LOCAL SCHOOLS TO BENEFIT FROM SAFER PESTICIDE PROGRAM
Monday, 08 July 2002 10:00
"Safer Solutions: Integrated Pest Management in Schools and Childcare Centres" (A TEC manual) will demonstrate that prevention, monitoring, and controlling pests can dramatically reduce the use of pesticides, and therefore reduce the risk of children's exposure.
In response to concerns about the health and environmental effects of pesticides in schools Total Environment Centre will present a series of workshops to assist schools in managing pests effectively and reducing reliance on toxic pesticides.
"Safer Solutions: Integrated Pest Management in Schools and Childcare Centres" (A TEC manual) will demonstrate that prevention, monitoring, and controlling pests can dramatically reduce the use of pesticides, and therefore reduce the risk of children's exposure.
"There is a global push to remove toxic pesticides from schools and childcare centres. In the US and Europe easy to understand manuals, such as the one TEC has produced have been used to help train managers, teachers and parents to reduce and remove the use of pesticides within schools and childcare centres.
These workshops are the first in NSW to assist schools to reach these important environmental goals," said Ben Cole spokesperson for Total Environment Centre.
The workshops will be presented by leading experts who have pioneered non-chemical pest management throughout NSW schools and childcare centres. The three workshops will cover the Illawarra, Hunter and Sydney regions.
The workshops will be held in;
Wollongong: Wednesday, July 24th (4 - 5:30 pm) at the Ribbonwood Centre. 107, Princess Hwy, Dapto.
Newcastle: Thursday, July 25th (4 - 5:30pm) at the Wetlands Centre, off the roundabout Sandgate Road, Shortland.
Sydney: Tuesday, July 30th (4 - 5:30 pm) at the Professional Teachers' Council NSW located on the corner of Norton and Marion St. Leichhardt.
"Removing toxic pesticides from schools has a number of benefits, the first and most important is the protection of children's health. Another important benefit is the cost-savings associated with introducing integrated pest management (IPM). The US EPA reported that schools that had implemented IPM showed lower long-term costs than conventional pest management."
"Other benefits include the educational and curriculum opportunities that arise from using non-chemical pest management. The content will also be really useful for schools as they complete their Environmental Management Plans."
The workshops are free and are open to teachers, parents, school assistants, principals, environmental educators and interested environmental groups. The workshops will be held in an informal and friendly manner, allowing participants to ask plenty of questions.
