A Bee- Friendly Garden is a Pesticide- Free Garden
Did you know that there are over 500 species of native bees in Illinois? You can help create a safe place for bees to rest and nest in your garden by creating habitat and providing abundant food sources. Check out our newest fact sheets for some tips on how to do that. |
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Boulder, Colorado Is Inspired by SPCP's Campaign “A Healthy Park is a Natural Park”
Check out Boulder’s new campaign that uses SPCP’s successful campaign for the Chicago Park District. We are very proud that our messaging on this issue is influencing other communities. |
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Rachel Rosenberg, Executive Director, featured in Chicago Tribune about Natural Lawn Care Trend
The front page of the Saturday, June 11th edition Chicago Tribune featured Executive Director, Rachel Rosenberg, discussing Natural Lawn Care as a trend. We hope that you can use the resources on our website to help you make a change to natural lawn care and encourage your city and park district to reduce their pesticide use.
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Dandelion: friend or foe?
Watch Executive Director, Rachel Rosenberg, on WTTW's Chicago Tonight and Listen to Podcast on WGN Radio
Dandelions are popping up around Chicago, especially in Chicago's parks. Rachel explains how dandelions are a sign that pesticides are not being used on a lawn, meaning it is safer for children and pets. Watch the news story. Also listen to her interview on WGN Radio with Mike McConnell (interview starts at 15:45 in podcast).
Not a fan of dandelions in your yard? A lawn maintained with natural lawn care has fewer weed issues and is a healthier lawn overall. Natural lawn care is not the same as no lawn care. Learn more about natural lawn care through our fact sheets.
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Pesticide Free Zone
Do you have your Pesticide Free Zone sign?
Let everyone know that your yard is pesticide free and pet and child friendly by posting a pesticide free zone sign. You can post these signs at schools, parks, and businesses. Click here to purchase online, or use our order form.
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OrderForm.pdf |
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Natural Lawn Care for Everyone
New Article by Executive Director, Rachel Rosenberg
Learn the basic steps for a safe and healthy lawn through Rachel's new article in TribLocal. |
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Public Right-To-Know and Lawn Care
Law gives right to pesticide notification, recommends natural lawn care
Do know about that Natural Lawn Care is recommended for schools and childcares in Illinois? Did you know that you have the right to be notified before your neighbor sprays pesticides on their lawns? The fact sheet Laws to Protect You From Outdoor Pesticides explains how changes to Illinois law improve your right-to-know and impact lawn care on public and private property. |
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Spray Drift Education Network
Has your garden been affected by a neighbor's use of pesticides?
Spray Drift Education Network is a new grassroots organization whose mission is to
educate people about the issue of chemical and pesticide drift and help them respond appropriately when chemical drift occurs.
The website (spraydriftillinois.com) has complete information on how to file a claim, an important first step in bringing this problem to the Department of Agriculture's attention.
Though most people might think pesticide drift is primarily a problem in rural Illinois, half of the current complaints regarding the misuse of pesticides (primarily lawn care pesticides) are generated in urban areas according to the Illinois Department of Agriculture. So, for all of you citizens out there, report, report, report and we can get some better laws into place to protect us from involuntary pesticide exposure.
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Can lawns lead to climate change?
New study finds fossil fuel use outweighs benefits
It turns out lawns are not so green afterall, but there is hope!
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Growing Weed-Free Without Pesticides
Interview with ED Rachel Rosenberg
In an interview with Rosemary Piser of e-News Park Forest, SPCP Executive Director Rachel Rosenberg discussed how to maintain weed free lawns without pesticides.
Natural Lawn Care: Growing Weed-Free Without Pesticides |
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Natural Lawn Care Reduces Inputs, Saves Money
Harvard lawn study eliminated pesticides, saved water and recycled landscape waste
An article in the New York Times highlighted Harvard University's efforts to transform 16 acres of heavily used lawn from a sythetic to an all natural lawn care program. The results have been astounding.
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Zero Input Lawns Changing the Landscape
New grass blends require little time, chemicals and money
Tired of sinking money into your lawn? New mixes of grass seed that re duce lawn care maintenance costs are becoming increasingly available. Retailers claim these products require little to no fertilizer, and in many cases need no additional water - even during periods of drought. The result is an aesthetically pleasing, and slow growing, lawn that fills in just as nicely as your neighbor's.
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Beautiful lawns, gardens and parks can be maintained without using pesticides.
Pesticides kill indiscriminately, killing pests along with their natural insect predators. This leads to the irony of pesticide use: once insect predators are eliminated, pest populations grow unchecked - leading to ever-greater pesticide applications. Utilizing the basic principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), you can take charge of your home and garden without the use of pesticides and inspire others to do the same.
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