# data[].attributes.body
We have the power to make smarter choices every day that can reduce our impact on the environment. First, don't litter! Research shows that people are more likely to litter in a place that already has litter, and conversely less likely to litter in a clean environment (5). Lead by example and make sure you put your waste where it belongs, and not on the side of the road. How can we prevent others from littering?

# data[].attributes.body
Reduce the amount of waste getting sent to the landfill by knowing how to best sort it! Click the link below to test your waste management skills.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Learn about Zero Waste in a fun way with our brand new The Quest for Zero Waste material sorting game. Sort materials correctly and win fun items for your own digital park!

# data[].attributes.body
Recycling! Recycling can help reduce the amount of waste we put into our landfills, and provide new life for already existing materials. Compared to the creation of new materials, recycling can have ten to twenty times the environmental benefit (10). Knowing what and how to recycle can be tricky, so follow the link below for a breakdown and some simple guidelines.

# data[].attributes.body
While recycling has many benefits, it can also lure us into a false sense of environmental stewardship. Inappropriate practices, including leaving food residue or contributing items that can't be recycled, leads to contamination at municipal facilities (11). Due to the time and financial cost involved with separating out contaminated items, most recycling facilities will pull entire bundles and send them to the landfill (10). This means that many high value items that could normally be recycled end up missing their chance at a continued life (12). Recycling can be great, but we should do our part to reduce contamination and ensure a continued future for our waste.

# data[].attributes.body
Use less! Many of our "disposable" items, including single-use plastics like grocery bags and utensils, can easily be replaced with reusable alternatives. Providing our own and saying "no" to single-use items is a great way to reduce our impact on the environment. Recent trends in sustainable lifestyles have led to a huge increase in plastic free options, and we can further reduce our carbon footprint by purchasing them locally.

# data[].attributes.body
Need help figuring out how to kick your single-use plastic habits? Discover just how easy it is by joining the Dallas Zoo's Plastic Free Ecochallenge! Learn the importance of lifestyle changes, get inspired by new solutions, and be encouraged by others who are creating a better world for animals, just like you! Learn more by clicking the link below!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Congrats to all teams on their effort and impact! For more inspiration and impact, see the Event Summary.

Inspired by the Australian-founded initiative, our Plastic Free EcoChallenge is a 31-day, global challenge to reduce and refuse single-use plastics. We invite you to create intention and take action on creating plastic-free habits with us!

Throughout the EcoChallenge, share your progress, success, and reflections with fellow EcoChallengers, all while earning points for completed actions. The combination of collective inspiration, camaraderie, and friendly competition makes change a little easier - and a lot more fun. After all, progress is social!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Join the movement to refuse single-use plastics with Plastic Free EcoChallenge!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Congrats to all teams on their effort and impact! For more inspiration and impact, see the Event Summary. Inspired by the Australian-founded initiative, our Plastic Free EcoChallenge is a 31-day, global challenge to reduce and refuse single-use plastics. We invite you to create intention and take action on creating plastic-free habits with us!

# data[].attributes.body
1. United States Census Bureau. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography.html
2. Vicars-Groening, J. & Williams, H.F.L. (2007). Impact of urbanization on storm response of White Rock Creek, Dallas, TX. Environmental Geology, 51(7), 1263-1269.
3. Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. (2019). Municipal Solid Waste in Texas: A Year in Review. https://www.tceq.texas.gov/assets/public/comm_exec/pubs/as/187-19.pdf
4. Conserve Energy Future. (2020). What is littering? https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/causes-problems-solutions-littering.php
5. Keep Tennessee Beautiful. (2020). Who litters and why people litter? http://www.keeptnbeautiful.org/litter-prevention/who-litters-and-why-people-litter/
6. Texas Department of Transportation. (2020). Don’t Mess With Texas. http://dontmesswithtexas.org/
7. Barnes, D.K.A. & Milner, P. (2005). Drifting plastic and its consequences for sessile organism dispersal in the Atlantic Ocean. Marine Biology, 146(4), 815-825. doi: 10.1007/s—227-004-1474-
8. Derraik, J. G. (2002). The pollution of the marine environment by plastic debris: a review. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 44(9), 842–852. doi: 10.1016/s0025-326x(02)00220-5
9. United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2018). Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/
10. Morawksi, C. (2009). Understanding economic and environmental impacts of single-stream collection systems. Container Recycling Institute. http://www.container-recycling.org/assets/pdfs/reports/2009-SingleStream.pdf
11. Marshall, C., & Bandhauer, K. (2017). The heavy toll of contamination. Recycling Today, May 2017, 50-51.
12. Fyffe, J. R., Breckel, A. C., Townsend, A. K., & Webber, M. E. (2016). Use of MRF residue as alternative fuel in cement production. Waste Management, 47, 276–284. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2015.05.038

