EarthShare Texas supports 35 environmental nonprofits throughout Texas that create collective impact across a multitude of environmental causes. We want all Texans to be an agent of these causes in their everyday lives.
With New Year’s around the corner, here are 8 environmental resolutions that align with the missions and work of our nonprofits.
1. Water Resources
Water is sacred. We can treat water as such by how we utilize and take care of it.
This upcoming year:
- If you notice pollution, make a formal environmental complaint with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
- Purchase or create a rain barrel (and sign up for Galveston Bay Foundation’s Rain Barrel Workshop)
- Help the Hill Country by signing Save Barton Creek Association’s No Dumping Sewage petition.
2. Land Conservation
No matter if you live in North, South, East, or West Texas: the land is our livelihood.
Here’s a few ways you can be in partnership with the land:
- Participate in or start a community garden (click this Sustainable Food Center resource for more information)
- Adopt and plant a tree in/for your neighborhood, thanks to TreeFolks NeighborWoods Program.
- If you own land, opt in for a Conservation Easement with an environmental nonprofit (like our member Guadalupe-Blanco River Trust).
3. Environmental Education
Knowing the environmental causes and concerns in your area is important to take first steps.
Below are events and resources providing access to environmental education you can enjoy:
- Attend Blackland Prairie Raptor Center’s First/Third Saturday events to learn about birds of prey (and meet the feathery friends they rehabilitate)
- Learn from the pros with these How-To’s by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Sign up for the EarthShare Texas Newsletter and read from our EarthShare Texas Library.
4. Advocacy and Environmental Justice
The current climate crisis is placing all species at extreme risk. It’s up to human beings to unite and take action against the ongoing exploitation, destruction, and extinction of all ecosystems.
In 2023, we all can:
- Sign petitions (like there’s no tomorrow) with Public Citizen
- Write letters to legislators utilizing this Keep Texas Beautiful advocacy guide
- Participate in your local protests!
Click this link to see who represents your interests.
5. Infrastructure and Sustainable Design
Urban development is on the rise. The population of Texas is increasing. This gives “developers” the opportunity to integrate nature alongside their projects.
Unfortunately, nature is not being replenished at the rate it is being uprooted. What can we do?:
- Switch to solar energy.
- Volunteer with organizations working towards sustainable or green infrastructure (such as our member Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems)
6. Parks and Public Space
These spaces are special for so many. Let’s leave no trace so all species can enjoy these spaces as we do.
Some 2023 resolutions are:
- Become a member of a nonprofit, like Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation
- Adopt-A-Highway, or even Adopt-A-Beach
- Join your community for It’s My Park Day 2023 on Saturday March 4th!
7. Wildlife
We can’t sugarcoat this: the World Wildlife Fund’s 2022 Living Planet Report “shows an average 69% decline in the relative abundance of monitored wildlife worldwide” in only fifty years time.
Three ways to help our animal family are:
- Adopt-A-Bat with Bat Conservation International – and help end bat extinctions worldwide
- If you find an animal in need of assistance, call a Rescue Hotline (830-336-2725 – Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation Hotline)
- Begin a career in the environmental or nonprofit space.
8. Support EarthShare Texas
By supporting EarthShare Texas, you help create collective impact across Texas for all of these environmental causes.
This upcoming year, why not:
- Donate to further protect and prosper Texas and all its inhabitants
- Join our community when you sign up for our newsletter
- Participate in our largest sustainability challenge next Earth Month: #MyEarthMyTexas!
For more environmental engagement with us or our members, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Tiktok. And if you need a stocking stuffer: check out our merchandise. Enjoy 2023 eco-enthusiasts.
