Public Spaces
Right of Ways are not public spaces. Go to the "What You Can Do" page or our blog to find out about the NSTAR plan to spray along their electrical right of way. They have already sprayed on part of the Cape, and will do the entire Cape at some point. Act Now!
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Natural Turf Management: A Systems Approach
Wednesday, November 9th, 8:00-3:00
Barnstable Town HallHearing Room (2nd flr.)
367 Main Street Hyannis, MA (behind the Post Office)
Pre-Registration Required (Deadline Oct.26)
MA Pesticide, MCLP, & NOFA Credits Pending
• Click here to download workshop schedule
€ Click here to download workshop schedule.
Did you know? Municipalities could save up to 25% annually after establishing a natural turf management program? While the cost of an organic program is incrementally higher in the first two years, as soil life rebounds and water requirements begin to diminish, total expenditures over five years are reduced 7%. After five years, when the natural system is restored, towns could save more than 25%, and have healthy and attractive green lawns and turf. GreenCAPE is initiating a Cape-wide Municipal Organic Land Care Training Program. The training will outline standards of practice that could be easily implemented by municipalities to protect the Cape¹s water supplies and eventually save the towns money.
We will provide training to municipal grounds keepers involved in turf management through a day-long workshop with nationally recognized organic lawn/turf expert Chip Osborne. Municipal maintenance staff will have the opportunity to be instructed in the simple steps to transitioning to an organic turf management program at no cost to the town. (Town employees attend at no cost; private town subcontractors will be charged a reduced fee of $100) In addition, four towns could be offered the bonus of a mentoring program with the instructor in the upcoming 2012 season. This would involve technical assistance, on-site visits, and review of turf management programs. The instructor will also review how this natural approach can save significant money for the town. The workshop on natural turf management will focus not on products, but on the establishment of healthy soil and dense turf that naturally resists insects, weeds and disease. In addition to reducing chemical pesticide impacts to public health and the environment, this natural approach reduces nitrogen and phosphorus loading to waterways, conserves valuable water resources, protects our marine life and related tourist economy.
Please see the attached program description and register all members of your grounds staff or subcontractors your town customarily uses to maintain town properties by the registration deadline October 26. MA Pesticide, MCLP, and NOFA credits pending. ($25 for CEUs).
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Overkill: Why Pesticide Spraying for West Nile Virus May Cause More Harm Than Good.
A 2001 Report by Toxics Action Center and Maine Environmental Policy Institute, the report is available on either website. There is a 2003 update from California.
www.meepi.org/ Maine Environmental Policy Institute
www.toxicsaction.org/ Toxics Action Center
Of Special Note:
Rachel Carson's Birthday is May 27, and the Rachel Carson Council needs you to get your town or school to sign the proclamation for a pesticide free day on May 27. Then make them publicize it like they mean it!
http://www.rachelcarsoncouncil.org/index.php?page=help-promote-rachel-carson-day
Click here to read and download a sample pesticide free spaces proclamation. Have your town officials sign it and send it to the Rachel Carson Council.