Outdoor Education for Students in Orange County, California | Inside the Outdoors

 Source - Spectrum News 1

The Orange County Department of Education's innovative Inside the Outdoors program is providing students with hands-on environmental education in the great outdoors. For an impressive five decades, this acclaimed program has been connecting kids across Orange County with the wonders of nature, teaching them about the environment through fun, engaging experiences that bring classroom lessons to life. By blending traditional instruction with immersive outdoor activities, Inside the Outdoors helps students develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the natural world around them.

2026 Texas Surface Water Quality Standards (SWQS) Revision - Understanding the Changes | Sierra Club

Photo By Ken Hulsey - Advanced Environmental Compliance

The 2026 Revision of Texas' Surface Water Quality Standards (SWQS) is a crucial process that will shape the future of our precious water resources. Last summer, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) kicked off this multi-year undertaking, aiming to update and strengthen the standards that protect the quality of our rivers, lakes, bays, and estuaries. This complex but vital effort will ensure clean, healthy water for drinking, recreation, and supporting aquatic life and wildlife.

Lift with Caution: Keeping Your Back Safe On and Off the Job | Advanced Environmental Compliance

 Keeping your back safe and healthy is crucial both on and off the job. Whether you work in an office, on a construction site, or anywhere in between, taking some simple steps can help prevent painful and debilitating back injuries. Maintaining good posture is key - avoid slouching or hunching over, especially if you sit for long periods. Take regular breaks to stand up, stretch, and move around. If your job involves lifting, be sure to lift with your legs, not your back. Squat down and keep the object close to your body as you lift. For heavier loads, don't be afraid to ask a coworker for help. Staying fit with regular exercise that includes both cardio and strength training can also help keep your back muscles strong and resilient. And finally, listen to your body. If something doesn't feel right or you experience any pain, stop what you're doing and take a break or get help. A little prevention can go a long way in avoiding serious back problems that can interfere with both your work and personal life. Your back supports you day in and day out, so give it the care and attention it deserves!

Environmental Reporting Chatbot Prototype | Texas A&M Superfund Center Develops MyEcoReporter

By Courtney Price, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (Press Release)

Researchers at the Texas A&M Superfund Research Center are exploring the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for engagement with communities. They have created an AI chatbot prototype called MyEcoReporter for reporting environmental concerns, making it easier for individuals and community organizations to alert authorities about potential dangers.

Recycling Sewage Sludge | Transforming Waste into Farmland Fertilizer | Eco-Friendly Solutions

From the Associated Press by Joshua A. Bickel

What goes down your toilet can end up on farm fields across the United States.

Biosolids, or sewage sludge, are the solid byproducts of the wastewater treatment process. Rich in nutrients, they can be used as fertilizer on agricultural fields or compost on lawns.

But the process for producing these materials can vary greatly, and some unwanted things can end up in those biosolids. A recent study released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency suggested that human health risks associated with toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) were elevated in some places where sludge was applied to farm fields.

The amount of these “forever chemicals” that could end up in biosolids depends on how much were in the water coming into the plant.

“They are very widespread,” said Carsten Prasse, an assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University who studies biosolids. But they're not in all biosolids and sometimes it's only in small amounts, he added.

Be Safe Drive Smart | Protecting Pedestrians and Bicyclists on Texas Roads | Texas Department of Transportation

 From the Texas Department of Transportation 

AUSTIN – On his 10th birthday in 2020, Victor Peterzen received a brand-new bicycle. Just three months later, his life was tragically cut short in a crash while riding his bike through his northwest Houston neighborhood.

University of New Mexico Spearheads Shortline Railroad Safety Research

Photo By Ken Hulsey - Advanced Environmental Compliance

 From the University of New Mexico (Press Release)

Railroads may bring to mind images of the Old West and the Industrial Revolution, but researchers at The University of New Mexico School of Engineering are working to bring new, cutting-edge technologies to even the smallest and most remote railroad systems as part of a national center led by Penn State University and funded by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).