IPM in Virginia Public Schools
PI(s): Miller, Dini M
Investigators:
Website: IPM in Virginia Schools
Abstract: IPM for Virginia Public Schools: In 1999, all Virginia schools were treated monthly with insecticides regardless of whether they had a pest problem or not and schools kept no records of these applications. IPM is not mandated in Virginia, but is a critical need to improve pest management practices. To meet this need, I have developed the School IPM program. The purpose of the IPM program is to teach Extension agents and school personnel how to help their local schools convert from their current pest control practices to an IPM program.
Description: In 1999, all Virginia schools (Fairfax and Arlington Counties excepted) were treated monthly with insecticides regardless of whether they had a pest problem or not. In addition, schools kept no records of thes pesticide applications. While IPM is not mandated in Virginia, there is a critical need to improve pest management practices. To meet this need I developed the Virginia School IPM program. The purpose of the IPM program was to teach Extension agents and school personnel how to help their local schools convert from their current pest control practices to an IPM program. The training was designed to educate participants about the risks associated with their current pest control methods (pest resistance, pesticide exposure and liability) and how these risks could be mitigated through IPM. I have expanded the School IPM training program statewide through a series of competitive grants ($111,000). These grants have funded 33 School IPM training workshops for over 656 participants. The training has resulted in 15 school districts adopting an IPM policy. These IPM schools have reduced their pesticide use by an average of 79%. The adoption of IPM by these school districts has improved the environmental quality of the workplace for over 70,500 employees and 477,000 students.
Commodities:
Resources:
Disciplines: Urban
Audiences: Environmental Groups, Extension Agents, Government Agencies, Graduate Students, Homeowners, Local Governments, Prospective Students, Researchers, Teachers, Undergraduates
