California Ag Network

Tag: DPR

  • Citrus Biological Control Task Force Wins Integrated Pest Management Award

    Sacramento, Calif., (February 26, 2018) – The California Citrus Research Board (CRB) has received an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Achievement Award for its work in establishing biological controls for the Asian citrus psyllid.

    Joint ACP Biocontrol Task Force honorees this month at the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s annual integrated pest management awards ceremony. From left, Dr. Mark Hoddle of UC Riverside, Dr. Gregory Simmons of USDA, Dr. David Morgan of CDFA, Department of Pesticide Regulation director Brian Leahy, and Jim Gorden, chair of the task force.

    The awards, bestowed annually by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), recognize organizations that use IPM to address the diverse pest management needs throughout California. IPM is a tool that allows the management of pests by using natural and preventative strategies, and thus reducing the use of chemical pesticides.

    In 2010, the CRB established a task force to help control an invasive insect pest called Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), a serious threat to the citrus industry. Psyllids can infect citrus trees with a bacteria that causes huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening disease. There is no cure for HLB and it is fatal to trees. The CRB Joint Agency Biological Control Task Force is comprised of CDFA, the University of California-Riverside, the USDA and Cal Poly-Pomona.

    Instead of relying solely on conventional pesticides to fight the psyllid, the task force developed a program using natural predators as a means of reducing ACP populations. The task force imported, reared and studied parasitic wasps from Pakistan that kill ACPs. These wasps are a key part of the first biocontrol program that successfully targeted and reduced ACP populations in urban areas and citrus orchards, in some cases replacing pesticide applications at sensitive urban sites. The project has been successfully implemented in eight counties – San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, and Santa Barbara.

    The CRB officially received recognition from DPR earlier this month at an awards ceremony in Sacramento.

  • 2017 IPM Achievement Award Winners Announced

    Sacramento, Calif., (February 14, 2018) – The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), will honor four organizations for their achievements in reducing risk from pesticide use in a public ceremony on Feb. 12, 2018.

    “The variety of award winners this year demonstrates that pests—both in agricultural and urban settings—can be managed successfully using effective, low-risk methods,” said DPR Director Brian Leahy. “Integrated pest management is fundamental for managing pests thoughtfully and effectively in California.”

    Director Leahy will present the awards at 1:30 p.m. in the Sierra Hearing Room, California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) at 1001 I St. in Sacramento. The ceremony will be webcast at https://video.calepa.ca.gov.

    The IPM Achievement Awards recognize organizations that use integrated pest management (IPM) to address the diverse pest management needs throughout California. IPM is a tool that allows people to manage pests by using natural and preventative strategies, and thus reduces the use of chemical pesticides. The awards will be given in the areas of innovation, leadership, and education and outreach.

    The 2017 IPM Achievement Award Winners are:

    The Citrus Research Board Joint Agency Biological Control Task Force – In 2010, the Citrus Research Board (CRB) established a task force to help control an invasive insect pest called Asian citrus psyllid (ACP), a serious threat to the $3 billion California citrus industry. ACPs, which are as small as a grain of rice, can infect backyard citrus trees (and potentially commercial orchards) with a bacteria that causes a devastating plant disease called Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening disease. There is no cure for HLB and it is fatal to trees. The CRB Joint Agency Biological Control Task Force was created and is comprised of the Citrus Research Board, California Department of Food & Agriculture, University of California-Riverside, the United States Department of Agriculture and Cal Poly-Pomona.

    Instead of relying solely on conventional pesticides to fight this insect, the task force developed a program using natural predators as a means of reducing ACP populations. The Task Force imported, reared and studied parasitic wasps from Pakistan that kill ACPs. These wasps are a key part of the first biocontrol program that successfully targeted and reduced ACP populations in urban areas and citrus orchards while replacing large-scale, pesticide-driven campaigns in sensitive urban sites. At this time, the project has been successfully implemented in several counties, including Imperial, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties. The award categories are for innovation and leadership. Media interested in this project may directly contact Carolina Evangelo at 559.738.0246 and carolina@citrusresearch.org.

