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May is National Bike Month and May 13-17, 2013 is Bike to Work Week. The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey shows that number of Americans commuting by bike has increased by 47 percent since 2000.  Hitting the road on two wheels has benefits for your health and the environment. Studies have shown that adults [...]

This is the time of year when migratory birds are on the move!  Migratory birds are traveling from their wintering grounds in Mexico, Central and South America to the U.S. and Canada, where they feast on abundant insects and plant foods during spring and summer.  How do they know when to leave and where to [...]

Spring is the perfect time to give your home cooling equipment a check-up. Fixing any problems now will help you avoid air-conditioning problems when hot weather arrives for good.  And, well-maintained air conditioning systems cool more efficiently, saving energy and money. Viewer Tip: You can perform a cooling system check-up yourself or ask a professional [...]

The average American household wastes more than 10,000 gallons of water every year from easy-to-fix household leaks – that’s the amount of water it takes to wash 270 loads of laundry.  Nationwide, that adds up to more than one trillion gallons of water wasted per year! Viewer tip: During Fix a Leak Week, March 18-24, [...]

March 18-22 is the National Weather Service’s Flood Safety Awareness Week. Flooding occurs from coast to coast at all times of the year – and there are many factors that contribute to flooding events. Snowmelt Flooding: When snow begins to melt, flooding can occur if the amount of snowmelt exceeds the capacity for soils and [...]

How much hazardous waste does the average American household accumulate in one year? The typical home accumulates over 20 pounds of household hazardous waste in just one year! Think of paints, pesticides, cleaning supplies, oil, antifreeze and other products that hide away in the basement, garage or shed. These products may contain corrosive, toxic or [...]

Are you ready for the kinds of severe weather that could impact the area where you live? National Severe Weather Preparedness Week takes place from March 3-9, 2013. This is a great time for you and your family to “Be a Force of Nature” by learning the importance of planning for severe weather events and [...]

A winter with heavy snow or rain and many cycles of freezing and thawing can mean lots of potholes in the spring. Why does this happen? Water from melting snow and ice seeps into pavement and the sub-material between pavement and the soil below.  When repeated spells of cold weather occur, the water in the [...]

A study by the New York Botanical Garden found that 50 species of native plants have disappeared from that metro area in the past century. In California, a 2008 study by the University of California-Berkeley and Duke University found that two-thirds of the state’s native plants will lose most of their range in the future. [...]

Over 65 percent of the contiguous United States is experience abnormally dry or drought conditions. Conserving water at home can help! If you want to save water but don’t have the budget for a bathroom makeover or landscaping redesign, follow these steps to stop pouring money down the drain. Trash your tissues. Don’t flush them—one [...]

The 2013 Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) takes place from Friday, February 15 through Monday, February 18. Each year, volunteers across the country tally the birds they see in backyards, parks and natural areas. Last year, GBBC participants racked up more than 17 million observations and identified 623 species! Counting birds during GBBC helps scientists [...]

During the winter months, salt and sand applied to our roads, driveways and sidewalks contribute to lake and stream pollution. Fifty pounds of salt – one large bag – can pollute 10,000 gallons of water.  That’s equivalent to one teaspoon of salt in a five-gallon bucket of water. Viewer Tip: Many cities and states are [...]

Move over, Punxsutawney Phil.  Groundhogs aren’t the only animals who are known to “predict” the weather.  Phil may be the most famous, but he’s certainly not the most accurate.  Here are four animals that are known for their weather wisdom.  Some of these proverbs are true, while others are not.  Can you guess which ones [...]

Don’t let a drop in outdoor temperatures mean a drop in your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.  According to AAA, tires lose about one pound of pressure with every 10 degree drop in temperature during cold weather (the opposite is true during warm weather). Under-inflated tires decrease fuel efficiency, adding up to more than one billion gallons [...]

Trees are best planted in cool weather, when they are dormant.  In Texas particularly, that gives them a chance to root before hot days arrive in the spring.  The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center puts trees center stage at Tree Talk Winter Walk on January 26. Viewer Tip: Tree Talk Winter walk features experts who [...]

The distinctive smell of wood smoke is a sign of the heating season. It may smell good, but wood smoke can impact indoor air quality and your health. Smoke is a mixture of tiny particles and gases produced when wood burns – the fine particles can get into your eyes and lungs, where they may [...]

Because we generally use less water at this time of year, in most climates winter is a good time to check your water use to determine if you have silent plumbing leaks that could be wasting water. Viewer Tip: Check for leaks by looking over your water bill. If a family of four uses more [...]

Are you resolving to save money in 2013? These tools can help you lower bills by saving energy, water and fuel at home and on the road.  Added bonus: you’ll help the environment, too. Save Energy: The Energy Star Home Advisor provides customized home improvement recommendations to help you increase energy efficiency and comfort where [...]

If a harbinger of spring would boost your spirits this winter, take a look in parks and other native landscapes for wildflower rosettes. Many wildflowers get a head start on their spring growth by overwintering as a cluster of leaves hugging the ground.  The side-by-side position of rosette leaves maximizes sun exposure.  The leaves’ low [...]

For every two minutes a car idles, it uses about the same amount of fuel it takes to drive one mile. While it may be tempting to idle your car for a few minutes to “warm it up” during winter, 30 seconds is plenty of time to get going. Tailpipe emissions from cars contain pollutants [...]