Why did it take a group of citizens coming forward for us to recognize that we should be doing this? This is such common sense. - Irvine, California Mayor Christina Shea, upon passing their organic policy
DOCUMENTS FOR CITIES
Download these sample documents to send to your city council, city manager, and other officials. Use the flyer to share information with other residents and gain support.
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PESTICIDE FREE ZONES AND POLICIES
Municipalities, schools and universities all over the United States are restricting the use of toxic pesticides to protect public health and the environment. Here's a list of some of the more recent pilots, policies and programs popping up around the country. Is your community next?
Arizona
An organic policy, which is patterned on the policy adopted by Irvine, California in 2016, will be phased in a park at a time and the cost will be assessed after a year. Tucson will be the first in the state of Arizona to adopt an organics first policy.
California
- Burbank
CA Homeowners Associations
- Laguna Hills, Moulton Ranch HOA, California
- Talega Maintenance Corporation HOA, San Clemente
- Quail Hill Master HOA, Irvine, California (1,700 homes)
- Linden/Laurel (a Quail Hill sub-HOA) (183 homes)
- Jasmine (also a Quail Hill sub-HOA) (204 homes)
- Laguna Altura (500 homes)
Colorado
Boulder City is the first locality in Colorado to pass a comprehensive resolution restricting neonicotinoid use on government-owned property. After the 2016 growing season, no synthetic pesticides will be used for landscaping.
Connecticut
In 2017 Middletown voted to join several other Connecticut towns that no longer allow toxic pesticides on their municipally owned fields, parks and grounds. Adopted a non-toxic, organic program to control vegetation in 2018. Manage organically maintained edible plant and pollinator gardens as part of their landscaping.
Florida
Starting 2019, pesticides and fertilizers will be banned from being used during the rainy season between June and September.
In 2019 city commissioners approved a resolution prohibiting the city and its contractors from using herbicides containing glyphosate, including Roundup.
IPM policy that restricts highly toxic pesticides and urges pesticide use as a last resort. The city has asked contractors applying for the city’s landscaping business to use organic fertilizer and herbicides, without increasing costs. City commissioners voted to ban city use of the chemical glyphosate in 2018. They have directed staff to create an integrated pest management plan to reduce the use of glyphosate with the ultimate goal of eliminating chemicals.
In 2019 city commissioners approved a resolution prohibiting the city and its contractors from using herbicides containing glyphosate, including Roundup.
IPM policy that restricts highly toxic pesticides and urges pesticide use as a last resort. The city has asked contractors applying for the city’s landscaping business to use organic fertilizer and herbicides, without increasing costs. City commissioners voted to ban city use of the chemical glyphosate in 2018. They have directed staff to create an integrated pest management plan to reduce the use of glyphosate with the ultimate goal of eliminating chemicals.
Idaho
Pesticide free pilot program at Lillian Woodworth Otness Park adopted 2018 along with Almon Asbury Lieuallen Park.
Illinois
Restricts use of toxic pesticides on public property in favor of alternative, organic methods.Resolution promoting an IPM policy that restricts highly toxic pesticides and urges pesticide use as a last resort.Four parks began a pesticide free program beginning in 2019.
The 2017-2019 Sustainable Parks Initiative will include all playgrounds and eight park locations that will be maintained using organic products and sustainable practices. The eight parks encompass 75 acres. The City of Urbana and the Urbana Park District have just adopted a new lawn care initiative called "Midwest Grows Green," which will include the elimination of all synthetic pesticides on the city building's lawn, as well as reductions at all Urbana parks.
The 2017-2019 Sustainable Parks Initiative will include all playgrounds and eight park locations that will be maintained using organic products and sustainable practices. The eight parks encompass 75 acres. The City of Urbana and the Urbana Park District have just adopted a new lawn care initiative called "Midwest Grows Green," which will include the elimination of all synthetic pesticides on the city building's lawn, as well as reductions at all Urbana parks.
