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 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 Natural Area Preservation (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 Integrated Pest Management (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 about IPM best practices and how to reduce the environmental impacts associated with turf grass.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: The financial impact to compile and disseminate these educational materials is 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.
Pesti...
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