The Mankato Area Public Schools is exploring organic turf-grass management through a grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. Also, earlier this year, the City of Northfield unanimously approved an Organic Pest Management Policy for all town lands.
It is encouraging that citizens here in Minnesota are concerned about the health effects and environmental impact related to the use of synthetic pesticides, especially on lawns and landscapes.
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Ed. Comment:
This encourages me because most of the progress being made toward safer lawns is happening in Canada. Here is an example of a progressive community in the good ol' USA.
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Monday, June 4, 2007
Ottawa Valley Editor finds Pesticide Signs are a knife in his conscience
Warning, pesticides in use and I can't sleep
Editorial - Saturday, June 02, 2007 @ 09:00
Editor: I woke up at 3 a.m. this morning. My heart was aching, my mind wouldn't turn off and allow me to go back to sleep. I don't usually enjoy writing but sometimes my lack of peace of mind pushes me to do things I would otherwise not want to do. So here I am. The other day while biking through my neighborhood I couldn't help but notice all the signs on the lawn. Pesticides in use. The one that stuck out for me was "Warning- Pesticides in Use." My heart sank as I witnessed sign after sign. Being an environmentalist I can't help but grieve for our planet and for the many ways that we continue to abuse her. When I see in big letters- "Warning" that gives me the shivers. My body feels sick as I realize that I am breathing in all these chemicals that are floating in the air. My soul is frightened because I visualize that the next sign we may see is Contaminated water - don't drink."
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Editorial - Saturday, June 02, 2007 @ 09:00
Editor: I woke up at 3 a.m. this morning. My heart was aching, my mind wouldn't turn off and allow me to go back to sleep. I don't usually enjoy writing but sometimes my lack of peace of mind pushes me to do things I would otherwise not want to do. So here I am. The other day while biking through my neighborhood I couldn't help but notice all the signs on the lawn. Pesticides in use. The one that stuck out for me was "Warning- Pesticides in Use." My heart sank as I witnessed sign after sign. Being an environmentalist I can't help but grieve for our planet and for the many ways that we continue to abuse her. When I see in big letters- "Warning" that gives me the shivers. My body feels sick as I realize that I am breathing in all these chemicals that are floating in the air. My soul is frightened because I visualize that the next sign we may see is Contaminated water - don't drink."
Full Story
Pesticides and Fertilizers are Wreaking Havoc on the lobster and fish of the Norwalk River Watershed
Death downstream
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides and heavy metals are often attached to soil particles and wash into the water bodies, causing algae blooms and depleted oxygen, which is deadly to most aquatic life.”The DEP recorded several unexplained fish kills in Norwalk Harbor, which is at the mouth of the Norwalk River. The largest occurred two years ago when more than a million fish died in the harbor.“When we went out to check the health of the harbor, we found just 70 juvenile bottom-feeding fish,” Mr. Harris said. “Normally, we would expect to find between 300 and 400.”At the same time, Long Island Sound experienced a massive lobster die-off in the late 1990s. The die-off gutted a $26 million industry. Once more, science could not find any one main cause, although pollution from the Norwalk River is among the suspected reasons, especially pollution from untreated runoff.“We’re still scratching our heads about the lobster die-off,” Mr. Dunbar at the DEP said. “We know the issues of water quality played a big role, but we don’t how.”In addition to fertilizer and parking lot runoff, a 2006 DEP report found high levels of pesticides in the river. Some came from land owners while others were the result of towns’ attempts to control mosquitoes. “Lab studies revealed lobsters are considerably more sensitive to the effects of (pesticide) than any other freshwater fish and aquatic invertebrates previously tested,” the report said.
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According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides and heavy metals are often attached to soil particles and wash into the water bodies, causing algae blooms and depleted oxygen, which is deadly to most aquatic life.”The DEP recorded several unexplained fish kills in Norwalk Harbor, which is at the mouth of the Norwalk River. The largest occurred two years ago when more than a million fish died in the harbor.“When we went out to check the health of the harbor, we found just 70 juvenile bottom-feeding fish,” Mr. Harris said. “Normally, we would expect to find between 300 and 400.”At the same time, Long Island Sound experienced a massive lobster die-off in the late 1990s. The die-off gutted a $26 million industry. Once more, science could not find any one main cause, although pollution from the Norwalk River is among the suspected reasons, especially pollution from untreated runoff.“We’re still scratching our heads about the lobster die-off,” Mr. Dunbar at the DEP said. “We know the issues of water quality played a big role, but we don’t how.”In addition to fertilizer and parking lot runoff, a 2006 DEP report found high levels of pesticides in the river. Some came from land owners while others were the result of towns’ attempts to control mosquitoes. “Lab studies revealed lobsters are considerably more sensitive to the effects of (pesticide) than any other freshwater fish and aquatic invertebrates previously tested,” the report said.
