RCE Saskatchewan-2015

rce_proj_title_2013
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1. Project Title: 
Reducing Pesticide Use on Campus: Plant Health Care Model
2. Thematic area/s addressed by the project
Select your options: 
3. Project partner contact information : 
Organization: 
University of Regina
Role: 
Project Lead
Main Contact: 
Dr. Tanya Dahms, Professor of Biochemistry; Darren Chewarty, Director Health and Safety
4. Project type
5. Project description
Provide a short description of the project including strategies, regional challenges, aims and specific project activities.: 

At the University of Regina (Canada), we struck an ad hoc committee to review pesticide use on campus since the scientific literature presents highly compelling evidence that pesticides are harmful to both human health and the environment. Our ad hoc committee designated two very small plots on campus with which to compare "status quo" grounds management with the plant health-care model that was recently proposed by the City of Regina. Dr. Dahms gathered a microbiology expert, Dr. Chris Yost, and turf evaluation expert (Dr. Scott Wilson) to help assess the two plots in a blind study. Teacher Heather Haynes with her Miller high school students learned field sampling and laboratory analysis techniques to test their hypothesis related to this pilot project. Approximately 20 volunteers collected data in May 2014 prior to plot treatment to help address this controversial issue. In the summer of 2015 the project was extended to the University of Regina campus green.


7. Provide references and reference materials : 
6. Project status
On Going
Description: 
Collaborative talks began May 2013, test plot evaluation started May 2014, plant health care model for Campus Green, Summer 2015
8. Tagging
Region: 
Americas
Tags (choose up to 5):