    Hines Landscaping San Francisco – Four horticultural professionals managing indoor plants in commercial buildings and outdoor gardens in San Francisco make up Hines Landscaping San Francisco. In the 1990’s, Hines Landscaping began transitioning to sustainable landscaping practices in an effort to reduce its chemical footprint. One successful tactic has been to replace synthetic fertilizers by feeding plants a compost tea. To achieve this, the company developed its own vermiculture program, where worms are fed green waste and restaurant scraps from their buildings. The resulting compost tea, applied to plants, has helped to reduce the number of insects and mites attracted to the plants. Today, Hines Landscaping manages its pest flare-ups with strategic pruning, biological controls and using the least toxic chemicals. Its outdoor gardens contain native and drought-tolerant plants chosen to reduce pests while supporting pollinators and beneficial insects. In addition, Hines Landscaping hosts several tours of its gardens and facilities annually to share their innovative pest management practices. Tour attendees include schoolchildren, college students and professional groups. Encouraged by their parent company, Hines Landscaping speaks to other building managers at workshops and forums worldwide to share its innovative pest management practices. The award category is for leadership. Media interested in this project may directly contact Shirley Vaughan at 415-398-8655 and shirley.vaughan@hines.com.

    Manteca Unified School District Operations Department – The Operations Department of Manteca Unified School District has helped to improve field conditions for student athletes while reducing the amount of chemical pesticides it uses to tackle harmful pests. These pests include gophers, insects and weeds on school landscaping areas and athletic fields. The department maintains almost 700 acres of property at 32 campuses. In 2014, the proliferation of gopher mounds was an increasing problem on the athletic fields. This led to a dangerous situation for student athletes and increasing reports of injuries suffered from gopher holes and uneven landscapes. Rather than increase the amount of pesticides applied, the Operations Department adjusted its gopher management strategy and started a large-scale gopher-trapping program. By 2016, the Operations Department had cut the number of gopher-targeted pesticide applications in half from their 2014 peak use. Their efforts resulted in the complete elimination of pesticide use for gopher management in 2017. An added bonus was that the money saved by switching to the trapping program was re-invested into repairing the district’s athletic fields! The Operations Department shares its success story with their school community and other school districts throughout the state. The award category is for leadership. Media interested in this project may directly contact John A. Lopez, Supervisor of Grounds, Fields & Landscape Services, at (209) 858-0712 and jlopez@musd.net.

    Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District – The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District protects the public from mosquitoes, rats, fire ants, and flies on private and public properties such as residential homes, golf courses, parks, rights-of-way, and schools. Between 2014 and 2015, Orange County experienced a period of increased West Nile Virus infections and detected invasive Aedes mosquitoes—a pest that can potentially transmit Zika, dengue fever or other mosquito-borne diseases. In response to this health issue, the district coordinated a campaign to improve communication and community engagement, increase risk awareness, and reduce mosquito populations rather than relying solely on synthetic pesticides to battle mosquitoes. The district implemented a new strategy to train teams that went door-to-door to inspect properties for mosquitoes and educated residents about draining standing water to reduce breeding locations for the pest. From 2015 to 2017, teams inspected more than 40,000 properties. The award category is for education and outreach. Media interested in this project may directly contact Lora Young at (714) 971-2421 x 115 and lyoung@ocvcd.org.

    For more information, see the 2017 IPM Achievement Awards.

    Visit our IPM Achievement Awards webpage.

  • California Pursues New Health Protections on Chlorpyrifos

    Sacramento, Calif., (August 24, 2017) – The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) announced today that both the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment are pursuing health protections on one of the most widely used agricultural pesticides in the nation, chlorpyrifos.

    The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) released today an updated draft risk assessment for public comment. This action marks the start of a public and scientific review of the document, which could lead to increased restrictions on chlorpyrifos statewide. DPR is currently developing interim restrictions on use of the pesticide and recommendations will be made to county agricultural commissioners next month.

    In addition, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is referring chlorpyrifos for potential listing as a developmental toxicant under Proposition 65. OEHHA today posted an announcement that the state’s Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee will consider the listing of chlorpyrifos at its next public meeting.

    “While chlorpyrifos has been protecting crops for more than 50 years, new information in the scientific community leads us to believe the level of risk it poses is greater than previously known,” said CalEPA Secretary Matthew Rodriquez. “We need to better understand the science to ensure our actions protect public health. The actions we are taking today reflect our commitment to the health and safety of all Californians, and the environment.”

    DPR scientists believe chlorpyrifos may pose a public health risk as a toxic air contaminant based on its assessment of the latest studies in the scientific community. However, this new finding, indicated in the updated draft risk assessment has not been peer reviewed and must go through a public comment period and be independently evaluated by other scientists.

