Wildsight Pairs Up with Canadian Cancer Society for Pesticide-Free Coalition
March 25, 2008
Golden and Invermere, B.C. — For many Kootenay residents, the pleasure that comes with a beautiful lawn or garden is simply a must-have. But what many residents might not realize is that pesticides can seriously harm the environment and human health.
With this in mind, Wildsight is pleased to announce the newly-formed Pesticide Free Columbia Valley Coalition.
Dedicated to phasing out pesticides considered to be non-essential or cosmetic, Wildsight branches in Invermere and Golden have teamed up with the Canadian Cancer Society to help Kootenay residents understand what having a healthy lawn and garden truly means. Their ‘Healthy Lawn and Garden’ fairs and forums will inform communities about the best ways to go pesticide-free and to have the naturally breathtaking gardens and lawns that have only been dreamed about.
“It’s true, Columbia Valley residents can have the gorgeous lawns and gardens they’ve always wanted without the use of harmful pesticides,” says Wildsight Program Manager Rachel Darvill. “These fairs and forums will show them how.”
Cosmetic or non-essential pesticides are used to enhance the look of private lawns or gardens, parks, or golf courses. Recent studies have shown an ever-increasing link between pesticides causing environmental damage and a multitude of illnesses, including both adult and childhood cancers. Children, pregnant women, the elderly and pets have been shown to be particularly at risk.
To be held at Invermere’s David Thompson Secondary on April 17th and at Golden’s Civic Centre on April 18th, the fairs and forums will feature expert speakers, helpful hints and unique insight to an aspect of environmental awareness that often gets overlooked.
“It is an opportunity to talk to experienced gardeners, evaluate your own practices and make choices for healthier living and protecting our environment” says Marion Stotts, volunteer with the Canadian Cancer Society, Columbia Valley Unit. The fairs will feature plenty of information, organic food, and local entertainment, while the forums will feature discussion and expert speakers such as Mae Burrows, Executive Director of the Labour Environmental Alliance Society and the CancerSmart Consumer Guide; Dr. Warren Bell, a Family Physician for 30 years, founder and former-president of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment; and Kathryn Seely, Public Issues Manager of the Canadian Cancer Society BC & Yukon Division.
While the District of Invermere recently passed first reading of a cosmetic pesticide bylaw for the municipality, the idea of tightly regulating cosmetic pesticides is nothing new. To date, nearly 140 Canadian municipalities (including Toronto, Vancouver, Maple Ridge, Nelson, Cumberland as well as the entire province of Quebec) have passed legislation banning or tightly regulating the use of cosmetic pesticides, resulting in more than 40% of Canadian citizens now benefiting from enhanced protection from the harmful effects of pesticides.
“We are very encouraged about the feedback we’ve received regarding the Invermere bylaw,” says Wildsight Program Manager Heather Leschied. “It’s definitely a move in the right direction.”
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For more information, contact:
Rachel Darvill, Wildsight Upper Columbia Program Coordinator
250.344.4961
Heather Leschied, Wildsight Program Manager
250.341.6898
