Pesticide Free Landscaping: The Amazing Practices of Somerset MD
17234
post-template-default,single,single-post,postid-17234,single-format-standard,ajax_fade,page_not_loaded,,qode-child-theme-ver-1.0.0,qode-theme-ver-13.1.2,qode-theme-bridge,wpb-js-composer js-comp-ver-5.4.5,vc_responsive

Town Welcomes Wildlife with Pesticide-Free Landscaping

Home > profile  > Town Welcomes Wildlife with Pesticide-Free Landscaping

14 Aug Town Welcomes Wildlife with Pesticide-Free Landscaping

Posted at 15:41h in profile by
1 Like

Go Organic Salutes: Town of Somerset, Maryland

The Town of Somerset has been proudly practicing pesticide-free lawn care and landscaping on town-owned property since 2013. Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh spoke at the town’s recent rain garden dedication.

In 2015, concerns of Maryland’s decimated bee population, public health exposure, and water quality led Montgomery County to be the first county in the nation to pass a landmark pesticide ordinance. The ordinance, referred to as the Healthy Lawns Act, restricts the use of harmful cosmetic lawn pesticides on both county-owned and private properties. Smart Grow Montgomery, a Go Organic partner, successfully led citizen advocacy for the ordinance.

Another Go Organic partner, Sierra Club Maryland is making available “Pesticide-Free” and “Bee Safe” yard signs for town residents that want to raise neighborhood awareness and start a friendly conversation with neighbors. Read More.

How-to Resources

  1. Learn how to go pesticide-free in your lawn and landscaping, or to take the Sierra Club MD’s Pesticide-Free Yard Pledge here. “Pesticide-Free” and “Bee Safe” yard signs are available for pick up, free-of-charge, at Sierra Club MD’s College Park office during business hours. Please call ahead, (301) 277-7111.
  2. Watch video of the Town of Somerset Organic Yard Care Seminar by Paul Tukey.
  3. For information on how you can sustain wildlife with native plants, visit net.
  4. Montgomery County Dept. of Environmental Protection Organic Lawn Care Site.
  5. BeyondPesticides.org provides support for residents and communities that are interested in going pesticide-free. Free download: Pesticide-Free Communities Local Movement Fact Sheet.
  6. Free download, Smart on Pesticides – Go Organic: The Healthy Garden Alternative: It’s Easier Than You Think: A guide to creating beautiful gardens that protect our bay, our families, and our pets.
  7. Free download, Smart on Pesticides – Go Organic: Suppliers of Neonic-free Pollinator Safe Habitat Seeds & Plants.
  8. Free download from US Fish & Wildlife Service: Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping – Chesapeake Bay Watershed.