Noted author explains how to go pesticide-free

Carole Rubin will give five talks in the Kootenays this spring

For Immediate Release

Invermere, B.C. — Have you heard that East Kootenay communities are starting to go pesticide free? Are you curious about how you can still have a nice lawn and garden without using cosmetic pesticides?

Well, come out for a free presentation by Canada’s “pesticide free” expert, Carole Rubin.

Carole Rubin is the author of How to Get Your Lawn & Garden Off Drugs, the book that helped start the pesticide-free revolution that’s now sweeping across Canada. Rubin is also the author of How to Get Your Lawn Off Grass and has written for Harrowsmith, Canadian Living Magazine, and Lawn Care for Dummies.

Rubin’s presentations are scheduled below. They are sponsored by Wildsight, the Canadian Cancer Society and the Pesticide Free Columbia Basin Coalition.

The talks are free (free of charge, and also scent- and perfume-free) and are happening in:

Fernie:  Monday, April 27, 7pm, Traynor Hall at Fernie Secondary School

Cranbrook: Tuesday, April 28, 7pm, Lecture Theatre, College of the Rockies

Invermere: Thursday, April 30, 7pm, David Thompson Secondary School Theatre

Golden: Friday, May 1, 7pm, at Golden Seniors Centre

Nelson: Tuesday, May 5, 7pm, Nelson United Church

Carole’s inspiring presentation will show how lawns and gardens can flourish by replacing synthetic chemicals with balanced organic alternatives. This includes choosing the right grasses and plants, fertilizing, aerating, composting and pruning.

“This presentation is for all gardeners and homeowners who want to tread lightly on the Earth,” said Heather Leschied, with Wildsight. “Two communities in the Columbia Basin  —Invermere and Nelson — have enacted bylaws, and other communities are considering bylaws, have drafted bylaws, or have included statements in their OCPs about cosmetic pesticides — so it’s really good timing.”

Patti Moore, of the Canadian Cancer Society said: “We’re excited to be organizing this tour because we know that while many people are aware of potential risks from exposure to cosmetic pesticides, there is a need for more information about healthier lawn and garden practices.”

Leschied said that Rubin’s talk will help people learn how to reduce their use of cosmetic pesticides — and that the Pesticide Free Columbia Basin Coalition is here to help them as well.

“There are easy, alternative methods available,” she said. “We know that lots of people are interested in learning these healthy gardening techniques. This event will not only help people to learn, but it will connect citizens to others in their communities who are making the same positive changes.”

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BACKGROUND INFO:

EAST KOOTENAY OPINION POLL:
In 2008, the Canadian Cancer Society commissioned Ipsos Reid to conduct a public opinion poll on cosmetic pesticides. In the East Kootenay, the majority (75%) were aware there may be link between exposure to some components of pesticides and an increased risk of some types of cancer.  73% supported their local or provincial government passing legislation that would phase-out the use of cosmetic pesticides on public and private properties.  Further, 83% said they would be likely to try alternative practices, instead of using chemicals or pesticides, if they were provided with information and tips. 

THE DISTRICT OF INVERMERE IS FIRST IN EK TO GO PESTICIDE FREE:
The District of Invermere became the first community in the East Kootenay to enact a cosmetic pesticide bylaw on February 24th. The bylaw comes into effect May 1, 2009, and the presentation is a great way for people to learn how to go pesticide free.

OTHER MUNICIPALITIES GO PESTICIDE FREE:
152 Canadian municipalities have successfully enacted cosmetic pesticide bylaws. Communities range in size from Cumberland, BC (pop. 2,700) to Toronto, Ontario (pop. 2.5 million) and the entire province of Quebec (pop. 3.1 million)

THE PESTICIDE FREE COLUMBIA BASIN COALITION
The Pesticide Free Columbia Valley coalition was formed in August 2007. Due to the growing initiatives across the East and West Kootenay, it has expanded and is now called the Pesticide Free Columbia Basin. It includes citizens, organizations and businesses from Invermere, Golden, and surrounding communities, now including Fernie, Kimberley, Cranbrook and Nelson. Some members and supporters include:
•    Canadian Cancer Society
•    Wildsight
•    The District of Invermere
•    Interior Health
•    Kicking Horse Coffee
•    Winderberry Nursery
•    Spring’s Health Foods
•    Willow Springs Greenhouses
•    Communities in Bloom Golden
•    Home Hardware (Invermere and Golden)
•    True Value Hardware (Golden)
•    Jackson Hardware and Building Supplies
•    Mountainside Gardens
•    Physicians and health care practitioners from Kimberley, Cranbrook, Invermere and Golden
•    Parents, environmentalists, and gardeners who share a vision of reducing the cosmetic use of pesticides in our communities.
•    Parent Advisory Committees

About Wildsight

Wildsight works locally, regionally and globally to protect biodiversity and encourage sustainable communities in Canada's Columbia and Southern Rocky Mountain region. This area is internationally recognized as a keystone to conservation in western North America. For more information, please visit www.wildsight.ca.

CONTACTS:

Invermere
Heather Leschied • Program Manager, Wildsight
250-341-6898 • heather@wildsight.ca

Golden
Rachel Darvill • Program Coordinator, Wildsight
250-344-4961 • rachel@wildsight.ca

Cranbrook
Patti Moore • Community Action Coordinator – Kootenay Region
Canadian Cancer Society • 250-426-8916 • pmoore@bc.cancer.ca

Fernie
Bill Silversides • Director • Wildsight Elk Valley • wssides@elkvalley.net

Nelson
Jennie Barron • Kootenay Citizens for Alternatives to Pesticides • jenerik@netidea.com