Expanding a Successful Model for Regional Adoption of School IPM to Reduce the Risks of Pests and Pesticides to School Communities

Executive Summary

Objectives

To reduce the risks of pests and pesticides to School Communities in US EPA Region 8 by demonstrating a successful model for the Regional implementation of School IPM - The over reaching goal of this expansion is to reduce risks to school communities by establishing a successful and transferable Regional Model for pesticide reduction programs.

Using the “Monroe IPM Model” as currently demonstrated in Salt Lake City School District’s IPM implementation as the Region 8 model, partnerships will be forged among the school community and various change agents including: State Lead Agencies (Departments of Agriculture & Food, Environmental Quality and/or Health) and University Extension personnel from Region 8 states.

The IPM support team (already in place) will provide education through training, demonstrating technological and program planning innovations, developing and disseminating outreach materials, conducting audits of pesticide use, and by outlining tangible progress for the mitigation of risk to the school community.

Program Outputs

coordinate existing successful school IPM programs from US EPA Regions 4,5,8,9 and 10 to maximize OPP pesticide reduction efforts while decreasing costly “re-invention” of school IPM programs
expand the verifiable use IPM in school communities in the US EPA Region 8 States – developing IPM Star@ Certification for a school district in Utah and one other Region 8 state
maintain existing School IPM programs in Region 8 School Districts through an award and media recognition program
develop a “Regional School IPM Coalition” to include school districts in Region 8 States
develop a core of school IPM change agents from US EPA Region 8 states
work with these “Regional” change agents to develop one region-wide workshop (upgrading training and certification) for adopting school personnel
evaluate and define the “US EPA Region 8 School IPM Coalition” using documentation and one region-wide meeting

Project Outcomes and Outputs

The successful extension of the Monroe IPM Model will initiate a proven pesticide reduction program to two fundamental audiences- the school community and to change agents. It will provide:

education through training, demonstrate technological and program planning innovations,
develop and disseminate outreach materials
conduct audits of pesticide use, cost and exposure outlining tangible progress for the mitigation of risk to the school community • be transferable to other school communities
reduce pesticide applications by at least 50% for those schools associated with this model program

Criteria to be used to measure success

Direct measurements

measure cooperation of the school districts through compliance with the MOU (access of pesticide records, moratorium of existing contractor services in the pilot facilities, providing training opportunities to appropriate staff, etc.). • statistical comparison with pre-program pests and pesticide use: Based on previously conducted programs in seven states and three Native American Reservations conducted in five US EPA Regions, it is anticipated that number, type and ingredient of pesticide applications will be reduced by 50% for those schools associated with this model program

Surrogate measurements

efforts (training attendance/assistance and development of PCO guidelines and assistance) by the State Lead Agency and other Change Agents to participate and extend IPM to schools throughout Region 8
efforts (training attendance/assistance and development of PCO guidelines and assistance) by School Administrations and Pest Management Professionals to participate and extend IPM to schools throughout Region 8.