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
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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
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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.
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Report OES 08-07
Date: January 22, 2007
Subject: Pesticide Use on Municipal Property
Annual Update
Page 4
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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.
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Report OES 08-07
Date: January 22, 2007
Subject: Pesticide Use on Municipal Property
Annual Update
Page 5
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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
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