Explore and Discover!

Want to get involved? Want some tips to prevent pollution? Want to explore the world around you? Want to participate in a program that helps protect the environment? Then you have come to the right place! In order to promote environmental awareness our citizens of Hidalgo County we commit to providing inspiration, knowledge, and participation as we learn together, work together, and join forces to protect our environment.

Below are some free tools and resources that can help you or your classroom learn about environmental issues. If you have an environmentally friendly site to share with us, please let us know.


EPA for Students, Teachers, and Parents

Resources for Educators (K-12)

AIRNow

World Water Monitoring Day March 22

Student Activity - Stormwater

Stormwater Quiz Show Game (2012) - Interactive teaching tool by NCTCOG.org to help educators teach students about various topics involving stormwater. The game is played much like the popular television show Jeopardy

Get Involved!

 
Take Care of Texas

EPA Border 2020

Valley Proud Environmental Council

Tips

Tips for Preventing Air Pollution

• Drive less. Combine trips, bus, carpool, bike or walk
• Fill your gas tank after 6:00 p.m.
• Avoid traffic congestion. Drive during off peak times or choose a less congested route
• Avoid burning leaves, trash, and other materials
• Keep car, boat, and other engines properly tuned
• Report smoking vehicles. Call (800)-453-SMOG (7664)
• Don't idle your car engine
• Avoid using gas powered mowers
• Don't use gas powered leaf blowers or string trimmers
• Avoid or delay applying pesticides and herbicides
• Conserve energy at home, at school, and at the office

Tips for Conserving Water

• Follow your local community's water restrictions
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth
• Turn off the water while washing dishes by hand
• Fix leaking toilets
• Fix leaking indoor and outdoor faucets
• If toilet flappers do not close, replace them
• Tell businesses about any leaking toilets and faucets
• Wash your car at an automatic car wash that recycles water
• Turn off the water while you soap during showers
• Don't waste water from refills at restaurants
• Position sprinklers so that water does not spray on the street
• Water lawns and plants after the sun sets
• Collect rain water and reuse the water for chores, plants, washing, etc.
• Install a pool cover to reduce evaporation
• Run the dishwasher only with full loads
• If you have a new dishwasher, cut back on rinsing.
• Consider upgrading old refrigerators, dish washers, clothes washers, and showerheads
• Turn the water off when you lather your hands with soap
• Use the water you are replacing from aquariums for plants
• Don't use running water to thaw foods. Defrost food with the refrigerator
• Adjust water heaters so less water is wasted while waiting for heated water
• SUPPORT PROJECTS THAT USE RECLAIMED WATER