    On Sept. 15, DPR will hold a public workshop on the updated draft risk assessment at the Pesticide Registration and Evaluation Committee meeting in Sacramento.

    After the 45-day written public comment period, which begins today, DPR’s updated draft risk assessment will go before an independent panel of nine scientists known as the Scientific Review Panel (SRP). The thorough review process, which may ultimately lead to more restrictions on use, may conclude in December 2018.

    Next month, DPR will provide county agricultural commissioners with specific interim recommendations, including:

    • Increasing distances between sites where the chemical is applied and sensitive locations, such as homes and schools. These would be specific to each type of application method.
    • New restrictions on methods used to apply chlorpyrifos.

    OEHHA will soon open a written public comment period on scientific materials that describe the evidence for the developmental toxicity of chlorpyrifos. OEHHA will provide the materials and the written public comments to the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee. The committee is an independent panel of 10 scientific experts that determines whether chemicals are added to the Proposition 65 list as causing birth defects and other reproductive harm. The committee will also consider public comments presented at its November 29 meeting.

    If the committee adds chlorpyrifos to the Proposition 65 list as a developmental toxicant, businesses that knowingly cause exposures above minimum levels must provide a Proposition 65 warning.

    DPR’s updated draft risk assessment and other documents relating to chlorpyrifos are available at:

    http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/whs/active_ingredient/chlorpyrifos.htm

    OEHHA’s notice of the Nov. 29 meeting of the Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee concerning chlorpyrifos is available at: www.oehha.ca.gov.

  • 2016 Air Monitoring Shows Pesticides Below Health Screening Levels

    Sacramento, Calif., (August 24, 2017) – The latest air monitoring results released from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) show that, for the second year in a row, all of the pesticides monitored were found below levels that indicate a health concern or need for further evaluation.

    “Air monitoring is an important tool used to ensure that the California’s vigorous pesticide regulatory program is working to protect human health as legal pesticides are applied to produce food and fiber” said Brian Leahy, Director of DPR.

    Highlights of the 2016 draft air monitoring report shows that of the 37 chemicals (32 pesticides and five breakdown products) that are monitored:

    • 12 were not be detected at all
    • 14 were only detected at trace levels and 11 were detected at quantifiable levels
    • Of the 5,928 analyses[1]conducted, 91.0% had no detectable concentrations

    California is the only state that monitors air as part of its continuous reevaluation of pesticides to ensure the protection of workers, public health and the environment. The pesticides monitored were selected based primarily on potential risk to human health. They include all the major fumigants and many organophosphates.

    As part of the air monitoring network, DPR monitors and analyzes pesticides in three communities: Salinas (Monterey County), Shafter (Kern County) and Ripon (San Joaquin County).

    Additionally, the Air Resources Board, at DPR’s request, monitors for three fumigant pesticides in three other communities: Ventura, Santa Maria (Santa Barbara County) and Watsonville (Santa Cruz County).

    The air-monitoring network, the first of its kind in the nation, was created in 2011 to expand DPR’s knowledge of long-term exposure to pesticides. The data from the network helps DPR determine if additional protective measures are needed.

    As announced in January 2017, DPR has expanded the air-monitoring network in order to obtain more data from more locations. All eight locations will monitor 31 pesticides and five pesticide breakdown products at all sites for two more years. At the end of this period DPR will evaluate and determine the need and scope for the air-monitoring network.

  • California Announces Revised Proposed Rules on Agricultural Pesticide Use Near Schools and Child Day-care Centers

    Sacramento, Calif., (March 27, 2017) – The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) today released a revised proposal for regulating the use of agricultural pesticides near school sites and licensed child day care facilities. The department is inviting the public to comment on the revisions during a 15-day period.

    The revised draft regulation reflects extensive public input received during the most recent round of public review, which included three formal hearings and ended in December. The original proposal was issued in September 2016, after the department held a series of public workshops in five locations around the state.

    The proposed regulation would provide an extra measure of protection to public K-12 school sites and licensed child day care facilities from the risk of short-term pesticide exposure, and help increase communication between growers and school sites/licensed child day care facilities. It would also assist these sites in responding to inquiries and potential incidents.

    “We believe this regulation will provide Californians with probably the most robust protection in the nation for schoolchildren when agricultural pesticides are applied near their school,” said Brian Leahy, Director of DPR. “It simply makes it more difficult to create an unacceptable pesticide hazard at a school site.”

