Clear and succinct NLC and IPM programs help avoid accidental pesticide exposure to children, workers and other non-target subjects by setting guidelines for pesticide application, storage, disposal and notification. When in doubt, always follow the label.
Ken Wexler, the park planner for Glenview Park District, credits a Park Board member and the Superintendent of Parks for leading the adoption and implementation of the Park District’s current IPM program. The IPM program adheres to two of the Park District’s guiding principles of providing safe parks and contributing to environmental stewardship.
“To provide a safe park, we wanted to get a better handle on what products we were using and what we were exposing the public too,” said Wexler.
To get a better handle, Glenview Park District had each facility take an inventory of pesticide products by recording the product name, active ingredient and the EPA signal word. the district eliminated the most toxic products (e.g. signal words of DANGER or WARNING) after taking inventory.
“I think our staff appreciates that we are working with products with less toxicity,” said Wexler.
The district has replaced the more toxic products with safer organic, such as Phydura and Avenger, and EPA Reduced Risk alternatives. This step has helped Wexler implement NLC for approximately 90 to 95 percent of Glenview parks.
“There’s always room for improvement and we’re always looking for ways to improve,” Wexler explained. “We’re not there yet, but we’re trying to stay on the right path.”
All pesticide applications should adhere to federal and state laws and all applicators should receive a license from the state authority in charge of licensing. In addition, track the following application factors:
John Gishnock the owner of Formecology, LLC said that “creating more inherent company-wide knowledge about chemicals and how we use them safely has become much more top-of-mind” for his company, especially after the IARC classified glyphosate as a probable carcinogen.
Formecology uses the glyphosate product Rodeo in their management of shoreline invasive weeds such as phragmites, reed canarygrass or purple loosestrife. Gishnock has continued to identify strategies for responsible use of glyphosate products as opposed to eliminating this chemical that he views as an essential to their shoreline management program.
“We need it as a tool, but we don’t want it to have greater negative impact than it needs to,” Gishnock elaborated.
Following the IARC classification, Gishnock invited a Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection official to check on their pesticide procedures and processes. Formecology passed the inspection with no violations.
To ensure minimal impact, Formecology requires all applicators to be licensed by the State of Wisconsin and prohibits spraying on days with projected 20% rain, dew on the ground or wind above 10-15 miles per hour.
A program should designate specific buildings for the storage of pesticides and fertilizers and ensure the layout, construction material and accessories of the building limit accidents.
Never dispose of pesticides on or near the ground, water, storm drains or septic tanks. Keep the label on the product and either ask the pesticide company to dispose or use a state “Clean Sweep” program.
NotificationFollow state guidelines and notify the public of any pesticide application on authority property. The IPM Institute recommends posting a 4” by 5” sign similar to the image on the right around the perimeter of the treated area no more than 50 feet apart.