She had…, After completing her degree at UT, Stepney began her career at TCEQ in 1992 as an air permit writer. This job introduced Stepney to the policy side…, Unsurprisingly given her success, Stepney’s advice for young professionals in STEM reflects how she describes herself: be curious. “Be…
Everything is bigger in Texas, including our Thanksgiving celebrations! Unfortunately, Thanksgiving is a leading holiday for food waste and trash,…
Here are some environmental-friendly tips you can integrate with your holiday traditions.
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Efficient car travels—Are you getting the most out of your car? You’ll save money on gas and reduce pollution during holiday travels by keeping your…,
Prepare less food—People may feel compelled to make several-course meals, bring extra side dishes, or cook with the intent of giving out leftovers…,
Reusable dishware and to-go containers—Single-use dishes, plastic utensils, paper napkins, and to-go containers create a ton of waste. Opt for…,
Cooking and energy conservation—Reduce energy use by cooking several dishes that require the same oven temperature all together. Use appropriately…
In Texas, we are no strangers to natural disasters.
From hurricanes to wildfires, we’ve seen them all and know that they're a part of living in our beautiful and unpredictable state. However, Texans…, Natural disasters pose threats to not only Texans but our economy, our homes, and our regional infrastructure. To better understand TCEQ’s role with…, Texas has experienced its fair share of natural disasters, some of which we have experienced in our own lifetimes. When asked about the most common…, A key component of disaster preparedness is resilience, which is the ability of a community to recover after a disaster, as well as mitigate the…, Kelly had a poignant example of resilience: his sister’s neighborhood in Houston. After experiencing flooding during Hurricane Harvey, the residents…, Kelly has advice on how the average Texan can help reduce their risk from natural disasters. “Have a family plan for disasters. Also, make sure…
A college education is vital to becoming an air investigator, says TCEQ Air investigator Fredrick Lacy, but a sense of humor doesn’t hurt either. On…
Fredrick is one of many investigators at TCEQ who keeps the environment healthy for all of us. We’re celebrating Children’s Environmental Health Day…, I am an environmental investigator and work leader for the Region 5 Tyler Air program.
, My day-to-day activities include supervising the work of others, responding to citizens, talking to regulated industry, and reviewing technical…, As you know, clean air is part of TCEQ’s mission statement and is the basis for what I do daily. Working with industry and holding them accountable…, The variety of the job is my favorite aspect of it. Coming in each day can be an adventure due to not knowing what new surprises await you. One…, I served in the United States Army for four years as a Nuclear Biological Chemical Resonance Specialist (NBCRS). I have a Bachelor’s in Industrial…, I get this question quite often. I would say individuals who welcome a challenge, have an inquisitive nature, are not afraid to grow, and have a…, One of the most memorable things I’ve encountered was while conducting an inspection at a large facility in our region. This was my first solo on-…, One of the best ways to help the air quality in Texas is to limit the amount of time your vehicle idles. I know it seems like a small thing, but it…, Air quality impact on children’s health is a top priority for TCEQ. The agency provides free e-mail alerts for the Today's Texas Air…
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.
Are you tired of the junk mail madness? How much paper is being wasted? What can you do about it?
According to the US Postal Service , Americans received over 66 billion pieces of marketing mail in 2021 alone. Much of that paper ends up in…, If you’re receiving junk mail and want to opt out, here are some resources to help you do that:
Opt-Out Prescreen Service — Easily opt out of…, Your personal information is a desired commodity for marketers and even scammers. Here are some quick tips to help:
Go green with paperless options…, The paper mail you throw away likely goes to your local landfills, unless it’s recyclable where you live. Junk mail is such an issue that many cities…
Sarah Whitley dodges alligators and explores forgotten underwater cities. Her job is largely an adventure, with a dose of danger every now and then.…
We’re celebrating World Water Monitoring Day by speaking with Sarah to find out more about the vital and exciting work she does at TCEQ.
, I am an aquatic scientist in the Surface Water Quality Monitoring (SWQM) program.
, A large part of this job is preparing and assessing surface water quality data as part of the Clean Water Act sections 303(d) and 305(b). We also…, A large part of this job is preparing and assessing surface water quality data as part of the Clean Water Act sections 303(d) and 305(b). We also…, I have a bachelor’s degree in biology with an emphasis in marine science and a master’s degree in environmental science with focus on fish community…, Although it can be exhausting to wear so many different hats and keep track of various projects, I really enjoy the variety of my job. We can be…, Aside from sampling in waters with alligators–which was shocking since we initially didn’t know they were visiting–my very first field event on the…, Anyone with a passion for science, constant curiosity, and a determination to improve water quality and aquatic life would do well as an aquatic…
SepticSmart Week is an annual event focused on helping people learn about the proper care and maintenance of their septic systems.
Taking care of your septic system is not only good for the environment, it could also save you a lot of money. A properly maintained system helps…, Septic systems, which generally consist of a septic tank and drainfield, are underground wastewater treatment structures commonly used in rural areas…, If the drainfield is overloaded with too much liquid, it will flood, causing sewage to flow to the surface of the ground or create backups in toilets…, Conserve Water
Using less water will decrease the workload on your septic tank. Repair leaks and use water-efficient fixtures to avoid overloading…, Guard Your Drain
Avoid pouring toxins down the drain. They can kill the living organisms in your septic tank and harm your septic system.
Use a…, Take Care of Your Drainfield
Maintain plants and vegetation that are near your system to ensure roots do not block drains.
Park cars and heavy…, Follow Proper Maintenance Procedures
Have your septic system inspected by a qualified professional every three years, in general.
Work with a…
RPS is our featured Proud Partner this autumn!
RPS joined Proud Partners in July 2020 and reached out to us on the Share Your Story page about their efforts. I spoke with RPS’ Senior…, A: The Infrastructure Division of RPS is a Texas-based civil engineering firm with an emphasis on public works and infrastructure projects. For 35…, A: With an interest in sustainability both personally and professionally, I have followed information put out by Take Care of Texas for years. RPS…, A: We care about our people, our clients, and the community as a whole. We recognize that for the people we care about to thrive, they…, A: Many of these initiatives save the company money. Recruits and clients often find our passion for sustainability attractive to work with. It also…, A: Don’t be afraid to start small. Implementing practices that achieve the goal of Taking Care of Texas can take time. With the right initiatives and…