Current Information & Events

Internet Resources

by Elaine Cearley

At our July meeting suggestions were made for what you would like to see included in our newsletter. Among those suggestions were requests for resources relating to ecology, environment and endangered species. After doing a little searching I have found some information to report.

Endangered Species

Endangered Species Program, U.S. Fish and Wildlife: http://endangered.fws.gov/ There were no species listed for Caldwell County; bald eagle and Houston Toad were listed for Bastrop County.

Within that site are listings for the Southwest Region Ecological Services, headquartered in Austin: http://ifw2es.fws.gov/AustinTexas/ . On the left side of the page click on "species" there you will find a list of 75 animal and 33 plant endangered species for Texas.

Endangered Species of the Edwards Aquifer System: http://www.edwardsaquifer.net/species.html .This site offers a concise list of Hill Country endangered species with nice photos and descriptions.

Environment and Ecology

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality: http://www.tceq.state.tx.us/. In the blue box on the right click on "air", "water", or "waste". The "waste" link goes to a TNRCC page listing all kinds of waste and how to deal with it (recycling). The "air" link goes to a full page covering just about everything you may want to know about air quality, monitoring, citizen involvement and much more. The same is true for the "water" link.

What can we do in our own lives, in our own homes to save the environment? This list/theme is repeated in many sites. Here is one with a concise list all on one page of 50 ways we help save our environment: http://www.justgive.org/html/guide/50waysenvironment.html

More on Recycling

Texas Natural Resource Commission at http://www.tnrcc.state.tx.us/exec/oppr/ct2000/hotline.html has a page on which you can put in your zip code and it will list for you the nearest recycling centers for all kinds of waste.

Lockhart has a recycling center at 110 N. Brazos St. This center accepts #1 and 2 plastics; brown, clear, and green glass; newspaper; tin cans; do-it-yourselfers used oil. They also accept computer paper, but it is kept inside the building. You can drop off your items and they can be sorted by the man who works there. Or place items in the clearly marked bins. For more information contact the Public Works Dept. at 512-398-6452.

In Smithville across from Brookshires, there is an unmanned recycling center owned by the City of Smithville. City and county residents can use it. They accept newspaper, cardboard, metal, aluminum, plastic drink bottles, waste oil.

Bastrop: Recycling Options is located at 217 Pershing (N. on 95, 1st street past correctional center, turn right). They accept cardboard, newspaper, computer paper, junk mail, #1 and 2 plastic bottles, aluminum cans (which they purchase). They do not accept other kinds of metal or glass. There is a bin for after hours dropoff.

There may be other centers we don't know about, so please email us if you have further information. I was told by the Public Works Dept. in Lockhart that there is not a recycling center in Luling since the old one burned.

Our excuses have been shattered. We have no reason not to recycle.

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