HomeMy WebLinkAboutOES 37-05PICKERING
REPORT TO
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Report Number: OES 37-05
Date: December 1, 2005
Richard Holborn, P. Eng.
Division Head, Municipal Property & Engineering
Subject:
Pesticide Use
File: A 2130
Recommendation:
1. That Report OES 37-05 regarding Pesticide Use be received; and that
The City of Pickering staff annually review the effectiveness of educational
programs pertaining to pesticides and their use and investigate the potential for
further development of community awareness, and that
The City of Pickering staff continue to investigate and evaluate alternative
options to pesticides for pest control on municipal properties.
Executive Summary: The issue regarding the use of pesticides on non-agricultural
lands can be a very contentious one with a variety of opinions across the spectrum. The
City of Pickering has opted not to follow suit with municipalities such as Toronto that
have adopted a bylaw banning cosmetic use of pesticides. Instead, the City of Pickering
has opted to take an integrated look at how we manage municipal properties and
promote community based marketing about alternatives. 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.
In the spring of 2005 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 their properties.
Report OES 37-05
Subject: Pesticide Use
Date:
December 1, 2005
Page 2
Financial Implications: In 2005, the financial investment, with the exclusion of staff
time, was limited with most of the expenses resulting from the Property Green Up event
in June. In spring 2006, it is proposed that in addition to a Property Green Up event at
City Hall, the City partner with Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) to
host a Healthy Yards Workshop.
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 2005. In March, staff participated in
a Property Naturalization Workshop hosted by the TRCA Frenchman's Bay Watershed
Rehabilitation Project. Approximately fifty residents attended this informative Workshop.
As a guest speaker, the City's Coordinator, Environmental Awareness Programs gave a
PowerPoint presentation entitled an Integrated Approach to Property Management.
Within the presentation the following aspects were discussed: Importance of an integrated approach to lawn care,
Preventing problems before they arise by proper mowing, watering, fertilizing,
overseeding, aerating, dethatching and regular checks,
- Treatment options,
- Pesticides, what are they and how should they be properly used and disposed
of,
- Alternatives to pesticides,
- What the City of Pickering is doing to maintain their properties.
An educational display was also set up with free material that workshop participants
could take home. Overall the event was very successful and well received by
participants.
Since the event in March, this educational display has been set up on many occasions
with free educational material about a variety of topics, including alternatives to
pesticides and integrated lawn care. In connection with Earth Day on April 22, 2005 the
display was set up for one week in the main foyer at City Hall. Later that month the
display, in conjunction with the Enviro-monsters Competition, was brought to the
Pickering Town Centre. In May the display was once again put up at City Hall during the
Federation of Canadian Municipalities grant announcement.
CORP0227-07/01
Report OES 37-05
Subject: Pesticide Use
Date: December 1, 2005
Page 3
In June, the City hosted a Property Green Up event in partnership with the Region of
Durham and the Bloomers and Britches. This event afforded residents the opportunity
to pick up free compost, mulch, rain gauges and educational literature pertaining to
alternatives to pesticides and integrated lawn care. Attendees could also purchase blue
boxes, compost boxes, and heritage and native plants. These supplies will assist
residents in their effort to maintain a healthy lawn.
The City of Pickering website has been another means used to promote an integrated
approach to lawn care. An extensive amount of information under the header of
"Property Green Up" has been placed on the website in the "Environmental Awareness"
section; literature is also available for download as a PDF. In particular, information
pertaining to proper lawn care and natural alternatives to pesticides is available. In
addition, for those that opt for chemicals to control pests the web pages provide
instructions about proper use 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 "Request 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 individuals, in addition to receiving the free literature, are mailed a
rain gauge and a City of Pickering tote bag stamped "Protecting our
environment... Protecting our future".
The Green Pages section of the City's seasonal brochures has been an excellent
means to promote a variety of environmental programs and resources available to
residents including workshops, environmental events, the website Request Form and
educational material.
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 this process. The article this summer in the Green Pages section of Municipal
Matters promoted and educated staff about taking an integrated approach to lawn care
at their home.
The City of Pickering staff was requested to set up an environmental display at the
Whitevale Community Day in October, since there was an environmental theme to the
event this year. The event organizers arranged for displays from various environmental
groups and ran environmentally focused games for kids. Since lawn care practices in
autumn are just as important as those in spring to grow a healthy pest free lawn, the
educational literature pertaining to integrated property management was provided at the
display.
Planning has begun for the 2006 season. In addition to building on the initiatives
outlined above, it's proposed that the City partner with the TRCA to host a Healthy
CORP0227-07/01
Report OES 37-05
Subject: Pesticide Use
Date:
December1,2005
Page 4
Yards workshop in the Duffins Creek watershed in the spring. A possible location is
Claremont. TRCA has hosted Healthy Yards workshops within other municipalities and
they have proved very successful. In addition, it will complement those already offered
in the Frenchman's Bay watershed. The proposed 2006 budget includes an allowance
for the City to subsidize the cost of Organic Lawn Care kits. The kits will contain
everything a homeowner needs to start implementing more sustainable practices, such
as; drought/disease tolerant grass seed for overseeding, beneficial nematodes and a
hose end sprayer for grub control, a hand held weeder, organic fertilizer and a
reference book on organic lawn care. The kits are valued at $120 each, but with the
City of Pickering subsidizing a portion of the cost, it will make it easier and thus more
likely for the residents attending to purchase the kits.
