What do zebra mussels, alligator weed, hydrilla, lionfish, and giant salvinia have in common?
These plants and animals are all considered invasive aquatic species. Without the predators, parasites, and diseases that control their numbers in their native ecosystems, these species can reproduce and spread at an amazing pace, oftentimes at the expense of Texas’ valuable native plants, fish, and animals.
Exotics often travel from one water body to another by "hitching a ride" on a watercraft. To curb the spread of invasive species, boaters in Texas are required by law to remove harmful plants and animals from boats and trailers before leaving the vicinity of a lake, river, or bay. Learn how to properly clean your recreational equipment.
Find
more information about the many invasive species that pose a threat in Texas,
where they're found, and how you can help Take
Care of Texas waters.
 With spring on the horizon and your list of cleaning and home improvement
projects expanding, you may begin to notice how much space your paint,
chemicals, and yard products take up in the garage and under the sink. Overstocked kitchen and
garage cabinets could present a hazard and will eventually have to be cleaned
out. Here are some tips to help you safely manage potentially hazardous
products and help Take Care of Texas:
- For
painting projects, know the size of your area and use an online paint
calculator to determine how many gallons you should buy. Use it up! Buying in
bulk may not save you money if it is only partially used.
- Practice reuse: for products in good condition, pass along to a friend or neighbor who
may be able to use them.
- Consider
less-toxic alternatives for your home and garden chemicals.
-
Find
a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)
program or
collection available in your community.
For
general inquiries or questions about the program, contact the HHW Program
Coordinator at 512-239-3143 or e-mail: <recycle@tceq.texas.gov>.
|
Event Highlights
March 7
The Rio Grande Valley Water Awareness Summit invites you to the McAllen Convention Center on March 7, 2014. Attendance is free and seating is limited — register today!
|
 March 9 – 15
For two decades, National Groundwater Awareness Week has spotlighted an important resource — groundwater. Groundwater is found underground in the cracks and spaces in soil, sand, and rock. In Texas, groundwater supplies 60 percent of all freshwater used by the state and 80 percent of the water used for agriculture. Take Care of Texas by protecting this vital resource.
|
 Fix a Leak Week
March 17 - 23
Nationwide, more than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from U.S. homes each year. The average household's leaks can account for more than 10,000 gallons of water wasted every year, or the amount of water needed to wash 270 loads of laundry. Do your part to conserve water—find easy tips to check for and fix leaks.
|
May 6th - 7th
 Don't miss this year's Environmental Trade Fair & Conference! Visit the Trade Fair Web page to register and for more information.
|
|
