The City of Edmontons 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) Medical Alert Pesticide Program (MAPP) Herbicide Exemption Request Program (HERP) Herbicide Exemption Request Program (HERP) Petition to designate parkland as herbicide free Petition to designate parkland as herbicide free No Spray zone of 30 metres at playgrounds and daycares No Spray zone of 30 metres at playgrounds and daycares

Public Notification Public Notice in newspapers Public Notice in newspapers Send letters to Schools and Daycares Send letters to Schools and Daycares Daily recorded Sprayline Daily recorded Sprayline Post signs at spray sites 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. 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 No Herbicide Areas Cultural Control Areas Cultural Control Areas Herbicide 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. 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: 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 underlying soil on a site was good. The turf in the area was established and maintained carefully from the start. The turf in the area was established and maintained carefully from the start. The areas were generally weedfree at the start of the project. 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 Endorse weed control practices and their continuous improvement Reduce or minimize the use of herbicides Reduce or minimize the use of herbicides Facilitate naturalization as a vegetation management strategy Facilitate naturalization as a vegetation management strategy Weed control standards set Weed control standards set Citizen education and awareness Citizen education and awareness

City of Calgary In 1997, Calgary adopted an IPM policy and Management plan 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. June 2001 Supreme Court of Canada affirmed municipalities could pass bylaws that regulate and restrict pesticide use. Hudsons bylaw bans pesticide usage on both private and public property for cosmetic purposes. Hudsons bylaw bans pesticide usage on both private and public property for cosmetic purposes.

Other Canadian Cities: Pesticide Regulation Status Approved IPM PolicyMunicipal Restricted VancouverMontreal VancouverMontreal WinnipegHalifax WinnipegHalifax CalgaryToronto CalgaryToronto Regina Hudson Regina Hudson WindsorShediac WindsorShediac Guelph Moncton Guelph Moncton Leduc Thorold Leduc 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 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 This will encourage citizens to make informed choices about pesticide use

City Councils Public Hearing on Pesticides Community Services Department brings in experts to provide unbiased, knowledge- based perspectives on pesticides Community Services Department brings in experts to provide unbiased, knowledge- based perspectives on pesticides Dr. Ritter

Results of the Public Hearing Council requested a City IPM policy to reduce or eliminate the Citys use of pesticides and requested an implementation strategy for the social marketing program Council requested a City IPM policy to reduce or eliminate the Citys use of pesticides and requested an implementation strategy for the social marketing program February IPM policy and social marketing program was approved with funding February 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 environments. Commitment to providing safe and healthy urban environments. Minimize pesticide use but where required, use responsibly. Minimize pesticide use but where required, use responsibly. Expert identification of pests and knowledge-based alternatives. Expert identification of pests and knowledge-based alternatives. Preventive methods considered before least toxic pesticides. Preventive methods considered before least toxic pesticides. Pest monitoring and determination of action thresholds. 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. 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. Increased cultural practices to offset stress induced pest problems.

Some Newer IPM Initiatives Low Maintenance grass selections Low Maintenance grass selections Improved plant health care - compost trials Improved plant health care - compost trials Insect biocontrol agents that feed on weeds Insect biocontrol agents that feed on weeds Fungal biocontrol agent that kills weeds Fungal biocontrol agent that kills weeds Bacterial biocontrol of fairy ring Bacterial biocontrol of fairy ring Alternative pesticides corn gluten etc. 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

Shifting Public Perceptions

1993 Survey Data

More Recent Survey Data

Confusion Over Terminology

Good Growing Edmonton

Main Messaging The City of Edmonton is committed to reducing the amount of pesticides used on public parkland.The City of Edmonton is committed to reducing the amount of pesticides used on public parkland. Heres how you, too, can reduce or eliminate use of pesticides in your yard … all toward a healthier environment

Measurement Alberta Environment annual data analysisAlberta Environment annual data analysis Storm Water Management Lake pesticide sampling studyStorm Water Management Lake pesticide sampling study Annual market research to evaluate awareness levels and changes in gardening practicesAnnual 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