The City of Edmonton’s Integrated Pest Management Policy

2. The City of Edmonton’s Integrated Pest Management Policy Just The Facts!!!

3. Evolution of An Integrated Pest Management Policy The City of Edmonton

4. 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

5. Public Notification • Public Notice in newspapers • Send letters to Schools and Daycares • Daily recorded Sprayline • Post signs at spray sites

6. Herbicide Ban • In 1994, environmental Groups pressured City Council to eliminate the use of herbicides on city parkland based on health and environmental concerns.

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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

11. City of Calgary In 1997, Calgary adopted an IPM policy and Management plan

12. 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.

13. Other Canadian Cities: Pesticide Regulation Status Approved IPM Policy Municipal Restricted Vancouver Montreal Winnipeg Halifax Calgary Toronto Regina Hudson Windsor Shediac Guelph Moncton Leduc Thorold

14. Pesticide Advisory Committee

15. 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

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

17. 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

18. Council Approved IPM Policy C501

19. 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

20. Highlights of IPM Policy • Commitment to providing safe and healthy urban 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.

21. Alternatives to Reduce Pesticides A greater use of planning and plant health care techniques to remedy soil problems and other sources of plant stress.

22. Achieving Pesticide Reduction Increased cultural practices to offset stress induced pest problems.

23. 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.

24. Native Grass Selections Dr.Jim Ross, Prairie Turfgrass Research Centre, Olds College, AB

25. Compost Amendments for Horticultural/Turf Applications

26. Insect Biocontrols vs. Noxious Weeds Dr. Alec McClay, formerly with Alberta Research Council

27. Microbial Bio-Controls of Turf Pests Dr. Karen Bailey, Agriculture Canada, Saskatoon SK. Dr. Prem Kharbandra, Alberta Research Council, Vegreville AB

28. New “low-risk” Alternative Pesticides

29. City of Edmonton 2,4-D Use Reduction Trend

30. Shifting Public Perceptions

31. 1993 Survey Data

32. More Recent Survey Data

33. Confusion Over Terminology

34. Good Growing Edmonton

35. 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

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

37. 2004 Program Summary • Direct mail out, 170,000 Brochure • Radio advertisement, 630 Ched • Newspaper advertisement, Examiner and Journal • Good Growing Edmonton website

38. Conclusion - Questions