    The proposed regulation will affect about 3,500 public K-12 schools and licensed child day care facilities and involve approximately 2,500 growers in California. While many counties in California currently have varying requirements for notification of certain pesticide applications near schools, the proposed regulation would be the first statewide standard.

    The key revisions to the proposed regulation include:

    • Growers will not be required to notify school sites/licensed child day care facilities and the county agricultural commissioners (CACs) of pesticide applications made within a quarter mile of these facilities 48 hours before they occur. However, growers will still be required to provide annual notification of the pesticides expected to be applied within a quarter mile of these facilities. See example.
    • The revision also clarifies the definition of “school site” and other terms: For example, it makes clear that the regulations do not apply to school buses or vehicles not on school property, and that County Agricultural Commissioners (CACs) may identify an adjacent park used regularly by schools on the weekdays as part of a school site.
    • The regulation is anticipated to become effective January 1, 2018.

    A summary of the highlights of the revised school regulation is available.

    Any interested person can submit written comments on the proposed revisions to the regulation between March 20, 2017 and 5:00 p.m. on April 4, 2017 to dpr16004@cdpr.ca.gov. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to Ms. Linda Irokawa-Otani, Regulations Coordinator, Department of Pesticide Regulation, 1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4015, Sacramento, California 95812-4015. FAX: (916) 324-1491.

    Background

    The proposed regulation would:

    • Prohibit many pesticide applications within a quarter mile of public K-12 schools and child day care facilities from Monday through Friday between 6am and 6pm. These include all applications by aircraft, sprinklers, air-blast sprayers, and all fumigant applications. In addition, most dust and powder pesticide applications, such as sulfur, would be prohibited during this time.
    • Require California growers to annually notify public K-12 schools and licensed child day care facilities and the CAC about the pesticides expected to be used within a quarter mile of school sites and licensed child day care facilities.

    Each Annual Notification, PDF (846 kb) must list the pesticides expected to be used during the upcoming July through June period. This list must be provided to the school principal or child day care facility administrator by April 30 each year.

    The notice must include among other things:

    • The name of pesticide products (and the main active ingredient) to be used
    • A map showing the location of the field to be treated
    • Contact information for the grower/operator and the CAC
    • The website address for the National Pesticide Information Center where additional information on pesticides may be obtained

    The regulation also includes a provision that allows flexibility to accommodate extracurricular activities and other factors. Public K-12 schools /licensed child day care facilities and growers may develop alternative arrangements that provide equal or more protection than the regulation, but it must be in writing and approved by the CAC.

    More details on the regulation.

  • California Announces Revised Proposed Rules on Agricultural Pesticide Use Near Schools and Child Day-care Centers

    Sacramento, Calif., (March 22, 2017) – The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) released a revised proposal for regulating the use of agricultural pesticides near school sites and licensed child day care facilities.  The department is inviting the public to comment on the revisions during a 15-day period.

    The revised draft regulation reflects extensive public input received during the most recent round of public review, which included three formal hearings and ended in December. The original proposal was issued in September 2016, after the department held a series of public workshops in five locations around the state.

    The proposed regulation would provide an extra measure of protection to public K-12 school sites and licensed child day care facilities from the risk of short-term pesticide exposure, and help increase communication between growers and school sites/licensed child day care facilities. It would also assist these sites in responding to inquiries and potential incidents.

    We believe this regulation will provide Californians with probably the most robust protection in the nation for schoolchildren when agricultural pesticides are applied near their school. It simply makes it more difficult to create an unacceptable pesticide hazard at a school site.

    The proposed regulation will affect about 3,500 public K-12 schools and licensed child day care facilities and involve approximately 2,500 growers in California. While many counties in California currently have varying requirements for notification of certain pesticide applications near schools, the proposed regulation would be the first statewide standard.

    The key revisions to the proposed regulation include:

    Growers will not be required to notify school sites/licensed child day care facilities and the county agricultural commissioners (CACs) of pesticide applications made within a quarter mile of these facilities 48 hours before they occur. However, growers will still be required to provide annual notification of the pesticides expected to be applied within a quarter mile of these facilities.  See example

    The revision also clarifies the definition of “school site” and other terms: For example, it makes clear that the regulations do not apply to school buses or vehicles not on school property, and that County Agricultural Commissioners (CACs) may identify an adjacent park used regularly by schools on the weekdays as part of a school site.

