Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutOES 08-07 Cit" o~ REPORT TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Report Number: OES 08-07 Date: January 22,2007 033 From: Everett Buntsma Director, Operations & Emergency Services Subject: Pesticide Use on Municipal Property - Annual Update File: A-2130 Recommendation: 1. That Report OES 08-07 regarding Pesticide Use on Municipal and Private Property be received; 2. That City of Pickering staff continue to review the effectiveness of educational programs pertaining to pesticides and their use and investigate the potential for further development of community awareness and report the results on an annual basis, and 3. That City of Pickering staff continue to investigate and evaluate alternative options to pesticides for pest control on municipal properties, and report the results on an annual basis. Executive Summary: The issue regarding the use of pesticides on non-agricultural lands continues to be a contentious one with a variety of opinions across the spectrum. The City of Pickering at this time, has opted not to follow suit with municipalities such as the City of Toronto and the Town of Newmarket that have adopted by-laws banning cosmetic use of pesticides. A Memorandum was submitted to Council through the Director, Operations & Emergency Services on December 15, 2005 pertaining to the City of Toronto Pesticide By-law (No. 456-2003) as well as the property management practices of other municipalities within the Region of Durham. Resuming in the spring of 2006 City staff delivered educational community awareness programs using a variety of means to provide residents with the information necessary to make informed decisions about what was right for them and their properties. The City of Pickering has continued to manage municipal properties in an integrated approach. Proper mowing and aeration, irrigation and watering techniques, regular de- thatching and the use of organic fertilizers have reduced the City's need for pesticides. Naturalized areas within the parks have also reduced the need for treatments. All natural alternatives are investigated and utilized wherever possible and practical. Report OES 08-07 Date: January 22, 2007 Subject: Pesticide Use on Municipal Property Annual Update Page 2 C'. t') '" · J.ly Financial Implications: In 2006, the financial investment, with the exclusion of staff time, was limited regarding both the purchase of pesticides and new marketing supplies. However, discussion is already underway for a partnership with Landscape Ontario and potential other partners like the Toronto & Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to host three "Healthy Lawns, Healthy Gardens" workshops in April 2007. One workshop would be hosted in each Ward of the City. In addition, with the expansion of the green bin program creating the availability of compost, we are discussing hosting another Property Green Up event with the Region of Durham at which residents can collect free compost, educational materials and purchase green bins, blue boxes and backyard compost boxes. Staff will once again explore partnering with the Bloomers & Britches and TRCA for the event. Sustainability Implications: By promoting responsible property management to residents and abiding by this philosophy when we manage municipally owned lands, we are addressing the sustainability objectives of a healthy environment, healthy society and healthy economy. The misuse of pesticides can be a problem for both the environment and human health (society). Through a variety of means we are educating the community about integrated management, safe pesticide use and alternatives to pesticides, thereby reducing the impact on these two areas. With regard to the economy, by using an integrated approach on municipal lands we are reducing the need to purchase pesticides. At the same time we are stimulating the economy when we support the purchase of non-traditional pest control products and companies that offer this service. In the short-term we are providing the community with tools with which to modify their perception and eventually change their behaviour. Fostering a new way of maintaining properties and moving people away from the traditional methods is a long term goal and one that will result in a healthier, more sustainable community overall. Background: For some individuals, using an assortment of chemicals to maintain a lawn is common practice. However, times and attitudes are changing and pesticide use as a sole means to maintain a green lawn is becoming an issue in many communities. Pesticide use is becoming a contentious issue due to an increased perception about the impact some chemicals may have on the environment and our health. As a result, some homeowners are choosing to adopt environmentally sound lawn care practices and only use pesticides when absolutely necessary. There is also now a greater understanding that a healthy lawn is less likely to suffer from pest problems. To promote this perspective to a wider audience, staff have used a variety of mechanisms in the spring, summer and autumn of 2006. In May, staff participated in a Healthy Homes and Gardens Workshop hosted by the TRCA Frenchman's Bay Watershed Rehabilitation Project. Approximately 40 residents attended this informative Workshop. As a guest speaker, the City's Foreperson, Parks & Property presented the CORP0227 -07/01 Report OES 08-07 Date: January 22, 2007 Subject: Pesticide Use on Municipal Property Annual Update Page 3 03:5 City's approach to managing and maintaining public properties. Other speakers included Lorelei Hepburn of Environmental Factor who discussed organic lawn care and Paul Hayden of Grow Wild who presented the benefits of growing native plants. The City's educational display was set up to distribute free material for workshop participants to take home. Other displays included TRCA's Healthy Yards Program and Environmental Factor. The first thirty participants to register were given "Healthy Homes" kits, which included products for use inside and outside of the home as well as native wildflowers, shrubs and organic lawn care products. The materials in each kit were donated by various businesses and were worth about $100. Overall the event was successful and well received by participants. In addition to the above event the educational display has been set up on many occasions with free educational material for residents and staff to take, covering a variety of topics, including alternatives to pesticides and integrated lawn care. For example the display was set up at the following events: - Pickering Recreation Complex - Sustainable Neighbourhood Planning session on March 3rd Pickering Town Centre - Enviro-Monsters Competition (April 20th) and Earth Day (April 22nd). Display remained on site from