City staff continues to monitor the City's green spaces for weeds as part of the
commitment to the pesticide reduction program. Cultural practices such as aerating,
topdressing, over seeding and fertilizing are used to encourage a strong and healthy
turf grass and thus reduce the need for pesticide applications by reducing the weed
populations. Where practical, and the budget allows, products recommended as
environmentally friendlier are used. This would include such things as corn gluten or
weed and feed and organic based fertilizers. Staff continues to investigate up to date
information, practices and new products that will provide quality turf grass with minimal
pesticide applications required.
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. Property Green Up Flyer
2. Frenchman's Bay Post
3. Friends of the Rouge Watershed Flyer
CORP0227-07/01
Report OES 37-05
Subject: Pesticide Use
Date:
December 1, 2005
Page 5
Prepared By:
Chantal Whitaker
Coordinator, Environmental
Awareness Programs
Evere~BuntSma
Director, Operations & Emergency Services
Richard W. Hol,b~rn,-P. Eng.
Div/i~ion Head, Municipal Property & Engineering
/~ergency Services
Copy: Chief Administrative Officer
Superintendent, Municipal Operations
Recommended for the consideration of
Pickering Cit7 Council
Th/0mas J. Qd~n, Ch~f/Adm~n~s~Of~er ~
CORP0227-07/01
i
~'OREPORT# 0~- c'O ~ 7-0.5
Saturday, June 11th
8:00 am - Noon
City of Picketing Operations Centre
2570 Tillings Rd.
Pickerir~g
ERSNRD ~
Centre
· Pick-up
· Rel
· Blue Boxes
Frenchman's Bay
Watemhed Rehabilitation Project
ONTARIOffiik- I ........... ..,..-, ........... a 'a,va'tro, hyd
Local Area H/story
Program Details
Event Listings
All you need to know about this
project is on our website!
It's hard to believe it's been a year since
our last project newsletter. The
following pages reflect on
accomplishments from autumn 2004 to
September 2005.
During this past year, staff have spent
much of their time developing new
partnerships within the Pickering
community.
We have great news! Funding for the two year
Pickering Healthy Communities project, in the amount
of $ 70,000, has been approved by the EcoAction
Community Funding Program.
This project will pick-up where the West Shore Habitat
Initiative ends. Starting October 1st, 2005 we will
initiate three community action sites, a residential
homeowners and corporate challenge program.
! Highlights ... Pg !
We are pleased to announce that Hydro One has joined our list of
project partners. Over the next three years we will be working
with Hydro One to deliver environmental education programs
that will continue to benefit the Frenchman's Bay watershed.
:! The Natural Alternative
... Pg2
~ West Shore Habitat
Initiative ... Pg 3
' Around the Bay
;A Collage ... Pg 4,5
'Hands on the Earth ... Pg 6
Volunteer Environmental
Watch ... Pg 7
Thank-you, Ripples .7; .P~] 8
In November & December 2004, groups explored renewable and
non-renewable energy sources such as fossil fuels, wind and solar
through demonstrations. Games and videos were also on-hand
to teach these Idds about conserving energy at home.
This 2nd workshop, hosted on October 25th, 2004, was attended by members of the public
seeking information on solar, wind energy and home energy audits. A special thank-you to
guest speakers Shoan Sorenson- TRCA, Dave Timm- TREC and Stephanie Bolton-
Greensavers Iwho also donated a home audit as one of many door prizes) for sharing
practical information on conserving energy.
On March 21 st, past participants of
the property naturalization program
were invited to a follow-up session to
continue the pursuit of their
'gardening dreams'.
Chantal ~(/hitaker- City of Pickering,
was on hand to talk about pesticide
use, while John McMullen-
Landscape Architect, gave us tips for
implementing property plans and
Colleen Cirillo- TRCA, provided
practical resources for making the
switch to natural gardening.
Check out some of these resources
for yourself by visiting the TRC~'s
new Healthy Yards webtool.
www. trca, on.ca/yards
A spec/a/thank-j/ou to Environmental
Factor for the donation of alternative
lawn care products for door prizes!
As part of our continued commitment to improving
local water quality more yellow fish are being
spotted throughout the City of Pickering.
These yellow fish are a reminder that the water lived
in by fish and other wildlife, and the water we use
for swimming and drinking, can be polluted by the
improper disposal and use of everyday household,
garden, and automobile products.
~(/hen it rains, these hazardous substances are
carried directly into neighbourhood streams, rivers,
and lakes, usual/y untreated, from the storm sewers
on your street.
Local groups
helped to deliver
this message in
April 2005 by
painting yellow fish
beside storm drains,
adhering discs
(photo to the right)
to curbs and
delivering flyers to
local homeowners.
* Environmental Games for Kids of All Ages
* Learn About Active Environmental Groups in the Neighbourhood
* Go on a Guided Hike Lead by a Local Naturalist
* Learn about the Cultural Heritage of the Area
* Meet Animals from Second Chance Wildlife Sanctuary
* Or go on a Guided 45 km Bike Journey
a~e C°~*i~J
WHERE AND WHEN
Whitevale Community Centre
405 Whitevale Rd.
Saturday, October 1st
Starting at 10am going all afternoon
To Hwy-401 &
Kings[on Rd,
Bring a Picnic Lunch and Blanket for the
grass and sports equipment
to play with new friends
THEN walk up to North St. to the Heritage
United Church Family Community Food Drive
for more activities for the kids and refreshments
all to support the local Food Bank.