# data[].attributes.headline
How do you help reduce litter in Dallas?

# data[].attributes.subject
How do you help reduce litter in Dallas?

# data[].attributes.body
Have a great solution to your own personal waste contributions? Seen something awesome in your community that's helping keep Dallas clean? Planning your own eco-friendly event? Add a comment on any of the topics above, or post in the comments section below!

# data[].attributes.body
Reverse litter by getting involved with some of your local organizations who are helping revitalize Dallas communities!

# data[].attributes.body
Dallas is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, with over 2.63 million inhabitants throughout the city and suburbs (1). The expanding population has transformed Dallas from rural farmland in the 1960s to the expansive metropolitan community it is today (2). As a leader in technology, finance, and medicine, Dallas is projected to continued its pattern of extreme growth for the foreseeable future. What do you love about living in Dallas?

# data[].attributes.body
While there are many economic benefits to urbanization, this type of rapid development can have profound impacts on the local environment. In 2018, 37.84 million tons of trash were taken to Texas landfills, with the average Texan creating about 7.22lbs of trash each day (3). Larger populations create a larger amount of waste, and left unchecked this can cause irreparable damage.

# data[].attributes.body
Everyone has a different excuse, but a lot of it comes down to laziness or carelessness. If there isn't a convenient receptacle, most waste gets tossed aside immediately (4,5). Some people push the responsibility off on others, and assume someone else will clean up after them (4,5). Others are unaware of or unconcerned about the environmental impacts of littering (4,5). No matter the reason, litter is fast becoming an unavoidable issue.

# data[].attributes.body
-1 in 4 Texans reported having littered in the past year (6)
-Over 1.1 BILLION pieces of litter are on tossed on Texas highways every year (6)
-Litter clean-up costs the Texas Government (and local taxpayers) over $46 million annually (6)
-Have you seen someone litter recently? What were they disposing? Why do you think they chose to litter?

# data[].attributes.body
Research has shown that the largest accumulations of marine pollution are located in areas closest to or affiliated with urban populations, contributing to roughly 80% of the plastic debris (7,8). Dallas’s major waterways consist of man-made lakes and their affiliated creeks, most of which feed into the Trinity River and then to the Gulf of Mexico. Litter runs directly into our storm drains without any type of filter before sending excessive waste directly into these ecosystems. What impact do you think this has on our ecosystem? How does it affect native wildlife?

# data[].attributes.body
Litter is all around us, but there are multiple "hotspots" where trash seems to accumulate. Found one in your neighborhood or on your commute? Add it to our community map!

# data[].attributes.body
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has listed rivers that run through Dallas as impaired or unassessed (9), meaning that they are suffering from pollutants resulting from increased human populations. Marine debris from the city of Dallas isn't just unsightly, but can cause a huge issue for environments across the globe. Watch this short video to learn more about the impact of marine debris.

# data[].attributes.body
Join GroundWork Dallas to improve our natural surroundings!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Changing Places. Changing Lives. Volunteer

# data[].attributes.body
Team up with the Dallas Zoo Wild Earth Action team to restore habitats for native wildlife!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Saving Sea Turtles

Dallas Zoo's Wild Earth Action Team is on a mission to restore sea turtle habitats on South Padre Island, and YOU are invited to join!

Reserve Your Spot

Trip details

Together we'll restore nesting habitat through beach clean-up, host family-friendly programs on sea turtle conservation and ecology, and enjoy pizza dinner and exclusive after-hours access to Sea Turtle, Inc.'s new conservation center. We will observe night nest checks and, if we're lucky enough to have turtle hatchlings, we'll help with an early morning release and watch them wiggle into the sea as the sun rises over the Gulf. We wrap up with a dolphin watching eco-cruise through the Laguna Madre.

Host hotel: Isla Grand Beach Resort, South Padre
Fine Print: This expedition is for travelers ages 6 and up. Registration includes all programs, special tours, eco-cruise, and all meals on Saturday. Transportation and lodging are not included. Van transportation is available for $60/person.