April 20th to April 23rd Canada Day celebrations on July 1 st at Bay Ridges Kinsmen Park The City of Pickering website has been another means to promote an integrated approach to lawn care. An extensive amount of information under the header of "Property Green Up" is on the website in the "Environmental Awareness" section; literature is also available for download as a PDF. The web pages are updated twice a year and contain information pertaining to proper lawn care and natural alternatives to pesticides. In addition, for those that opt to use pesticides to control pests there are instructions about proper use, storage and disposal. Lastly, the website is also used to update residents about how the City of Pickering is managing municipal properties. Another useful tool on the website has been the introduction of a new and improved "Request Information Form". Residents have been using this form as an online means to request information about a variety of topics. In the spring and summer, the majority of the requests received were for educational material pertaining to integrated lawn care. The requests are processed immediately and the materials are mailed to the resident's homes. A new Request Information brochure has also been produced and will be distributed to City libraries, community centers, City Hall and Recreation Complex. The Green Pages section of the City's Services & Leisure Guide has been an excellent means to promote a variety of environmental programs and resources available to residents including workshops, environmental events, educational material, the website and Request Information Form. In the spring/summer edition a section specifically focused on an integrated approach to lawn care. CORP0227-07/01 Report OES 08-07 Date: January 22, 2007 Subject: Pesticide Use on Municipal Property Annual Update Page 4 GaG It is important that City of Pickering staff are viewed by the community as leading by example. The Green Pages section of the Municipal Matters publication is used to facilitate a better understanding amongst City staff about the environment and how to lead a more sustainable lifestyle at home. An article and quiz within the summer edition were used to encourage staff to take an integrated approach to lawn care at their home. Planning has commenced for the 2007 season. In addition to building on the initiatives outlined above, we have already started investigating the possibility of partnering with Landscape Ontario to host three "Healthy Lawns, Healthy Gardens" workshops. One workshop would be hosted in each Ward of the City. At a recent meeting we discussed previous initiatives that Landscape Ontario had undertaken with municipalities. The response to these workshops had been positive as they indicated approximately 100 residents turned out per session. An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Specialist from Landscape Ontario would present the lawn care component. The garden component would be presented by one of the hosts of Home Garden Television (HGTV's) "One Look Two Gardens" show. City staff would present how the City is managing and maintaining public properties. So as to not overlap with the TRCA's Healthy Yards workshop we would investigate collaborating on this initiative. Other potential partnerships such as with the Region of Durham will be examined. Staff are considering the workshops to take place around Earth Day so that they can be integrated into a concept of having a full week in April 2007 geared to sustainability and environmentally based activities for the community. With the expansion of the green bin program there is once again an opportunity to have a Property Green Up event at which residents can collect free compost, educational materials and purchase green bins, blue boxes and backyard compost boxes. Staff will again look at partnering with the TRCA's Frenchman's Bay Watershed Rehabilitation Project and Bloomers & Britches. The initial timeframe being proposed for this event is May, 2007. Working with Landscape Ontario we plan to place a series of articles in the Pickering News Advertiser pertaining to healthy lawn and garden care. For those that prefer to hire a company to do this work for them we will also have an article about how to choose a reputable lawn care service provider. The City of Pickering staff continue to take an integrated approach to how we manage our properties and sports fields. Proper mowing and aeration, an irrigation system, regular thatching and the use of organic fertilizers have reduced the need for pesticides and has encouraged the growth of strong and healthy turf grass. Various areas within the City's parks have also been naturalized to further reduce the need for treatments. These actions have significantly reduced the use of pesticides on public lands over the last seven years. Staff continue to investigate up to date information, practices and new products that will provide quality turf grass with minimal pesticide applications required. CORP0227-07/01 Report OES 08-07 Date: January 22, 2007 Subject: Pesticide Use on Municipal Property Annual Update Page 5 G37 A synopsis of the City's practices include the following: - continued the development of an Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) supported the naturalization of areas created no spray zones around properties abutting schools used competitive drought tolerant grasses used natural fertilizers where practical and budget allows - experimented with alternatives such as horticultural vinegar practiced proper lawn and garden care through aerating, overseeding, regular checks, water management through irrigation systems and raised mowing heights. - used chemical treatment as a last resort and only when the safety of sports field users was compromised by a pest - used pest selective pesticides, for example, to target broadleaf weeds in sports fields As outlined above various initiatives have been recently undertaken or are planned for the upcoming year. Therefore, it is being recommended that City of Pickering staff continue to annually review the effectiveness of the community educational programs pertaining to pesticides and investigate the potential for further development of community awareness. As well, it is recommended that the City staff continue to investigate and evaluate alternative options to pesticides for pest control on municipal properties. Attachments 1. Not Applicable Prepared By: Evere t nt m Director, Operations & Emergency Services Cl~I~'~ Chantal Whitaker Coordinator, Environmental Awareness Programs Report OES 08-07 Date: January 22, 2007 Subject: Pesticide Use on Municipal Property Annual Update G3S Page 6 Copy: Chief Administrative Officer Superintendent, Municipal Operations Recommended for the consideration of Pickering C~ty Council // ( CORP0227 -07/01