The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has opened its annual Take Care of Texas Video Contest, inviting students across the state to participate. The contest is available to public, private, and home-schooled students in grades six through twelve.
According to TCEQ, the competition aims to encourage students to learn about environmental protection and communicate their understanding through a short video. “Take Care of Texas is a statewide campaign from TCEQ that encourages all Texans to help keep our air and water clean, conserve water and energy, and reduce waste.”
Prizes include scholarships for three high school students ranging from $500 to $2,500. Middle school participants have the chance to win gift cards between $400 and $800 for camera equipment. Waste Management of Texas, Inc. is providing these awards.
Entries must be 30 seconds long and show positive actions Texans can take to protect air and water quality, save water and energy, or minimize waste. Each video should feature the slogan: “Take Care of Texas. It’s the only one we’ve got.” Details on entry requirements are listed on the video-contest requirements webpage.
The deadline for submissions is December 5, 2025. Public voting will take place from January 14 through January 24, 2026. After this period, a panel made up of TCEQ staff members and representatives from Waste Management of Texas, Inc., will select winners from among the finalists chosen by public vote. Winners will be announced by March 2, 2026.
First place winners will receive invitations to attend the annual Texas Environmental Excellence Awards banquet in June 2026.
Students interested in participating can view past winning videos at TakeCareofTexas.org.