Trip Details

Enjoy a weekend in Austin and San Antonio learning about bats and taking action to help them. We'll cruise Lady Bird Lake to toast the world's largest, urban, bat colony and witness the extraordinary emergence at Bracken Cave where 15 million Mexican free-tailed bats raise pups and set out each summer evening to feed. Together we will restore bat and other pollinator habitat.

Host hotel: TBD
Fine Print: This expedition is for travelers ages 6 and up. Registration includes all programs, special tours, eco-cruise, and all meals on Saturday. Transportation and lodging are not included. Van transportation is available for $60/person.
Contact us at SavingWildlife@DallasZoo.com for more information about any of our upcoming expeditions.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Wild Earth Action Team Expeditions | Dallas Zoo

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Dallas Zoo's Wild Earth Action Team is on a mission to restore sea turtle habitats on South Padre Island, and YOU are invited to join! Reserve Your Spot Together we'll restore nesting habitat through beach clean-up, host family-friendly programs on sea turtle conservation and ecology, and enjoy pizza dinner and exclusive after-hours access to Sea Turtle, Inc.'s new conservation center.

# data[].attributes.body
Take pride in our city by cleaning up our neighborhoods with Operation Beautification!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Operation Beautification (OPB) is an opportunity for community groups, faith-based organizations, youth groups, businesses and residents to build community pride and partnerships by coming together to clean up and beautify their neighborhoods.

Operation Beautification is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2020! Choose a beautification project for your neighborhood, gather your group and participate in the largest citywide community beautification event. Registration is required. Registration will open in February 2020. Visit this page in January 2020 for registration information.

Since 2012, over 2,500 volunteers have participated in past Operation Beautification cleanups and collected more than 185 tons of litter and brush. Participation in Operation Beautification is an easy, low-cost activity for neighbors of all ages to promote neighborhood pride. Volunteers enjoy tangible results with immediate impact. The City of Dallas supports registered OPB group efforts with free trash bags, safety vests and garden gloves on a first come first serve basis and free trash collection.

Questions or need more information, call Joe Yanez at 214.671.8900 or email joe.yanez@dallascityhall.com.

Click here for OPB Fall 2019 Report

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Operation Beautification (OPB) is an opportunity for community groups, faith-based organizations, youth groups, businesses and residents to build community pride and partnerships by coming together to clean up and beautify their neighborhoods. Operation Beautification is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, 2020!

# data[].attributes.body
Join For the Love of the Lake to keep White Rock Lake pristine!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
How You Can Help
Help us keep White Rock Lake Park beautiful! Join us on the Second Saturday of each month to pick up litter that has accumulated around the park. We provide all the supplies, so just come prepared to have some fun and collect tons of litter!

Your donations help us do even more! From sponsoring beautification projects to purchasing spruce-up supplies, your financial support is invaluable to the work we do.

COVID-19 Response

At For the Love of the Lake, we are following all County of Dallas, City of Dallas, and Park Department mandates regarding COVID-19. We support social distancing guidelines and we have cancelled the April 11 Second Saturday Shoreline Spruce Up event.

Please note, White Rock Lake Park is owned and governed by the City of Dallas and the Park and Recreation Department. If you have concerns about people who are not following mandated guidelines, please call 311 or contact the City of Dallas. For updates from the City of Dallas, visit https://dallascityhall.com/Pages/Corona-Virus.aspx. For updated information about access to public parks and park closings, visit https://www.dallasparks.org/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Coronavirus-COVID19-Impact-on-Dallas-Par-116.
Donate Today and Help Keep White Rock Lake Beautiful!
For the Love of the Lake and its volunteers preserve and enhance White Rock Lake Park. We rely on private donations to fund that work. In fact, 100 percent of the budget needed to keep the Park beautiful and vibrant comes from individual donors. As a donor to For the Love of the Lake, you are helping maintain this unique urban oasis.

For the Love of the Lake is dedicated to the preservation and enhancement of White Rock Lake Park as an urban oasis and to ensure those who enjoy White Rock Lake Park actively engage in service to maintain the environment for future generations.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
For the Love of the Lake We are a non-profit organization whose volunteers support programs to preserve and enhance White Rock Lake Park. We organize regular clean-up activities, tree planting events, and raise money needed to fund improvements to White Rock Lake Park. Find out More