Texas Hill Country Vegetation

Dave's Garden (or the Plants Database) is a wonderful resource for people who want to look up plants all over the world. For the Texas Hill Country, Jeff Beck has made outstanding contributions to the photo files. Here's a link to his work. If you have seen a plant in San Antonio or Hill Country and wish to find out what it is, scroll through Jeff's pictures; you're likely to find what you're looking for.

Jeff's pictures

Green home, green wallet

CPS energy and SAWS offer a variety of rebates that help your green decisions save money. CPS rebate information is available here: CPS Rebates CPS also offers a nifty energy consumption
simulator you can use to see how changes in your habits affect your bill: Energy Calculator SAWS rebate information is available here: SAWS Rebates

Environmental hazards on your property

If you’re getting ready to buy a property, don’t overlook the possible environmental problems it might have. If you buy a property that has been contaminated with hazardous/toxic materials, you’re also buying those materials and you may have to clean up the site even though you’re not responsible for the contamination. Remediation is expensive. When you purchase a property, ask about the following (this is by no means a complete list, and I only mention some common issues):
· Lead—used in paint before 1978. It was banned in 1978; a lead-based paint addendum is required for contracts on properties built before 1978; do not inhale lead dust or ingest paint;
· Radon—a natural radioactive gas that occurs naturally; it’s emitted from the ground. It can become trapped in homes, which it enters from basements, cracks in slabs, and other openings. It’s the second leading cause of lung cancer in America, according to the EPA;
· UFFI (Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation)—has not been used since 1980;
· Toxic mold could be present in homes that have been water-damaged.
· Asbestos—heat-resistant mineral used in shingles, ceiling tiles, flooring, exterior siding; do not inhale asbestos dust;
· Water quality – if you’re going to drill a well, consider water quality. How will the water taste and smell? Is it contaminated?
· Dumped or buried wastes that could be toxic
· Oak Wilt—a fungus that kills several varieties of oaks. Will be featured in our February issue.

If you have reasons to worry about the problems mentioned above or have any other environmental concerns, please consult an expert in the field. Not doing so could be costly both to your health and to your wallet. For more information, the EPA’s website is an excellent resource. Use the following link to reach the site: www.epa.gov

Who are the polluters in your neighborhood?

Find out through this website: http://www.scorecard.org/ The EPA also allows the public to find information about polluters in their area.