Iowa
Story County Conservation to eliminate the use of chemical pesticides in six of its mowed turf areas. There will be 42 acres of pesticide-free turf in total.
Kansas
Pesticide free parks.
City Commissioners discontinued a mosquito spraying program in 2018 due to resident's input.
City Commissioners discontinued a mosquito spraying program in 2018 due to resident's input.
Maine
In 2018 the city of Ellsworth contracted with an organic lawn care company in direct response to a Green Plan submission regarding the hazards of pesticides and herbicides. In 2014 a ballot initiative passed to ban toxic pesticide use on lawns and landscapes within the town’s jurisdiction. Portland City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that prohibits the use of synthetic pesticides for outdoor pest management on public and private property in 2018. Scarborough Town Council enacted a policy in 2011 to ban the use of certain synthetic pesticides on town property. In 2016 became the largest community in Maine to enact a ban on pesticides.
In 2018 the city of Ellsworth contracted with an organic lawn care company in direct response to a Green Plan submission regarding the hazards of pesticides and herbicides. In 2014 a ballot initiative passed to ban toxic pesticide use on lawns and landscapes within the town’s jurisdiction. Portland City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that prohibits the use of synthetic pesticides for outdoor pest management on public and private property in 2018. Scarborough Town Council enacted a policy in 2011 to ban the use of certain synthetic pesticides on town property. In 2016 became the largest community in Maine to enact a ban on pesticides.
Maryland
Montgomery County banned the use of pesticides on residential lawns in 2015 -- the strongest regulation of lawn pesticides in the country. The ban was challenged by the pesticide industry who seek to remove the right to local control of pesticides. In 2019, the county wide law was upheld by the state's highest court. As of the same year, the county has 45 pesticide free parks. The Takoma Park, Maryland City Council on July 22, 2013 unanimously passed the Safe Grow Act of 2013, which generally restricts the use of cosmetic lawn pesticides on both private and public property throughout the Maryland city.
Massachusetts
The Conservancy is committed to using organic practices. The cemetery staff has confirmed with us that they use only organic maintenance practices on their grounds. Harvard has a fully organic grounds management program.
- Natick
Minnesota
The city has a pesticide free parks pilot program.
New Hampshire
The City Council voted unanimously for a commitment to organic land management practices resolution in 2018. Dover uses steam for curbside weed control. The City Council voted overwhelmingly to adopt the state’s first ban on toxic pesticides by a municipality in 2017. Instead, the city will use organic products on city sidewalks and in city parks. In 2019, they began using a compost tea machine to enrich the health of their soil.
New Jersey
- Chatham
Nevada
Pesticide free parks throughout the city.
Ohio
The village has managed its more than 200 acres of property in and around town without the use of chemical pesticides since 2013.
Banned pesticides like Roundup on city-owned land.
Banned pesticides on public land in 1995.Has a local ordinance that prohibits the use of pesticides on county-owned land. They also have an Integrated Pest Management program.
Banned pesticides like Roundup on city-owned land.
Banned pesticides on public land in 1995.Has a local ordinance that prohibits the use of pesticides on county-owned land. They also have an Integrated Pest Management program.
Oregon
The city has 10 pesticide free neighborhood parks. Laurelwood Golf Course has transitioned away from chemical dependent practices and adopted an organic approach as well. There are several pesticide free parks in the city.The city is making a transition to organic park management beginning with a pilot program.
The city is a part of a three-year pilot project to transition to organic park management.
The city is a part of a three-year pilot project to transition to organic park management.
Pennsylvania
The Borough has stopped using Roundup in all public places in response to citizen concerns.
Washington
Pesticide free parks program. A restriction on glyphosate in 2019 is the latest in the City’s work to significantly reduce its use of pesticides since the 70s, including adopting a ban 10 years ago on the use of pesticides at over 250 playfields, picnic areas, community gardens, and play areas. Seattle currently has 22 pesticide-free parks.