Integrated Pest Management Innovators Program
Call for Nominations
Are you part of an "IPM Innovator" team? Do you know an innovator in integrated pest management (IPM)? The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is looking for California groups, organizations, or companies that should be recognized for their innovative approaches to reduced-risk pest management and their leadership role in promoting these practices. DPR wants to recognize these groups for the skill, inspiration, and courage they have shown in pursuing new systems of pest control, and for their efforts in sharing their experiences with others. You may nominate a group you know of or your own organization or company. The program recognizes both agricultural and nonagricultural IPM Innovators. Awards will be presented in the fall of 2005. Information on previous award winners can be found by visiting our web page titled IPM Innovator Award Winners and Five Named "Everyday Heros of Environmental Protection.
The IPM Innovator program was established in August 1994 as part of DPR’s commitment and legal mandate to encourage the development of environmentally sound pest management programs. We want to give recognition to individuals and groups who are leaders in adopting techniques that increase the benefits and reduce the risks of pest control, to help these groups to interact and increase the more widespread adoption of reduced-risk pest management systems, and to encourage and facilitate others in forming similar groups.
To identify IPM Innovators, DPR developed guidelines to characterize innovative systems. First, each IPM Innovator Group has a collection of practices for dealing with pests in a particular situation or a pest management system. These practices represent an approach to pest control that stresses the application of biological and cultural pest control techniques. Pesticides are used only when necessary to achieve acceptable levels of control with the least possible harm to nontarget organisms and the environment. The pest manager prefers not to consider control of one pest at a time. Instead, the manager tries to look at all pests together and evaluates how control of one pest might influence the control of another pest. A good pest manager also considers the impact that neighboring crops, landscapes, and other pest control practices may have on his/her crop.
An IPM Innovator Group also promotes development of the knowledge and cost-effective techniques necessary for its particular pest management situation.
Lastly, an IPM Innovator group has a willingness to share technical information outside the group, a research effort to continue its innovations, and an administrative organization that unifies and supports the collective effort of participants.
How to nominate:
DPR looks forward to another year of recognizing innovation in pest management. If you would like to nominate your organization or another group or organization as an IPM Innovator, please complete the nomination form by March 31, 2005. Alternatively, you can mail the nomination form to the address below. Fact sheets, articles, brochures, promotional material, etc., which describe the group are also helpful. DPR staff will then evaluate how the group fits the criteria. The award winners will be announced in the fall of 2005. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:
IPM Innovators Program
c/o Bob Elliott
Department of Pesticide Regulation
Pest Management & Licensing Branch
P.O. Box 4015
Sacramento, CA 95812-4015
He can also be reached by phone at (916) 445-3914 or E-mail belliott@cdpr.ca.gov.