Pesticide News Story: Environmental Stewardship Champions Recognized for Reducing Pesticide Risk
For Release: December 23, 2008
A blueprint for protecting pollinators (honeybees, butterflies, etc.), sustainable winegrowing, and reduced pesticide use in schools were among the projects that received recognition as Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program (PESP) Champions for their efforts to promote environmental stewardship and reduce pesticide risk in 2008. EPA’s PESP has recognized six members for their innovative efforts:
- Central Coast Vineyard Team (Paso Robles, Calif.) supported sustainable winegrowing through a “Positive Points System” – a comprehensive self-assessment of pesticide risk and whole-farm management – and a “Certified Sustainability Grown” Program that prohibits the use of certain pesticides on wine grapes.
- Highlands Soil and Water (Walnut Creek, Calif.) used demonstration trials, educational outreach, and scientific observations to define the benefits of reduced-use pesticide alternatives to its customers, such as strawberry growers, who adopted soil management techniques and reduced pre-plant fumigant use on more than 2,000 acres.
- IPM Institute of North America (Madison, Wis.) reduced pest problems and pesticide use in schools and childcare facilities affecting more than 2 million children through its third- party certification program, IPM STAR.
- North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (San Francisco, Calif.) developed a blueprint for pollinator protection and focused attention on the plight of pollinators and the urgent need to protect them throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
- Sarasota County Government (Fla.) reduced fertilizer use by introducing soil inoculants and automated injectors for applications. the County also used biological controls instead of more toxic methods to control mosquitoes.
- SYSCO Corporation (Houston, Texas) helped reduce pesticide use by nearly 1 million pounds and fertilizer applications by 8.7 million pounds since 2004 through a partnership with its suppliers of canned and frozen fruit and vegetables.
PESP goal is to reduce pesticide risk through the adoption of innovative pest control practices such as IPM, and the use of biological pesticides. IPM is an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management that relies on a combination of common-sense practices.