    The regulation is anticipated to become effective January 1, 2018.

    A summary of the highlights of the revised school regulation is available here .

    Any interested person can submit written comments on the proposed revisions to the regulation between March 20, 2017 and 5:00 p.m. on April 4, 2017 to  dpr16004@cdpr.ca.gov. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to Ms. Linda Irokawa-Otani, Regulations Coordinator, Department of Pesticide Regulation, 1001 I Street, P.O. Box 4015, Sacramento, California 95812-4015. FAX: (916) 324-1491.

    The proposed regulation would:

    • Prohibit many pesticide applications within a quarter mile of public K-12 schools and child day care facilities from Monday through Friday between 6am and 6pm. These include all applications by aircraft, sprinklers, air-blast sprayers, and all fumigant applications. In addition, most dust and powder pesticide applications, such as sulfur, would be prohibited during this time.
    • Require California growers to annually notify public K-12 schools and licensed child day care facilities and the CAC about the pesticides expected to be used within a quarter mile of school sites and licensed child day care facilities.

    Each annual notification, PDF (846 kb) must list the pesticides expected to be used during the upcoming July through June period. This list must be provided to the school principal or child day care facility administrator by April 30 each year.

    The notice must include among other things:

    • The name of pesticide products (and the main active ingredient) to be used
    • A map showing the location of the field to be treated
    • Contact information for the grower/operator and the CAC
    • The website address for the National Pesticide Information Center where additional information on pesticides may be obtained

    The regulation also includes a provision that allows flexibility to accommodate extracurricular activities and other factors. Public K-12 schools /licensed child day care facilities and growers may develop alternative arrangements that provide equal or more protection than the regulation, but it must be in writing and approved by the CAC.

  • Emergency Orchard Fungicide Applications Authorized by DPR

    Read Official Document Here

    February 17, 2017

    TO: County Agricultural Commissioners of Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Sutter, Tehama, Yolo, Yuba Counties

    SUBJECT: EMERGENCY APPLICATION OF FUNGICIDES TO ORCHARDS WITH STANDING WATER

    County Agricultural Commissioners have notified the Department of Pesticide Regulation that there is a need for emergency aerial applications of fungicides to orchards with standing water because the unusual wet weather throughout the Sacramento Valley has made ground applications difficult, at best. Significant economic crop losses are expected if these applications are not made. Therefore, we are authorizing the emergency application of several fungicides to orchards with standing water only. This will be in effect until June 1, 2017.

    The label must provide for use of the material on the intended crop. Products containing one or more of the following fungicide active ingredients may be applied to orchards with standing water: alumino tris (o-ethyl phosphonate), azoxystrobin, calcium polysulfide, captan, chlorothalonil, copper, copper oxychloride, copper hydroxide, cyprodinil, difenoconazole, iprodione, fenbuconazole, fenhexamid,fluopyram, mancozeb, metalaxyl, myclobutanil, propiconazole, pyrimethanil, tebuconazole, thiophanate-methyl, trifloxystrobin and the combination of boscalid and pyraclostrobin (trade name Pristine) and the combination of pyraclostrobin and fluxapyroxad (trade name Merivon). These labels contain precautionary statements that warn against application to water and indicate that drift or runoff may be hazardous to fish and other aquatic organisms. Applications shall not be made, that may cause state waterways to be contaminated.

    The Department of Pesticide Regulation has notified the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and does not expect that these uses will result in adverse effects to fish and wildlife providing the following conditions are met:

    1. Water must be standing and will not flow into state waterways where fish and wildlife are likely to be affected. Applications are not allowed if water is flowing off the intended application site.

    2. Standing water will not be pumped from the orchard after the fungicide application. 3. Applications are made in accordance with all other label directions.

    No fungicide application shall occur if:

    1. Soil moisture is at field capacity and a storm event, forecasted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) or National Weather Service (NWS), is to occur within 48 hours following application; or

     

    2. A storm event likely to produce runoff from the treated area is forecasted by NOAA/NWS to occur within 48 hours following the application.

    Growers shall be responsible for determining which orchards meet the above criteria. The commissioner is to assure, insofar as possible, that the required conditions are met. To ensure standing water remains on site, DPR requests CAC staff conduct additional inspections to flooded orchards during this timeframe.

