We developed a training and education program in integrated pest management (IPM) for K-12 school building and grounds managers. The purpose of the program was to reduce exposure of children to pesticides at schools. Web-based and hard copy resource materials were developed in a cooperative effort between University of Wisconsin-Extension and the state\u27s Department of Agriculture. Since 1999, personnel at 46% of Wisconsin\u27s public schools have received training, education, and assistance in developing IPM programs. This high degree of voluntary participation is expected to affect pending legislation aimed at mandating IPM in schools

Delahaut, Karen A

Pellitterri, Phillip J

Stier, John C

Williamson, R Chris

English

Clemson University: TigerPrints

The Journal of Extension Volume 40 Number 1 Article 18 2-1-2002 Extension Assistance for Integrated Pest Management Programs in K-12 Schools John C. Stier University of Wisconsin- Madison, jstier@facstaff.wisc.edu Karen A. Delahaut University of Wisconsin- Madison, kadelaha@facstaff.wisc.edu Phillip J. Pellitterri University of Wisconsin- Madison, pellitte@entomology.wisc.edu R Chris Williamson rcwillie@entomology.wisc.edu This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License. Recommended Citation Stier, J. C., Delahaut, K. A., Pellitterri, P. J., & Williamson, R. (2002). Extension Assistance for Integrated Pest Management Programs in K-12 Schools. The Journal of Extension, 40(1), Article 18. https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/joe/vol40/iss1/18 This Ideas at Work is brought to you for free and open access by the Conferences at TigerPrints. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Journal of Extension by an authorized editor of TigerPrints. For more information, please contact kokeefe@clemson.edu. 	 JOEHOME JOURNAL GUIDELINES ABOUT	JOE CONTACT NATIONAL	JOB	BANKCurrent	Issues Back	IssuesFebruary	2002	//	Volume	40	//	Number	1	//	Ideas	at	Work	//	1IAW3Extension	Assistance	for	Integrated	Pest	ManagementPrograms	in	K-12	SchoolsAbstractWe	developed	a	training	and	education	program	in	integrated	pest	management	(IPM)	for	K-12school	building	and	grounds	managers.	The	purpose	of	the	program	was	to	reduce	exposure	ofchildren	to	pesticides	at	schools.	Web-based	and	hard	copy	resource	materials	were	developedin	a	cooperative	effort	between	University	of	Wisconsin-Extension	and	the	state's	Department	ofAgriculture.	Since	1999,	personnel	at	46%	of	Wisconsin's	public	schools	have	received	training,education,	and	assistance	in	developing	IPM	programs.	This	high	degree	of	voluntaryparticipation	is	expected	to	affect	pending	legislation	aimed	at	mandating	IPM	in	schools.	IntroductionConcern	over	children's	potential	exposure	to	pesticides	has	led	to	efforts	to	ban	pesticides	atWisconsin	schools	K-12.	Legislation	is	pending	that	would	require	school	personnel	to	receivecertification	in	Integrated	Pest	Management	(IPM).	Three	states,	Massachusetts,	Maryland,	andMichigan,	already	require	IPM	to	be	used	at	schools.The	University	of	Wisconsin-Extension	(UWEX)	and	the	Wisconsin	Department	of	Agriculture,	Tradeand	Consumer	Protection	(WDATCP)	developed	a	volunteer	IPM	training	program	for	schoolbuilding	and	grounds	managers.	The	goal	is	to	help	schools	develop	IPM	procedures	to	reducechildren's	exposure	to	pesticides.The	Wisconsin	program	is	unique	for	two	reasons.	First,	equal	attention	is	given	to	indoor	andoutdoor	pest	management.	In	most	states	only	indoor	pesticide	use	is	of	concern.	Second,	whileseveral	states	have	developed	training	materials	or	manuals,	we	provide	hands-on	training	plusWeb-based,	hard	copy,	and	telephone	support.John	C.	StierAssistant	Professor,	Environmental	Turfgrass	ScienceInternet	Address:	jstier@facstaff.wisc.eduKaren	A.	DelahautIPM	SpecialistInternet	Address:	kadelaha@facstaff.wisc.eduPhilip	J.	PellitterriEntomologistInternet	Address:	pellitte@entomology.wisc.eduR.	Chris	WilliamsonEntomologistInternet	Address:	rcwillie@entomology.wisc.eduUniversity	of	Wisconsin-MadisonMadison,	WisconsinBrian	P.	BeckerIPM	CoordinatorWisconsin	Dept.	of	Agriculture,	Trade	&	Consumer	ProtectionInternet	Address:	Brian.Becker@datcp.state.wi.usProgram	DevelopmentIn	1998,	a	committee	of	UWEX	specialists,	WDATCP,	professional	pest	control	operators	(PCOs),school	personnel,	toxicologists,	and	parents	developed	a	three-part	program	to	encourageadoption	of	IPM:Production	of	a	school-specific	IPM	manual,A	pilot	training	program	in	1999,	andA	full-scale	program	in	2000.Phase	I:	School	IPM	Manual.The	200-page	manual	provides	practical	information	for	schools	to	develop	IPM	programs.	Themanual	is	formatted	for	a	three-ring	binder	to	allow	pages	to	be	removed	for	photocopying	and	sousers	can	add	their	own	information,	e.g.,	pesticide	labels,	application	records,	maps	of	schoolgrounds,	etc.	Action	points	are	provided	for	each	pest.	An	appendix	contains	auxiliary	informationsuch	as	calibration	procedures.	