New York Law prohibits school or day care centers from applying pesticides to any playgrounds, turf, or athletic or playing fields. The requirements are administered by the NY State Education Department for schools and by the Office of Children and Family Services for daycare centers. Pesticide prohibition on grounds at schools and day care centers
Model laws and policies are possible. A model law should prohibit the use of the most toxic pesticides from being used, provides right-to-know, and establishes school IPM. Depending on the political climate in your area, banning the worst chemicals may not be feasible. This model demonstrates legislation that truly protects children from pesticides at schools.See Beyond Pesticides model IPM policy for schools here: https://www.beyondpesticides.org/programs/children-and-schools/resources/model-laws-and-policies
Municipal Policy
See non-profit Beyond Pesticides’ State Pages for a collection of municipal and school pesticide policies, as well as news stories, local organizations, regulatory contacts and least-toxic pest control operators.Beyond Pesticides map of U.S. pesticide reform policies can be found here.
View more municipalities from around the country here.
Keys to a successful policy
Organic systems nurture soil biology to support the natural cycling of nutrients, resulting in resilient turf systems and plants. Because the use of toxic materials undermines the organic system by harming the soil microbial life, following organic standards and identifying compatible products is an essential component of the system. Read Organic 101 for more.