Title
Resolution Urging the City to Compile and Disseminate Educational and Outreach Materials about Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Best Practices and Turf Grass Reduction Strategies to Owners of Turf-grass Areas within the City
Memorandum
The management of turf grass, including the overuse of pesticides to maintain turf grass, is inconsistent with the City’s Sustainability Framework goal of maintaining healthy ecosystems and appropriate stewardship of our natural resources. Members of the Ann Arbor Community have expressed their support for the Integrated Pest Management plan used by NAP and City Parks in the service of controlling invasive species and maintaining healthy and enjoyable public spaces, as well as NAP’s practice of converting some turf grass areas into prairie or areas with diverse native plants. However, the maintenance of turf grass and the unnecessary overuse of pesticides by property owners and businesses is still evident throughout the city, and members of the Ann Arbor Community have encouraged the City to take a stronger, proactive approach to this issue. The Environmental Commission, in response to these concerns, is recommending that the City compile and disseminate educational material about IPM best practices and successes in maintaining turf grass with minimal to no use of chemicals as well as information about how to replace some turf grass areas with diverse natural plantings. This educational material will be used to educate owners of turf-grass areas about IPM best practices and how to reduce turf grass areas.
Financial Impact: Minimal
Definition of Terms:
Pests are defined as any noxious/invasive plant, problem insect, plant disease, rodent, nematode or microorganism which is detrimental to the environment or the management plan for the selected facility.
Pesticides are defined as any synthetic chemical control of a pest, be it herbicide, fungicide or insecticide.
Staff
Sponsored by Councilmember Bannister; Ann Arbor Pollinator Subcommittee
Body
WHEREAS, the City of Ann Arbor’s Sustainability Framework contains the Healthy Ecosystems Goal to conserve, protect, enhance, and restore our aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, the Ann Arbor City Council designated Ann Arbor as a Bee City USA and is committed to working towards a pollinator-friendly community with the creation of the Pollinator Subcommittee; and
WHEREAS, to that end, the Natural Area Preservation and Parks Department have adopted an environmentally responsible Integrated Pest Management program that reduces both pests and pesticide risks by incorporating low-risk control options; and
WHEREAS, the City of Ann Arbor wishes to promote lawn care practices that minimize the use of pesticides, particularly of those materials or practices which can cause damage to wildlife and water resources; and
WHEREAS, it is evident that many areas of lawn across the City could be greatly reduced, resulting in very considerable cost savings in water use, fossil fuel use (mowing, etc.) and the use of pesticides; and
WHEREAS, the use of certain pesticides has been known or suspected to cause harm to people, pets and pollinators and is not necessary to grow and maintain green lawns and ornamental landscapes, given the availability of viable alternative practices and products; and
RESOLVED that the Environmental Commission urges the City to compile educational material about Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Best Practices and circulate these materials in the community;
RESOLVED, that the City adopts and follows current Parks Department IPM best practices on all City-owned properties;
RESOLVED that the Environmental Commission urges the City to identify owners of turf grass property for the purpose of outreach and education;
RESOLVED that the Environmental Commission urges the City to examine the possibility of implementing a certification program for chemical-free lawns that meet the standards set forth by the Parks Department IPM; and
RESOLVED that the Environmental Commission urges the City to encourage residents and business owners to not only use IPM but also reduce turf grass and replace it with diverse natural plantings.