    If you have any questions, please contact your Enforcement Branch Liaison assigned to your county.

    Sincerely,

    Original Signature Regina Sarracino for:

    Donna Marciano
    Branch Chief, Enforcement Branch 916-324-4100

    cc: Ms. Stella McMillin, Department of Fish and Wildlife
    Mr. George Farnsworth, DPR Associate Director
    Mr. Joe Marade, DPR Agricultural Commissioner Liaison
    Ms. Pamela Wofford, DPR Environmental Program Manager I Mr. Ken Everett, DPR Environmental Program Manager I

  • Moths, Leafhoppers, Wasps…Oh My! Six California Projects that Reduce Pesticide Use

    Sacramento, Calif., (January 26, 2017) – The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) at a Jan. 26 award ceremony will recognize several organizations for projects aimed at managing pests while using fewer pesticides. The awards recognize innovation, leadership, education and outreach by California based organizations that carry out pest management.

    The six projects use integrated pest management (IPM) to manage pests, combining preventive and natural strategies such as releasing of parasitic insects and providing habitat for natural predators.

    “Integrated pest management is an important tool in today’s society. I am impressed with the honorees’ creativity in finding solutions to pest problems without an overreliance on chemical methods” said DPR Director Brian Leahy.

    Leahy will present the IPM Achievement Awards at 1:30 p.m. in the Sierra Hearing Room at the California Environmental Protection Agency headquarters, 1001 I St. in Sacramento.

    This year’s award-winning projects are:

    The Cherry Buckskin Project. Coordinated by the University of California Cooperative Extension, Contra Costa County Department of Agriculture and cherry growers, this project helps to prevent the establishment in Contra Costa County of cherry buckskin disease, which can wipe out entire orchards. It includes tree monitoring, removal of infected trees, and grower education, such as discouraging planting of ornamental plants that can host buckskin-disease-carrying insects called leafhoppers. Media interested in this project can contact Janet Caprile at jlcaprile@ucdavis.edu, or (925) 646-6129.

     

    Virginia Creeper Leafhopper Project. The UC Cooperative Extension and Fetzer Vineyards have teamed up to manage a pest known as a Virginia creeper leafhopper in Lake and Mendocino county vineyards. The project involves teaching growers to identify the insects and the use of IPM practices such as releasing tiny parasitic wasps. The wasps lay their eggs in leafhopper eggs, destroying them before they hatch. Media interested in this project can contact Glenn McGourty at gtmcgourty@ucanr.edu or (707) 463-4495.

    Riverside Unified School District IPM. This program trains custodians, food service workers, and teachers how to keep pests out of buildings, and to manage weeds and rodents without depending on regular pesticide sprays. The comprehensive program includes hiring an in-house IPM technician, continuous staff training, monthly custodial support meetings, and a class in green cleaning. The district has cut the number of cleaning products it uses, and has decreased pesticide use by approximately 70 percent. Media interested in this project can contact Eric Troxel at etroxel@rusd.k12.ca.us or (951) 377-2573.

    The Pink Bollworm Program. This project involves introducing sterile pink bollworm moths to fields to disrupt the pests’ ability to reproduce and spread in California’s main cotton-growing regions. The program reduces dependence on pesticides and has prevented pink bollworm moths from becoming established in California’s major cotton region without the use of conventional pesticides for more than 40 years. It is organized by the California Cotton Pest Control Board, California Department of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Plant Health Inspection Service, and the National Cotton Council. Media interested in this project can contact Michelle Dennis at Michelle.Dennis@cdfa.ca.gov or (916) 262-1102.

    San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. The airport authority is being recognized for its work with a pest control contractor and the University of California to educate employees and airport-based businesses on identifying, preventing, and reporting pest problems using a computer app. The program credited with decreasing the presence of rodents. Media interested in this project can contact Rebecca Bloomfield at rbloomfi@san.org or (619) 400-2880.

    San Luis Obispo County’s Project Apis m. This project funds honey bee research and education to protect bees. One undertaking provides almond growers with hedgerow seeds. The hedgerows provide habitat for bees as well as natural predatory insects beneficial in managing plant pests. Media interested in this project can contact Billy Synk at billy@projectapism.org or (614) 330-6932.

     

    If you plan to attend the award ceremony, you can find directions to the CalEPA building.

    The ceremony will be webcast at https://video.calepa.ca.gov.

    For more information, see our IPM Achievement Award web page.