Canadian Cancer Society and Wildsight hosted Cranbrook meeting to discuss pesticide reduction

Cranbrook/Kimberley, BC – Reducing the cosmetic, or non-essential use of pesticides, is a growing priority in many East Kootenay communities. The Canadian Cancer Society and Wildsight have recently teamed up to host a meeting with citizens of Cranbrook to discuss the health and environmental impacts caused by the cosmetic use of pesticides.

According to Matt Honeyman of Wildsight Kimberley/Cranbrook, “Pesticides are substances intended to kill or otherwise control weeds, insects, fungi or other pests. The cosmetic use of pesticides refers to substances which are used in order to improve the appearance of private lawns and gardens as well as parks, sport fields and recreational facilities.”

The meeting held in Cranbrook built onto the partnership that began between Wildsight and the Canadian Cancer Society over two years ago which has resulted in the Pesticide Free Kimberley and Pesticide Free Columbia Valley community coalitions. These coalitions have been actively working to raise awareness about alternatives to synthetic pesticides, and are recommending municipal bylaws to phase out the cosmetic use of pesticides. Pesticide Free Kimberley organized a Healthy Earth Fair and Pesticides Forum in April 2007, attended by over 170 people. Because of the immense success of that event, similar events were organized in Invermere and Golden this spring and were attended by over 350 people. Since the Fair and Forum in Kimberley in 2007, the Pesticide Free Kimberley coalition has approached Kimberley Council regarding a bylaw, and this year has continued to build awareness in the community by hosting information booths at many community events, including Marysville Days and the spring Gardening Conference.

Honeyman says, “The Pesticide Free lawn signs developed by coalition member Suzanne Wemp have been a big hit and many individuals have picked these up at our information booth to display on their lawn. We’ve also distributed a lot of information about healthier alternatives for pesticide-free lawns and gardens.”

“It’s been a strong partnership between the Canadian Cancer Society and Wildsight because the growing body of evidence links pesticide exposure to cancer and other health impacts as well as environmental consequences,” says Patti Moore of the Canadian Cancer Society.

According to Moore, “this growing concern about pesticides is shown in a recent public opinion poll conducted by Ipsos Reid for the Canadian Cancer Society this past February, which found that 73% of East Kootenay residents support legislation phasing out the use of cosmetic pesticides on private and public properties. Also, 83% of East Kootenay residents said they would be likely to try alternative practices instead of using chemicals, if they were provided information and tips. ” Moore goes on to add, “Evidence shows that a bylaw, combined with public education, is effective at substantially reducing pesticide use on public and private lands.”

To date, over 140 Canadian municipalities have adopted or implemented bylaws, including 12 in British Columbia, such as Vancouver, Port Moody and Nelson. Another 13 municipalities in BC have drafted bylaws, including the District of Invermere.

According to Honeyman, it is possible to have a beautiful, natural garden and lawn without using synthetic pesticides. “There are many non-toxic alternatives such as soap mixtures, borax, acetic acid (vinegar), and corn gluten. We can also replace chemicals with simple new habits such as aerating once or twice a year, over-seeding lawns in the spring, mowing high, and watering deeply and infrequently. All of which are possible, and easy.”

The Pesticide Free Kimberley, and newly formed Pesticide Free Cranbrook coalitions look forward to educating the community about the health related and environmental impacts of pesticide use as well as provide information on viable alternatives.

If you are interested in joining one of these coalitions, or would like more information, contact Patti Moore at the Canadian Cancer Society at 250-426-8916 or Matt Honeyman at Wildsight at 250-427-2535.

