Wellesley’s Natural Resources Commission has received a $10,000 grant from the Toxics Use Reduction Institute at UMASS Lowell to broaden its community education efforts on pesticide use.
With an initial grant awarded last year, the Health Department, the Natural Resources Commission, the Department of Public Works and the schools worked together in developing pesticide-reduction strategy and policy for the town. The Organic Pest Management Policy, if passed, will govern pesticide use on all town-owned property, and set an example for private property owners.
" The development of a townwide policy on organic land care is unique in the state and can serve as a model to other communities, " said Eileen Gunn, the institute’s community program coordinator, in a press release.
Interest from many surrounding communities has led to a second year of funding for a more regional education effort involving local health officials. Wellesley will work in partnership with Marblehead and Newton, both of whom have pesticide-education campaigns, to educate the communities of Natick, Norwood, Sherborn, Sudbury and Wayland on ways to reduce pesticide use and develop similar policies.
" Our neighboring towns have been so keenly interested in Wellesley’s pesticide reduction effort that we decided to run a regional pesticide-awareness campaign to allow them to jump start their own efforts, " said Sarah Little, Wellesley’s pesticide awareness coordinator.
The project involves engaging health officials with local citizens, educating citizens and officials about alternatives to pesticides, and increasing access to professionals with knowledge of alternative pest control methods.
It is one of six community projects funded this year through the Toxics Use Reduction Networking Grant Program. The six 2002 projects are among 51 projects funded to date that have addressed toxics in industrial facilities, commercial businesses, municipalities, schools and households. For more information on past projects and products see www.turi.org/community.
Playing Fields Task Force to meet Dec. 11
The Playing Fields Task Force will hold a public meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.
The meeting will focus on field-use policy governing the availability, use and scheduling of athletic fields in Wellesley. All interested persons are invited to attend.
