Environmental

The North Central Texas Council of Government’s (NCTCOG) Air North Texas division is reminding parents and caregivers to think about the poor air quality that can come with high heat, especially ozone pollution, and to plan ahead when thinking about school pick-ups and drop-offs.

In this virtual “Texas Smartscape®” event sponsored by Dallas Water Utilities, learn how to determine your sprinkler system’s optimal run-time by conducting a simple catch can test, and how to operate your controller to cycle and soak to better and more accurately apply water to your home landscape.

Volunteers from the Richardson Bicycle Coalition cleaned up trash in Galatyn Nature Preserve last weekend, as part of the City’s Community & Corporate Environmental Cleanup Program. The group, assisted by members from Richardson “Pickup and Pints” Community Cleanup, filled several large bags with trash and recyclables.

Public Services staff provided an update to the City Council at Monday’s City Council meeting regarding actions taken in response to the water system pressure loss that occurred on Nov. 6, 2024, that resulted in a Boil Water Notice being issued.

In light of recent high temperatures, Richardson Parks and Recreation staff want to remind the public that all of the City’s parks are open in the evenings until 10:30 p.m., with several offering lighted amenities such as the following:  

Did you know that Texas has more child deaths due to heatstroke in a car than any other state? On a 90-degree day, the inside temperature of a car can increase to 109 degrees in 10 minutes and to 124 degrees in 30 minutes. Add to that the fact that kids’ bodies heat up 3-5 times faster than adult bodies, and the heat effects are increased.

Take a guided tour of the facility that processes Richardson’s recyclables, Republic Services in Plano. The tour is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the recycling process, from material collection to sorting and processing, demonstrating the critical role recycling plays in environmental sustainability. Space is limited; sign up today! 

Abundant rain and flooding over the past several weeks, paired with the near triple-digit weather that appears to be setting in, is providing lots of potential to have more breeding grounds for all types of mosquitoes, increasing the chances of mosquito-borne disease for both pets and people.

Celebrate National Moth Week and the beauty and value of moths, with an unforgettable night of discovery! Enjoy a presentation by Texas Parks & Wildlife Urban Biologist Sam Kieschnick and the chance to observe a kaleidoscope of moths after dark using light traps.