Don’t Mess with Texas: A Love Letter to Our State This February

February 1, 2025

February is a month synonymous with love, appreciation, and celebration. While Valentine’s Day takes center stage for many, there’s another way Texans can demonstrate their affection — by embracing the iconic Don’t mess with Texas anti-littering campaign. Founded in 1986, the Don’t mess with Texas call to action isn’t just about cleaning the litter on roads and highways — it’s about stopping litter before it starts. Don’t mess with Texas has also become a cultural statement that resonates with Texans’ fierce pride and love for their state.

Let’s dive into how adopting this ethos during February can show our deep-rooted affection for Texas while creating a cleaner, more beautiful environment.

A Symbol of Texas Pride Just like we honor our traditions, such as celebrating Texas Independence Day on March 2 or enjoying a hearty bowl of chili, keeping our state clean is another way to express our love. By picking up litter and encouraging others to do the same, we actively participate in preserving Texas’ natural beauty for ourselves and future generations. Whether it’s the rolling Hill Country, the piney woods of East Texas, the coastal beaches of the Rio Grande Valley, or the vast West Texas plains, each region holds a special place in our hearts.

February is a Month of Love and Responsibility

In February, we often express our love through gestures — flowers, chocolates, or heartfelt notes. But love isn’t just about words or gifts; it’s about actions. Showing love for Texas begins by keeping it clean and beautiful. It starts with a simple choice: don’t litter in the first place. Cleaning up is important, but what’s even more powerful? Preventing litter from happening at all. Here’s how you can help:

  • Hold onto your trash. Carry it with you until you find a bin.
  • Respect your surroundings. Every piece of litter damages a place we all share.
  • Be an example. Show others that you care by choosing not to litter.

If you do see litter, take action by picking up trash on a trail, organizing a community cleanup, or joining the Adopt-a-Highway program as a team with fellow like-minded Texans. Consider this month an opportunity to remind your community that littering isn’t just an environmental issue; it’s about respecting our shared home. Every piece of trash removed is a step towards preserving the landscapes that make Texas special.

Litter’s Impact on Our Environment

Littering isn’t just an eyesore — it has serious, and sometimes deadly, environmental consequences. 1.3 billion pieces of litter accumulate in Texas-maintained highways annually. Plastic waste, for example, can take hundreds of years to decompose, harming wildlife and polluting our waterways. Animals can get entangled in litter and become injured, sick, or suffocate. Litter can block plants from the sun and contaminate soil with toxins. By participating in anti-littering efforts, Texans contribute to a healthier ecosystem, ensuring future generations can enjoy the state’s natural beauty. Additionally, reducing litter helps maintain property values, enhances tourism, and fosters a stronger sense of community. Tourists don’t come to see trash along highways; on their way to our pristine beaches, expansive parks, and vibrant cities, we don’t want litter spoiling our panoramic views.