Organics in Our Midst
Myth or Possibility?
The Illinois Parks & Recreation magazine's spring addition will feature an article authored by SPCP. It explores some of the positive impacts of using organic products on school and park fields, including reductions in turf disease and pesticide use. You can dowload it by clicking on the icon to the right or visit the IPR website. |  |
OrganicsInOurMidst.pdf |
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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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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 a recent 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
A recent 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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SPCP, Natural Lawns Featured on Local TV
Staff discuss merits of natuarl lawn on public access station
Senior Program Associate Steve Pincuspy was a guest on Metropolitan Water Reclamation District Commissioner Frank Avila's program this past spring. Watch Steve discuss the drawbacks of traditional lawn care, and the benefits of maintaining a naturally healthy and safe lawn.
Commissioner Frank Avila speaks...Safer Lawn Care |
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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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Read Your Weeds
A Simple Guide to Creating a Healthy Lawn
Download this new fact sheet created by the National Coalition for Pesticide Free Lawns. Weeds can tell you a lot about the condition of your lawn and indicate what you need in order to grow a healthy organic lawn. Read Your Weeds-A Simple Guide to Creating a Healthy Lawn |
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Pesticide Free Zone
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.
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OrderForm.pdf |
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Park District Manual
In general, parks have landscaping that requires a significant amount of effort to maintain. Unfortunately, this often means that pesticides are used to reduce weeds and unwanted insects. To, SPCP's manual, "Integrated Pest Management for Park Districts: Increasing the Effectiveness and Reducing the Risk of Pest Management", provides alternatives that reduce the amount of pesticides used.
This manual provides practical information on safe and effective methods of controlling weeds, turf and plant diseases, and common pests. It also includes steps outlining the transition into an IPM program, provides additional resources, and contains a list of IPM product suppliers.
Ask if your Park District practices IPM. If they don't, encourage them to do so with the help of this manual. We'd be happy to contact Park Districts interested in beginning a program to improve the health and well being of its residents by reducing pesticide use.
Download a free copy by clicking link at right. | |
pdmanual.pdf |
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