The	main	sections	of	the	manual	are:Essential	elements	of	IPMTurf	managementOutdoor	insects	and	diseasesOutdoor	vertebrate	pestsIndoor	pestsDeveloping	pest	management	plansThe	manual	describes	proven	methods	to	allow	cost-effective	implementation	of	IPM	such	asguidelines	for	prioritizing	needs.	For	example,	schools	often	apply	fertilizer	and	pesticidetreatments	equally	across	the	grounds,	yet	certain	areas	are	used	more	intensively	than	othersand	require	different	levels	of	management	(athletic	fields	vs.	general	turf	areas).School	staff	often	lack	the	time	and	knowledge	to	develop	the	policies	and	record-keeping	toolsneeded	for	an	IPM	program.	The	manual	contains	the	following	sample	policies	and	forms	that	canbe	customized	as	needed.Pest	management	planPesticide	use	policyLicensing/training	informationLabels/MSDSPest	reportingPesticide	use	logsBuilding/grounds	mapsPesticide	selection,	application,	and	compliance	issues	can	be	confusing	to	persons	not	trained	inpesticides.	Approximately	50%	of	Wisconsin	schools	hire	professional	pest	control	operators(PCOs),	but	many	of	them	under	utilize	IPM.	The	manual	contains	the	following	sections	to	ensurepesticide	use	is	performed	in	accordance	with	IPM	guidelines.Posting	and	notification	guidelinesHow	to	select	a	professional	pest	control	operatorPesticide	selectionThe	manual	has	been	requested	by	dozens	of	schools,	parks,	and	municipalities	in	the	U.S.	Parts	ofthe	manual	were	used	by	a	private	company	in	Michigan	for	production	of	a	CD	on	school	safetytraining.	The	IPM	Institute	of	North	America	has	utilized	the	manual	in	production	of	its	School	IPMcertification	process.	The	manual	is	available	on-line	at	http://ipcm.wisc.edu.Phase	II:	1999	Pilot	Program.We	visited	six	school	districts	three	times	between	spring	and	autumn	of	1999.	During	the	firstvisit	we	met	with	staff,	administrators,	and	PCOs.	We	discussed	IPM,	the	manual,	their	pestproblems,	and	conducted	indoor	and	outdoor	pest	assessments.	Schools	were	visited	2	monthslater	to	assist	in	the	development	of	IPM	plans	and	practices.	During	autumn,	schools	received	athird	visit	to	assess	their	adoption	of	IPM.	Eighteen	other	school	districts	received	the	manual	onlybecause	they	wished	to	try	IPM	without	assistance.We	enjoyed	enthusiastic	cooperation	at	each	school	we	visited.	All	of	the	indoor	PCOs	we	met	werealready	practicing	IPM,	though	the	schools	didn't	realize	it.	The	following	examples	characterizethe	impact	of	the	IPM	program.One	school	district	quit	the	routine	spraying	of	classrooms	for	lice,	which	is	an	ineffective	andunnecessary	use	of	pesticide.Indoor	insect	problems	at	several	schools	ceased	once	food	policies	were	changed	to	restrictfood	to	the	cafeteria.Schools	that	regularly	applied	herbicides	but	didn't	fertilize	turf	saved	money	by	fertilizinginstead	of	applying	herbicides.One	school	switched	to	dragging	infields	with	a	spiker	to	remove	weeds	instead	of	usingherbicides.All	of	the	schools	we	visited	developed	IPM	policies	and	procedures.	Of	the	schools	we	didn't	visit,only	five	looked	at	the	manual	and	only	one	adopted	IPM	procedures	and	policies.Phase	III:	Full-Scale	TrainingThe	state	legislature	approved	$55,000	to	UWEX	for	the	full-scale	program	in	2000.	Four	1-dayseminars	were	held	during	April	in	key	suburban	areas	because	this	is	where	the	majority	of	publicconcerns	were	raised.	Parents	in	rural	areas	had	minimal	concern	because	pesticides	are	usedroutinely	for	farming,	while	parents	in	inner	city	areas	had	unrelated	concerns	for	their	school-agechildren.The	250	seminar	attendees	were	from	115	school	districts	(27%),	representing	947	public	schools(46%).	School	IPM	manuals	were	given	to	each	attendee.	During	summer	we	provided	hands-ontraining	at	13	school	districts;	personnel	from	nearby	schools/districts	were	invited	to	participate.Approximately	200	school	personnel,	representing	37	districts,	attended	the	training	sessions.Future	of	Wisconsin	School	IPM	Extension	TrainingLegislation	proposed	in	2001	may	require	IPM	certification	for	school	staff.	Additional	funding	isbeing	sought	to	continue	the	training	program.Copyright	©	by	Extension	Journal,	Inc.	ISSN	1077-5315.	Articles	appearing	in	the	Journal	become	the	property	of	theJournal.	 Single	 copies	 of	 articles	may	 be	 reproduced	 in	 electronic	 or	 print	 form	 for	 use	 in	 educational	 or	 trainingactivities.	Inclusion	of	articles	in	other	publications,	electronic	sources,	or	systematic	large-scale	distribution	may	bedone	only	with	prior	electronic	or	written	permission	of	the	Journal	Editorial	Office,	joe-ed@joe.org.If	you	have	difficulties	viewing	or	printing	this	page,	please	contact	JOE	Technical	Support©	Copyright	by	Extension	Journal,	Inc.	ISSN	1077-5315.	Copyright	Policy

Extension Assistance for Integrated Pest Management Programs in K-12 Schools

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Extension Assistance for Integrated Pest Management Programs in K-12 Schools

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