Texas leads all other states in the loss of rural farming and ranching lands.
One of the top five reasons motivating companies to locate their offices in Central Texas is the area’s beautiful landscape. As Central Texas cities grow, our natural landscape becomes increasingly threatened by suburbanization, rural development, and land fragmentation. These changes in land use impact our urban areas, rural economies, agricultural security, and the conservation of natural resources.
Preservation of open space, green space and rural land also preserves species of local plants and animals. The Hill Country Conservancy works to preserve the natural beauty and open spaces of the Hill Country. The Nature Conservancy is also very active with land and natural resource conservation in the Hill Country. These agencies collaborate on efforts to safeguard fresh water resources, protect the habitat of endangered species, and work with wildlife co-ops to address over-population of certain species.
Surface water from the Colorado River is by far the largest source of water supply for Travis County residents.
The Colorado River runs directly through the heart of Austin. It literally touches our lives most days as we drive over it, run around it, swim or canoe in it. You may be surprised to know the Colorado River is also the source of water for three-fourths of all Travis County residents. We depend on the river for industrial production, municipal use, farming and ranching, electrical power generation and a thriving tourism industry, as well.
The Colorado River Foundation promotes the protection and stewardship of the Colorado River from the Hill Country to Matagorda Bay. The foundation also funds opportunities for at-risk kids to participate in LCRA programs such as “Kids on the Colorado” at McKinney Roughs, where children learn about our ecosystem and how to protect it. In 2009, the foundation will move into the new Red Bud Park building, which will have a four-acre park replicating the complete Highland Lakes systems for all Texas children to visit.
The Town Lake Trail Foundation's “Healthy Trees for the Trail” program helps improve habitat along the river's urban woodlands through restoration, invasive plant removal and progressive management practices.
On average, Texans generate about seven pounds of garbage everyday
Texans spend over $1 billion annually for solid waste disposal services for over 22 million tons of garbage. Most go into landfills. Toxic materials from electronic waste, batteries, paint or household cleaners can leach out of landfills and make their way down into the groundwater. In addition, many landfills in Texas are located near creeks, rivers or lakes. The two landfills in Northeast Travis County, for instance, sit adjacent to a creek that runs directly into Decker Lake.
By recycling paper, metal, plastic, and other materials, you can reduce waste, help conserve energy, extend the life of our landfills and preserve our state’s natural resources. Recycling also strengthens the Texas economy - the recycling industry in Texas employs 20,000 workers and adds $2.9 billion in value to the Texas Economy.
The Texas Campaign for the Environment is a grass roots advocacy initiative, working to raise awareness of the connection between landfills, trash, composting and recycling. Ecology Action is also on a mission to educate and empower people to create a more livable world by reducing waste, reusing materials and recycling whenever possible.
To find out more about the Central Texas environment and how you can help those working to protect it, go to www.ilivehereigivehere.org.
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