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Thursday, May 31, 2007
Canadian town considering a cosmetic pesticide ban, one of a growing number
TO SPRAY OR NOT TO SPRAY
Fort Erie pressured to ban pesticides
RAY SPITERI / Review Staff Writer Local News - Thursday, May 31, 2007 Updated @ 6:41:59 AM
Fort Erie is being urged to follow the likes of Thorold and Toronto in banning the use of chemical pesticides. Studies and reports claim pesticide use can cause a whole host of health hazards to the public, including cancer. About 125 communities across Canada have pesticide bylaws.
Photo: Joe WallaceThe Town of Fort Erie is being urged to adopt a bylaw banning the use of chemical pesticides within the municipality. Members of the Fort Erie Conservation Women's Auxiliary and the Niagara Healthy Environment Initiative are encouraging council to follow the lead of other municipalities who have banned the use of cosmetic chemicals in their communities.
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Fort Erie pressured to ban pesticides
RAY SPITERI / Review Staff Writer Local News - Thursday, May 31, 2007 Updated @ 6:41:59 AM
Fort Erie is being urged to follow the likes of Thorold and Toronto in banning the use of chemical pesticides. Studies and reports claim pesticide use can cause a whole host of health hazards to the public, including cancer. About 125 communities across Canada have pesticide bylaws.
Photo: Joe WallaceThe Town of Fort Erie is being urged to adopt a bylaw banning the use of chemical pesticides within the municipality. Members of the Fort Erie Conservation Women's Auxiliary and the Niagara Healthy Environment Initiative are encouraging council to follow the lead of other municipalities who have banned the use of cosmetic chemicals in their communities.
Full Story
Friday, May 25, 2007
Government takes one more step at exposing the harmful nature of pesticides
Senate approves pesticide ban at K-8 schools
By Robert Miller THE NEWS-TIMES
In New Milford’s elementary and middle schools, kids get grass stains devoid of any chemical residue.
"We don’t apply pesticides to our fields," the schools’ facilities manager John Calhoun said Thursday. "The grass grows really well on its own."
If, as expected, the state House of Representatives follows the lead of the Senate, New Milford’s lawn care practices — creating green lawns in every sense of the word — will become standard operating procedure in the state.
On Wednesday, the Senate voted unanimously to ban the use of lawn-care pesticides and herbicides on the lawns surrounding day-care centers, primary schools, and middle schools up to eighth grade.
Full Story
*Ed. Comment.
I love how the school facilities manager, seemingly incredulous, exclaims; "The grass grows really well on its own." Just an observation from one humble observer. Isn't that why pretty much everyone owns a lawnmower. No one ever debates; "Should we mow the lawn this year, or not?" But there are many homeowners and property managers who ask the question, "Is lawn fertilizing in the budget?"
By Robert Miller THE NEWS-TIMES
In New Milford’s elementary and middle schools, kids get grass stains devoid of any chemical residue.
"We don’t apply pesticides to our fields," the schools’ facilities manager John Calhoun said Thursday. "The grass grows really well on its own."
If, as expected, the state House of Representatives follows the lead of the Senate, New Milford’s lawn care practices — creating green lawns in every sense of the word — will become standard operating procedure in the state.
On Wednesday, the Senate voted unanimously to ban the use of lawn-care pesticides and herbicides on the lawns surrounding day-care centers, primary schools, and middle schools up to eighth grade.
Full Story
*Ed. Comment.
I love how the school facilities manager, seemingly incredulous, exclaims; "The grass grows really well on its own." Just an observation from one humble observer. Isn't that why pretty much everyone owns a lawnmower. No one ever debates; "Should we mow the lawn this year, or not?" But there are many homeowners and property managers who ask the question, "Is lawn fertilizing in the budget?"
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Popular Insecticide "Sevin" May be killing honeybees en masse and endangering crop pollination
The Vanishing by Sharon Levy
"Over the past few years, Anderson has become a reluctant expert on one particular pesticide, Sevin, and the quirks of the system meant to govern its use. In the summer of 1998, Anderson's hives were stationed on farmland next to hybrid poplar groves managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the International Paper Company. Both sprayed the trees with Sevin to control infestations of the cottonwood leaf beetle, which damages poplars. Soon after, Anderson's bees began to die. He videotaped sick ones as they lay twitching, just outside their hive boxes, in the throes of nerve poisoning from the insecticide. The poisonings would continue long after a Sevin application, he says, because worker bees carried contaminated pollen back to the hive, where it affected the colony for months. More than 50 percent of his bees died.
"I can't comment on the specifics of Anderson's case," says Pettis, "but I do know that Sevin and honeybees do not mix. What he purports could certainly happen. If the bees are storing Sevin in the pollen, when they get to California and feed on it over the winter, it's going to be as toxic as it was when they first picked it up.""
Full Story
"Over the past few years, Anderson has become a reluctant expert on one particular pesticide, Sevin, and the quirks of the system meant to govern its use. In the summer of 1998, Anderson's hives were stationed on farmland next to hybrid poplar groves managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the International Paper Company. Both sprayed the trees with Sevin to control infestations of the cottonwood leaf beetle, which damages poplars. Soon after, Anderson's bees began to die. He videotaped sick ones as they lay twitching, just outside their hive boxes, in the throes of nerve poisoning from the insecticide. The poisonings would continue long after a Sevin application, he says, because worker bees carried contaminated pollen back to the hive, where it affected the colony for months. More than 50 percent of his bees died.
