About PESP The Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program is a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that promotes the use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs and practices to reduce the risk of pests and pesticides. PESP helps organizations: • Reduce human health and environmental risks associated with pesticide use • Increase awareness of alternatives to using pesticides • Share new approaches for meeting pest management challenges • Educate people about their role in preventing pests What is Integrated Pest Management? IPM is an approach to pest management based on: • Regular monitoring and recordkeeping to determine if and when to use pesticides • Eliminating conditions that allow pests to thrive • Using the least possible hazard to people, property, and the environment Learn More For more information, please visit: www.epa.gov/pestwise/pesp vvEPA OnCampus eccMmbassadors Pesticide Environmental Stewardship Program OnCampus Goals of the PESP OnCampus Program • Reduce pests and limit exposure to potentially harmful pesticides • Adopt IPM practices as an effective strategy for pest management • Educate students about their role in eliminating pests • Support your school in applying for membership in PESP If You're Interested In: • Working with the facilities staff on your campus • Collecting data about pesticide alternatives • Developing an IPM strategy and identifying measures to track progress • Designing public health messages • Motivating students to change their behavior PESP OnCampus is the program for you! How to Get Started Initiating a IPM program on your campus relies on a few key steps: • Talk with the facilities staff to learn about: Current pest management practices on your campus Potential locations on campus best suited to implement the program • Meet with your school administrators to discuss the program • Help develop an IPM strategy for your campus Design creative messages to encourage students to keep their campus clean and pest free See page 2 for a step-by-step checklist for PESP OnCampus. Successful IPM Projects on Campuses Several universities are active PESP members. To help you get started, visit www.epa.gov/pestwise/pesp/members and review PESP strategies provided by university partners. Each strategy, about 2 to 4 pages long, identifies short-term goals and activities. PESP strategies are available for: - University of Arizona- Maricopa Agricultural Center - University of Maryland - Department of Residential Facilities - University of Wisconsin Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems - University of Wisconsin Environmental Resource Center The PESP OnCampus program is ideal for students pursuing degrees in: Agriculture, Biology, Environmental Science, and Public Policy ------- Checklist for PESP OnCampus Follow the steps below to implement an IPM project to reduce pests and exposure to pesticides on your campus. Q 1. Find out what's being done on your campus now to treat pests. Talk with the facilities team at your school to find out: (1) what kinds of pests are on your campus (2) what kind of chemicals (pesticides) are being used (3) when and how are the pesticides applied (4) if alternative treatments are being considered Make a list of potential alternatives to the pesticides currently being used and collect information about the alternatives so that you are prepared to discuss them with school administrators. The information you collect will help to identify potential locations at which an IPM approach could be tested. Q 2. Meet with your school administrators. Use the data collected in Step 2 to prepare for your meeting with school administrators. At the meeting, explain your role as an OnCampus Ambassador, discuss your interest in EPA's PESP program, and determine the level of membership your school wants to maintain. Share what you've learned about how an IPM approach could reduce pests and limit student and faculty exposure to potentially harmful pesticides. Q 3. Develop an IPM strategy. Work with the facilities team to develop an IPM strategy that identifies how an IPM approach to pest management will take place on campus. Include specific measures that define what actions will be taken, and describe how the measures will be tracked. The strategy should address a 5-year time period. Take advantage of the many sample IPM strategies and measures available on the PESP website. Q 4. Submit an application to PESP. Apply for membership in EPA's PESP program. You'll be required to complete a membership application and include the IPM strategy developed in Step 3. EPA will review the application and strategy to determine the membership level of your school. Submit the application online at www.epa.gov/pestwise/pesp/application_form.html. