Pesticide Free Zones
East Windsor, July 2007
The environmentally friendly ladybug is alive and well at Anchor Park, thanks to a township policy that declares the park a "Pesticide Free Zone (PFZ)." This strengthens East Windsor's already existing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) policy. East Windsor worked in coordination with NJEF after their annual door to door educational and fundraising drive.
To further keep the township green and clean, East Windsor also passed a vehicle "no idling" ordinance, expanded its commitment to recycling, and is considering a green cleaning (using non-toxic cleaning products) policy for the town.
"As a matter of policy and practice, we don't use pesticides in the maintenance of our parks. We want to protect water quality and public health, especially the health of young children who are more vulnerable to the hazards of pesticides than adults" said Mayor Janice Miranov.
According to Mayor Mironov, the IPM policy for the town identifies key sensitive areas like the Anker Park to be managed without harmful chemical pesticides. IPM calls for the management of insects, undesired plants, and plant diseases with tools that are least likely to impact human health or the environment.
East Windsor joins other communities which have designated Pesticide Free Zones in their parks including West Windsor, Chatham, Clifton, Irvington, Manasquan, Neptune, Ocean City, Pine Beach, Wall, and Burlington County.
According to Jane Nogaki, Program Coordinator for the NJ Environmental Federation, New Jersey uses about 4 million pounds of pesticides annually for lawn care, mosquito control, agricultural production and golf course maintenance. Commonly used lawn pesticides have been linked to cancer, asthma and developmental delays.
"We especially want to protect children because they are closer to pesticide applications on the ground, they are still developing and absorb more pesticides than adults," Nogaki said.
Fortunately, alternatives exists that are cost effective and friendly to the environment, simple things like hand pulling weeds, mulching areas properly to prevent weeds, planting native plants that don't get insect problems, and reducing or eliminating lawns to cut down on the need for watering, fertilizing and mowing.
The "No Idling" resolution, passed by Mayor and Council on July 24th, calls for broad education of the public about the health, environmental and economic impacts of vehicle idling and ways to reduce vehicle idling, and commits to maintain municipal vehicles to eliminate any visible exhaust and harmful air pollution. The resolution encourages all vehicles to turn off their engines if they are idling more than ten seconds.
"The best way to warm up your vehicle is to drive it. Idling for more than 10 seconds actually uses more fuel than restarting the engine and tests show no more than 30 seconds is needed to circulate engine oil," said Jenny Vickers, NJEF Communications Coordinator. "With the turn of an ignition key, you can counter global warming, reduce expensive gas costs, and improve air quality and public health. It's that easy."
"We need residents to do their part in reducing pesticides in our environment and keeping our air, water and land safe from toxic chemicals," said Michael Vetter, Chair of the East Windsor Environmental Commission. "Residents can participate by making their own property a "Pesticide Free Zone" and turning off their engines after 10 seconds if they plan to remain at the same location for more than 30 seconds."
For more information on Idle Free New Jersey, visit NJEF's No-Idling web page
