Transcript Slide 1

The City of Edmonton’s
Integrated Pest Management
Policy
Evolution of An Integrated Pest
Management Policy
The City of Edmonton
Anti-Pesticide Movement
Pesticide Exemption Programs
• Medical Alert Pesticide Program (MAPP)
• Herbicide Exemption Request Program
(HERP)
• Petition to designate parkland as
“herbicide free”
• No Spray zone of 30 metres at
playgrounds and daycares
Public Notification
• Public Notice in newspapers
• Send letters to Schools and
Daycares
• Daily recorded Sprayline
• Post signs at spray sites
Herbicide Ban
• In 1994,
environmental Groups
pressured City Council
to eliminate the use
of herbicides on city
parkland based on
health and
environmental
concerns.
July 1994, Broadleaf Weed Control
Pilot Project Begins
39 Sites:
• No Herbicide Areas
• Cultural Control Areas
• Herbicide Control Areas
Formation of the Broadleaf Weed Control
Advisory Committee
Broadleaf Weed Control
Advisory Committee
• The purpose of the
Broadleaf Weed
Control Advisory
Committee was to
develop a weed
control program with
appropriate standards
and procedures for
the City of Edmonton.
Conclusion of the Pilot Project
• No serious Weed problems on any site
during the three-year period under any of
the control strategies if:
•The underlying soil on a site was
good.
•The turf in the area was established
and maintained carefully from the
start.
•The areas were generally weedfree at
the start of the project.
Broadleaf Weed Control Advisory
Committee Recommendations
• Endorse weed control practices and their
continuous improvement
• Reduce or minimize the use of herbicides
• Facilitate naturalization as a vegetation
management strategy
• Weed control standards set
• Citizen education and awareness
City of Calgary
In 1997,
Calgary
adopted an
IPM policy and
Management
plan
The Hudson Quebec Ruling
• June 2001 Supreme Court of Canada
affirmed municipalities could pass bylaws
that regulate and restrict pesticide use.
• Hudson’s bylaw bans pesticide usage on
both private and public property for
cosmetic purposes.
Other Canadian Cities:
Pesticide Regulation Status
Approved IPM Policy
Vancouver
Winnipeg
Calgary
Regina
Windsor
Guelph
Leduc
Municipal Restricted
Montreal
Halifax
Toronto
Hudson
Shediac
Moncton
Thorold
Pesticide Advisory Committee
PAC Consensus Recommendation
Public Education
• The City of Edmonton should adopt a
public education program targeting
residential homeowners, schools,
consumers at point-of-purchase and
the media
• This will encourage citizens to make
informed choices about pesticide use
City Council’s Public Hearing on
Pesticides
Community Services
Department brings in
experts to provide
unbiased, knowledgebased perspectives
on pesticides
Dr. Ritter
Results of the Public Hearing
• Council requested a City IPM policy to
reduce or eliminate the City’s use of
pesticides and requested an
implementation strategy for the social
marketing program
• February - 2004 IPM policy and social
marketing program was approved with
funding
Council Approved IPM Policy C501
Integrated Pest Management
Definition
A multidisciplinary approach to the
management of pests based first on
prevention and when needed, a control
(biological, cultural, physical or mechanical
intervention), saving registered pesticide
control as a last resort
Highlights of IPM Policy
• Commitment to providing safe and healthy urban
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environments.
Minimize pesticide use but where required, use
responsibly.
Expert identification of pests and knowledge-based
alternatives.
Preventive methods considered before least toxic
pesticides.
Pest monitoring and determination of action thresholds.
Pesticides are applied responsibly, restriction programs
are available for sensitive individuals and the public is
made aware of all applications.
Alternatives to Reduce Pesticides
A greater use of planning and
plant health care techniques
to remedy soil problems and
other sources of plant stress.
Achieving Pesticide Reduction
Increased cultural
practices to offset stress
induced pest problems.
Some Newer IPM Initiatives
• Low Maintenance grass selections
• Improved plant health care - compost
trials
• Insect biocontrol agents that feed on
weeds
• Fungal biocontrol agent that kills weeds
• Bacterial biocontrol of fairy ring
• Alternative pesticides corn gluten etc.
Native Grass Selections
Dr. Jim Ross, Prairie Turfgrass Research Centre, Olds College, AB
Compost Amendments for
Horticultural/Turf Applications
Insect Biocontrols vs. Noxious Weeds
Dr. Alec McClay, formerly with Alberta Research Council
Microbial Bio-Controls of Turf Pests
Dr. Karen Bailey, Agriculture Canada, Saskatoon SK.
Dr. Prem Kharbandra, Alberta Research Council, Vegreville AB
New “low-risk” Alternative
Pesticides
City of Edmonton 2,4-D Use
Reduction Trend
Inventory Growth Versus Area Treated
Hectares of Parkland
5,000
4,000
3,000
Total Parkland
Inventory (HA)
2,000
Hectares
Treated
1,000
0
1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Year
Shifting Public Perceptions
1993 Survey Data
Don't
Know
Mow
more
Treat
only if
needed
Eliminate
Decrease
Stay
Same
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Increase
Percentage
City's Use of Chemical Weed Control Opinions of Edmontonians (1993)
More Recent Survey Data
How Edmontonians Feel About the City Spraying
for Broadleaf Weeds
50
40
Sept 2002 Survey
June 2003 Survey
30
20
10
Areas Where Pesticide is Used
Support
Neutral
Opposed
SIDEWALK BLVDS
Support
Neutral
Opposed
ROADWAY BLVDS
Support
Neutral
Opposed
SPORTS FIELDS
Support
Neutral
Opposed
0
PUBLIC PARKS
Percentage of Citizens
60
Confusion Over Terminology
Good Growing Edmonton
Main Messaging
• The City of Edmonton is committed to
reducing the amount of pesticides used
on public parkland.
Here’s how you, too, can reduce or
eliminate use of pesticides in your yard
… all toward a healthier environment
Measurement
• Alberta Environment annual data
analysis
• Storm Water Management Lake
pesticide sampling study
• Annual market research to evaluate
awareness levels and changes in
gardening practices
2004 Program Summary
• Direct mail out, 170,000 Brochure
• Radio advertisement, 630 Ched
• Newspaper advertisement, Examiner and Journal
• Good Growing Edmonton website
Conclusion - Questions