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SPCP in the News
Watch Executive Director Rachel Rosenberg discussing dandelions in the City of Chicago parks, and listen to her discuss dandelions with Mike McConnell on this WGN Podcast (Rachel starts at 15:45). |
Lawns to Lakes: Natural Lawn Care Worshop is a Hit
with Attendees
More than 100 participants from lawn care companies,
municipalities, schools, homeowner associations and community organizations gathered on March 23rd for a day-long conference on Natural Lawn Care at Oakton
Community College. This seminar was funded through a
grant from the U.S. EPA's Great Lakes Regional Initiative (GLRI). It delivered cutting-edge information on Natural Lawn Care (NLC) while emphasizing that what we put on our lawns ends up in our watersheds due to runoff and has a significant impact on the health of our communities. Through comprehensive presentations by noted lawn care expert, Chip Osborne, and other speakers, attendees learned the basics of NLC as well as the benefits and challenges of integrating NLC into a lawn care program. Through educational events such as this conference, Safer Pest Control Project helps to build capacity within the green industry and our communities to promote the reduction of pesticide use on lawns and landscapes. |
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With a wide range of expertise, speakers and sponsors presented a full day of sessions on Natural Lawn Care.
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Busy with Bed Bugs
Safer Pest Control Project continues to develop programs and policies for the prevention and eradication of bed bugs for the City of Chicago and State of Illinois. Not only does SPCP work with the
City of Chicago as its designated agency addressing
the resurgence of bed bugs, Executive Director
Rachel Rosenberg also serves as a member of the
Bed Bug Task Force for the State of Illinois. The
Task Force is a group of industry and government
experts charged with developing and presenting
to legislators a comprehensive series of guidelines
and recommendations for the State to address the
increasing problem of bed bugs. Coordinated by the
Illinois Department of Public Health, the Task Force is
currently conducting a series of meetings throughout
the state.
SPCP fact sheets on bed bugs are now featured on the City of Chicago's website. This enables SPCP to reach an even broader audience of concerned citizens with vital and timesensitive information on protecting themselves from bed bugs and the importance of reducing pesticide use.
Senior Program Associate Holly Thompson attended the two-day U.S. EPA Bed Bug Summit in D.C. This
conference focused on general education and featured
small breakout sessions that allowed for an exchange of
ideas and concerns. It was a great opportunity to share
SPCP's experiences and efforts in Chicago. |
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Coming Attraction
Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and Safer Pest Control Project are collaborating on developing a novel environmental health training module for CPS staff, nurses and teachers. The module will be available online and will cover Integrated Pest Management (IPM), green cleaning, diesel exhaust and asthma management. The creation of the module is the culmination of 10 years of ongoing collaboration with CPS on IPM and other environmental health issues. This project is funded by a grant from the Centers for Disease Control.
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Website Provides New Resources
According to our recent survey, our free fact sheets are one of the most valued resources that we offer on our website. Not only does Safer Pest Control Project add new and updated fact sheets each year, the growing popularity of our website (www.spcpweb.org) and its free resources now have an international audience that helps spread the word about our work and about the importance of reducing pesticide use. Last year, SPCP had over 190,000 visitors to the website and over 6,500 fact sheets were downloaded.
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Save the Date!
 Please plan to join us for the 5th annual Ladybug Bash on Friday, November 4, 2011 at Evanston's SPACE for an evening of music, food, and a great silent auction. Last year's event raised more than $24,000 to help Safer Pest Control Project create healthier, pesticide-free schools, homes and outdoor spaces. We are looking for volunteers to help us plan this year's event. If you are interested in being on our Special Event Committee, please contact Kristin Weiss at kweiss@spcpweb.org or 773/878-7378 x 208.
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