Healthy Lawns For a Healthier Nova Scotia

A social media version of this release with hi-res downloadable photos and videos will be available later today, March 22, at http://gov.ns.ca/news/smr/2011-03-22-Healthy-Lawns/ .

Nova Scotians will get help making the move to natural lawn and landscaping practices with the Healthy Lawns education campaign announced today, March 22.

"We are helping to protect public health and the environment by limiting exposure to pesticides," said Environment Minister, Sterling Belliveau. "This education campaign will provide Nova Scotians with healthy lawn-care alternatives."

The Healthy Lawns campaign promotes natural lawn care and alternatives to pesticides, and raises awareness about new legislation and regulations.

The campaign includes an information pamphlet that will be distributed across the province, a toll-free information line, website information, and displays at public events, such as home and garden shows. The Department of Environment is also collaborating with environmental organizations to help get information to the public.

Gardening and landscaping practices that do not require pesticides include manually removing weeds, over-seeding, fertilizing, reducing lawn size by increasing other plant types and enjoying wild flowers.

"The landscape industry supports efforts to educate Nova Scotians on how to maintain healthy lawns," said David Thompson, chair of the environment committee of Landscape Nova Scotia. "Our industry and clients want to maintain healthy landscapes in an environmentally sustainable manner that does not create unacceptable health risks, and this initiative supports that goal."

The Healthy Lawns campaign follows legislation and regulations restricting non-essential pesticides in Nova Scotia. The Non-Essential Pesticides Control Act was passed in May 2010 and the Exceptions to Prohibitions on Non-Essential Pesticides Regulations were passed in December.

The legislation and regulations apply to lawn care and ornamental plants on residential, commercial, government and institutional properties (such as hospitals, long-terms care facilities, schools), parks, and other recreational facilities.

Forestry activities, agricultural activities (including private vegetable and fruit gardens), and golf courses are exempt.

The regulations are accompanied by a List of Allowable Pesticides, considered to pose a reduced risk to humans and the environment.

The sale and use of pesticides not on the allowable list will be prohibited on lawns as of April 1. The legislation will extend to ornamental shrubs, flowers and trees April 1, 2012.

For more information on pesticide legislation, regulations, the List of Allowable Pesticides and the Healthy Lawns campaign, visit www.gov.ns.ca/nse/pests/non-essential.pesticides.asp . There is also a direct link at www.gov.ns.ca/nse and the toll-free information line is 1-855-455-4034.