EDITORIAL Stand Up for you Landscape

I’m sure readers of Lawn & Landscape are aware of the activist movement to severely restrict or eliminate the use of pesticides in and around landscapes.
Most recently, you’ve probably heard and read about the challenges our neighbors to the North have lived through. Many professionals there have sacrificed hours of both their personal and professional time to protect their right to conduct business, as well as their customers’ right for a weed- and insect-free landscape.

Contractors readily offered up their time because of their passion to the green industry. Fully aware of the repercussions if these services were abolished, these environmental stewards didn’t think twice about investing in their cause.

Not only will they suffer loss of business, but our environment will suffer. Studies have shown that well-maintained turf provides a poor habitat for health dangers such as rodents, snakes, ticks and bees. Safety benefits include firebreaks, glare reduction on highways and airport runways as well as cushioned play areas for children and athletes alike.

There’s more. Research shows evidence that plants lower blood pressure, reduce muscle tension related to stress and reduce feelings of anger,  fear and aggression. A well-maintained turf and landscape can boost a child’s attention span and help to build more close-knit communities.

The situation isn’t exclusive to Canada. A number of such hotspots are found here in the United States.

Fact is, about seven key target locales – including California, Connecticut, Iowa, Montana, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont – are in the sights of the activist community. Their sole mission is to eliminate pesticides. Not because they’ve done extensive research – or any research  whatsoever with these products. Just because.

And, it’s not just pesticides. Officials in Arizona are calling for irrigation within a certain daily timeframe. Bureaucrats in Nevada and California are paying its residents to not install turf and plants.

The days of brushing these threats aside and adroitly proclaiming that these are not our concerns are over. Not a single lawn and landscape professional will find him or herself beyond the reach of these adept, well-funded activists who have successfully moved their crusade from the federal and state level to the local stage.

Laws previously passed in Toronto but thought to be unenforceable are currently taking a bite out of the professional’s pocketbook. A few convictions and fines have been levied against those who have elected to ignore the law and go about their business.
 
Repeat customers are canceling their services and some lawn care businesses are being forced to lay off employees. The irony of it all is that consumers are still able to purchase pesticides and apply them to their own lawns.

As environmental stewards and industry professionals, it’s time that we all stand up and be counted. Don’t let the uninformed pass unnecessary laws that hurt the environment rather than help it. Stand up for your landscape today.