Non-Profit Encourages Us To “Kick the Pesticide Habit”

May 8, 2007

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Grassroots Environmental Education, a Long Island-based non-profit with a mission to educate the public about the links between common environmental toxins and human health problems, has announced the launch of a major transit and radio advertising campaign in the suburban New York metropolitan area aimed at encouraging homeowners to “kick the pesticide habit” and treat their lawns the natural way. The campaign runs during late March and April.

Seven-foot high billboards now adorn the platforms of most Long Island Railroad and Metro-North Westchester stations, with a photo of a young father standing on the lawn of his home, cradling his young daughter in his arms. The caption reads, “I’ve Got One Great Reason Not to Use Chemicals On My Lawn.”

“Parents are naturally protective of their children,” says Grassroots Associate Director Doug Wood. “Once they find out how toxic some of these chemicals are and how easy it is to have a beautiful lawn without them, it’s an easy choice.”

The ad campaign is part of a larger lawn pesticide reduction program developed and carried out by Grassroots. The “Grassroots Healthy Lawn Program,” or “GHLP” is in its first year on Long Island, but has been proven highly successful in Westchester County where it was launched in 2005.  The award-winning program, which aims to increase both the supply and demand for natural lawn care, is conducted in cooperation with Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester Counties and is sponsored in part by the Long Island Community Foundation and the Westchester Community Foundation.

This year Grassroots, working with the Nassau Suffolk Landscape Gardeners Association, trained more than 125 professional landscapers in the science and techniques of natural lawn care. The program website, www.ghlp.org, now lists more than 40 lawn care companies on Long Island who are offering natural lawn care programs, in addition to companies serving Westchester County.

“We’ve been working on the supply side of the equation this winter,” says Wood. “Now that spring is here, we’re looking to increase demand by letting people know that they have alternatives when it comes to lawn care: an advertising campaign seemed like the obvious way to get the message out.”

For homeowners who maintain their own lawns, the program website offers consumer tips as well as a list of participating retailers who carry non-toxic lawn care products.

About Grassroots: Grassroots Environmental Education is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization based in Port Washington, NY.  Founded in 2000, the organization’s mission is to educate the public about the links between environmental toxins and human health. Drawing on a network of medical doctors and environmental health professionals, Grassroots seeks to bridge the gap between scientific research and public understanding. Grassroots produces videos, DVD, brochures, white papers and other communication tools which enable individuals to act as catalysts for change in their own communities.  More information at www.grassrootsinfo.org.

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