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Pesticide News Story: EPA Recognizes Environmental Innovation in Pest Management with 2012 PestWise Awards
For Release: March 28, 2012
Every year, EPA honors organizations that have made outstanding contributions to improving human health and the environment through their extraordinary commitment to Integrated Pest Management (IPM), an effective and environmentally sensitive approach to pest management. EPA’s 2012 PestWise Awards were presented at the 7th International IPM Symposium on March 27, in Memphis, Tennessee to the following honorees:
- National School Demonstration Project, a consortium of university extension services and other IPM school experts, non-governmental organizations, and school districts - Winner of the IPM Innovator Award: for increasing public understanding of pest and pesticide risk using high-level IPM practices to reduce pest complaints and pesticide use in schools and other public buildings by 71% to 93% without long-term cost increases.
- University of Arizona –Arizona Pest Management Center, Arizona, Winner of the PESP Gold Tier Shining Star Award: for implementing IPM programs impacting 390,841 students, 587 schools, and 41 school districts in Arizona by reducing pests and pesticide risks to students, teachers and staff. Through their educational programs, they have improved compliance with pesticide regulations and personal safety and have encouraged IPM adoption. Five Arizona school districts have received IPM STAR certifications. Their IPM in Public Housing Program has supported IPM education and implementation in 2,908 homes and improved the lives of more than 5,200 residents.
- County of Santa Clara, California, Winner of the PESP Silver Tier Shinning Star Award: for its continued commitment to education and the adoption of a reduced-risk approach to park and urban landscape management. In the 50,000 acre county park system, approximately 83% of road right-of-way vegetation and 75% of its 27 parks are managed using non-chemical pest control methods.
- IPM Institute of North America, Wisconsin, Winner of the Sustained Excellence in IPM Award: for creating and marketing its innovative program for IPM certification for schools and pest management companies. Through the Institute’s IPM Star program, many schools are adopting IPM practices and reducing pesticide risk, and the Institute’s Green Shield Certified program for pest management companies is certifying verified practitioners of advanced IPM methods.
PestWise is a collaborative suite of agency programs that promote environmental innovation in pest management where we live, work, learn, play, and farm. The awards serve to encourage participation of IPM-related organizations, promote IPM accomplishments, and recognize organizations that foster collaborative solutions to pest management challenges.
For more information about the 2012 PestWise Awards, visit www.epa.gov/pestwise/awards/2012.html.