We belive the following links provide good resources for those interested in the environment and beautification efforts. However, KMB is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse all of the content of any of these sites.
Brazos Beautiful - KMB's sister organization for the Bryan/College Station area
CigaretteLitter.Org - This is the website of an anti-litter group that, in their words, "focuses on cigarette butts, the leading form of litter in the world. Our mission is to educate the public about the negative effects of cigarette butt litter, from environmental damage, to fire danger, to the obvious aesthetic impact."
Don't Mess With Texas - The Texas Department of Transportation's award-winning beautification campaign has its own website
Keep America Beautiful - Learn what's going on across the nation in the arena of litter reduction, graffiti removal, waste reduction and beautification efforts. This site has several interesting spots to visit.
KABMan.org - Home of Keep America Beautiful's online PSA Campaign featuring “KAB Man” – a super hero for the masses, a tireless fighter for the environment, a crusader for beauty, and (really) just a regular guy who just happens to be able to fly.
Keep Texas Beautiful - A good resource for statewide events and activities.
Conservation/Recycling
Computer Recycling in Texas - A 2008 state law requires that computer manufacturers recycle desktop and laptop computers, monitors, and accompanying keyboard and mouse. Visit this TCEQ website for more information.
Educating Kids about Recycling - This site is dedicated to educating children on recycling. There are several games and activites to get you and your children involved. Learn a little magic, play some games and train to be a mega-superhero by recycling.
OurEarth.org, Inc. - This is a nonprofit environmental organization based in Baltimore, MD. The purpose of the OurEarth.org website is to raise awareness, educate the public, and ultimately make it easier for everyone to be environmentally responsible. Its website enables individuals, organizations, and communities from across the country to share environmental information and ideas.
The Center For A New American Dream - This is a not-for-profit membership-based organization that helps individuals and institutions reduce and shift consumption to enhance our quality of life and protect the environment.
The Cygnus Group - This is an environmental consulting firm whose website is "designed to provide ... information regarding the most efficient and effective ways to reduce waste and conserve resources. " The focus is on source reduction and reuse, rather than just recycling.
Midland College Faculty Senate Campus Recycling Program - Recycling on the MC campus is a joint effort among faculty, staff and students. Midland College recycles paper, plastics, cardboard, aluminum, and printer cartridges.
Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation - Everything you ever wanted to know about recycling rechargeable batteries...
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (formerly the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission) - Texas' primary environmental regulatory agency
Waterwiser.org - This is a great site for learning tips about water conservation. Sponsored by the American Waterworks Association. Be sure to check out their links page for additional resources and practical features like a drip calculator.
Gardening/Horticulture
TreeKeepers - KMB's own tree experts...
Texas Tree Planting Guide - From the experts at the Texas Forest Service, a series of visual how-tos covering everything from tree placement to planting to pruning.
Cornell Composting - If it's about composting and its not on this site provided by Cornell University, then it's probably just not that important!
The National Arbor Day Foundation - This website is dedicated to "helping people plant and care for trees."
SmartGardening.com - As part of its county-wide Yard Waste Program, the Los Angeles Department of Public Works has made "Smart Gardening" ideas and instruction easy to discover online. You can find instruction for backyard composting, worm composting and grass recycling. You can also find helpful information on how to implement water-wise gardening practices that conserve water and reduce waste.
Stephen F. Austin State University Arboretum - A beautiful resource for the plant-lover.
Texas Forest Service - A highly-recommend resource, both for the variety and depth of the information it presents.
For Children
Educating Kids about Recycling - This site is dedicated to educating children on recycling. There are several games and activites to get you and your children involved. Learn a little magic, play some games and train to be a mega-superhero by recycling.
Just for Kids - This is another online resource provided by Keep America Beautiful with tips for children about taking care of the environment.
EnergyHog - Learn how to be energy efficient at this fun website sponsored by The Alliance to Save Energy, Home Depot, the Ad Council and many others. (There's also a section of energy saving tips for adults.)
The Kids Page - The City of Fort Worth's Environmental Management Department has created a number of games, puzzles and other activities designed to teach children about recycling and other good environmental practices.
Miscellaneous
Take Action - This "microsite" is made available by Keep America Beautiful and is designed to promote individual responsibility and encourages youth to paint-up, fix-up, green-up and clean-up. It contains "how-to" information and best practices for a variety of fun activities for youth who want to make a positive difference in their community. It also includes a poll that allows teens a direct voice and an opportunity to tell their stories.
Midland Chamber of Commerce and Midland Convention and Visitors Bureau - OK, so these aren't technically environment- or beautification-related sites. But they do provide good information on Midland for newcomers, residents, visitors and businesses. And - after all - "Midland" IS our middle name!
Info & Links 