"I can't comment on the specifics of Anderson's case," says Pettis, "but I do know that Sevin and honeybees do not mix. What he purports could certainly happen. If the bees are storing Sevin in the pollen, when they get to California and feed on it over the winter, it's going to be as toxic as it was when they first picked it up.""
Full Story
48-Hour Pesticide Notification Law
Pesticide law takes hold — but its when-to varies
48-hour notification rule broadly interpreted
James Goodman Staff writer
(May 23, 2007) — When Kathy Thompson of Broccolo Tree & Lawn Care prepares a work order nowadays, the words "neighbor notification postcard printing" typically flash on her computer screen.
Broccolo, like other lawn care applicators operating in Monroe County, must notify the neighbors of a customer at least 48 hours before pesticide is sprayed. Eight other counties and New York City have opted to do the same.
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48-hour notification rule broadly interpreted
James Goodman Staff writer
(May 23, 2007) — When Kathy Thompson of Broccolo Tree & Lawn Care prepares a work order nowadays, the words "neighbor notification postcard printing" typically flash on her computer screen.
Broccolo, like other lawn care applicators operating in Monroe County, must notify the neighbors of a customer at least 48 hours before pesticide is sprayed. Eight other counties and New York City have opted to do the same.
Full Story
Monday, May 21, 2007
Lawn Care without Chemicals
This is a really good article with a 15 point list on how to get a nice lawn without the nasty chemicals.
Lawn care without chemicals
By Henry Homeyer In the Garden
1. If you apply pesticides to your lawn, your shoes and your pets will pick some up and bring it inside your house, ending up in your rugs or the cracks in the floor.
2. Soil is the key to a good lawn, and you need 6-12 inches of it for good results. Tukey suggests digging down to see what you have.
3. Get a soil test to find out if you need to adjust the pH of the soil, what minerals are deficient, and the percentage of organic matter present. Tukey says 5% organic matter in the soil is good.
Full Story
Lawn care without chemicals
By Henry Homeyer In the Garden
1. If you apply pesticides to your lawn, your shoes and your pets will pick some up and bring it inside your house, ending up in your rugs or the cracks in the floor.
2. Soil is the key to a good lawn, and you need 6-12 inches of it for good results. Tukey suggests digging down to see what you have.
3. Get a soil test to find out if you need to adjust the pH of the soil, what minerals are deficient, and the percentage of organic matter present. Tukey says 5% organic matter in the soil is good.
Full Story
Do as Peterborough has Done
Township bans lawn pesticides
RACHEL PUNCH Local News - Thursday, April 26, 2007 @ 09:00
Sheila Potter is grateful she will no longer have to pick up her two young daughters and carry them past lawns sprayed with pesticides. The Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield resident watched township council pass a bylaw restricting the cosmetic or non-essential use of pesticides Monday.
Full Story
RACHEL PUNCH Local News - Thursday, April 26, 2007 @ 09:00
Sheila Potter is grateful she will no longer have to pick up her two young daughters and carry them past lawns sprayed with pesticides. The Smith-Ennismore-Lakefield resident watched township council pass a bylaw restricting the cosmetic or non-essential use of pesticides Monday.
Full Story
Environmentalists Pushing for Pesticide Free Zones
Garance Burke,
Associated Press Writer
May 20, 2007
In California, the No. 1 farm state and the one with the best records, there were 590 pesticide-related illnesses at schools from 1996 to 2005, according to state figures analyzed by the AP. More than a third of those were due to pesticide drift, the figures show. Activists say that those numbers are low and that many cases are never reported.
Full Story
Associated Press Writer
May 20, 2007
In California, the No. 1 farm state and the one with the best records, there were 590 pesticide-related illnesses at schools from 1996 to 2005, according to state figures analyzed by the AP. More than a third of those were due to pesticide drift, the figures show. Activists say that those numbers are low and that many cases are never reported.
Full Story
Petition Trugreen to go Organic
There is a new Website that can help citizens petition the nation's largest lawn chemical applicator to switch thier practices to fully organic.
Visit their website here and take action!
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Visit their website here and take action!
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Trugreen's Chemicals Found to be toxic
"A report by the Toxics Action Center reveals ChemLawn's aggressive marketing practices and analyzes the 32 pesticide products the company markets to its household customers. More than half of the products include ingredients identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the World Health Organization as possible carcinogens, one third contain known or suspected endocrine disruptors, and more than a quarter contain reproductive toxins. Over 40% of the chemicals on ChemLawn's list contain ingredients banned in other countries, and all of the products in their arsenal pose threats to water supplies, aquatic organisms, and non-target insects."
Full Article
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Full Article
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Tuesday, May 15, 2007
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