For More Information:

Patti Moore

Community Action Coordinator

Canadian Cancer society, Kootenay Region

Telephone: 250-426-8916 or 1-800-656-6426

Email: pmoore@bc.cancer.ca

Matt Honeyman

Environmental Program Assistant

Wildsight, Kimberley/Cranbrook branch

Telephone: 250-427-2535

Email: mhoneyman@cotr.bc.ca

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Canadian Cancer Society and Wildsight hosted Cranbrook meeting to discuss pesticide reduction

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	Canadian Cancer Society and Wildsight hosted Cranbrook meeting to discuss pesticide reduction Tweet Cranbrook/Kimberley, BC – Reducing the cosmetic, or non-essential use of pesticides, is a growing priority in many East Kootenay communities. The Canadian Cancer Society and Wildsight have recently teamed up to host a meeting with citizens of Cranbrook to discuss the health and environmental impacts caused by the cosmetic use of pesticides. According to Matt Honeyman of Wildsight Kimberley/Cranbrook, “Pesticides are substances intended to kill or otherwise control weeds, insects, fungi or other pests. The cosmetic use of pesticides refers to substances which are used in order to improve the appearance of private lawns and gardens as well as parks, sport fields and recreational facilities.” The meeting held in Cranbrook built onto the partnership that began between Wildsight and the Canadian Cancer Society over two years ago which has resulted in the Pesticide Free Kimberley and Pesticide Free Columbia Valley community coalitions. These coalitions have been actively working to raise awareness about alternatives to synthetic pesticides, and are recommending municipal bylaws to phase out the cosmetic use of pesticides. Pesticide Free Kimberley organized a Healthy Earth Fair and Pesticides Forum in April 2007, attended by over 170 people. Because of the immense success of that event, similar events were organized in Invermere and Golden this spring and were attended by over 350 people. Since the Fair and Forum in Kimberley in 2007, the Pesticide Free Kimberley coalition has approached Kimberley Council regarding a bylaw, and this year has continued to build awareness in the community by hosting information booths at many community events, including Marysville Days and the spring Gardening Conference. Honeyman says, “The Pesticide Free lawn signs developed by coalition member Suzanne Wemp have been a big hit and many individuals have picked these up at our information booth to display on their lawn. We’ve also distributed a lot of information about healthier alternatives for pesticide-free lawns and gardens.” “It’s been a strong partnership between the Canadian Cancer Society and Wildsight because the growing body of evidence links pesticide exposure to cancer and other health impacts as well as environmental consequences,” says Patti Moore of the Canadian Cancer Society. According to Moore, “this growing concern about pesticides is shown in a recent public opinion poll conducted by Ipsos Reid for the Canadian Cancer Society this past February, which found that 73% of East Kootenay residents support legislation phasing out the use of cosmetic pesticides on private and public properties. Also, 83% of East Kootenay residents said they would be likely to try alternative practices instead of using chemicals, if they were provided information and tips. ” Moore goes on to add, “Evidence shows that a bylaw, combined with public education, is effective at substantially reducing pesticide use on public and private lands.” To date, over 140 Canadian municipalities have adopted or implemented bylaws, including 12 in British Columbia, such as Vancouver, Port Moody and Nelson. Another 13 municipalities in BC have drafted bylaws, including the District of Invermere. According to Honeyman, it is possible to have a beautiful, natural garden and lawn without using synthetic pesticides. “There are many non-toxic alternatives such as soap mixtures, borax, acetic acid (vinegar), and corn gluten. We can also replace chemicals with simple new habits such as aerating once or twice a year, over-seeding lawns in the spring, mowing high, and watering deeply and infrequently. All of which are possible, and easy.” The Pesticide Free Kimberley, and newly formed Pesticide Free Cranbrook coalitions look forward to educating the community about the health related and environmental impacts of pesticide use as well as provide information on viable alternatives. If you are interested in joining one of these coalitions, or would like more information, contact Patti Moore at the Canadian Cancer Society at 250-426-8916 or Matt Honeyman at Wildsight at 250-427-2535. For More Information: Patti Moore Community Action Coordinator Canadian Cancer society, Kootenay Region Telephone: 250-426-8916 or 1-800-656-6426 Email: pmoore@bc.cancer.ca Matt Honeyman Environmental Program Assistant Wildsight, Kimberley/Cranbrook branch Telephone: 250-427-2535 Email: mhoneyman@cotr.bc.ca	Related Content Renowned Author Robert Sandford Speaking in Cranbrook and Kimberley Explorer Bernice Notenboom to discuss the warming Arctic and its indigenous peoples Kimberley's Best Stack of Firewood Contest Living with Beavers - Fernie East Hill Boundary Expansion- Does Cranbrook Need It ?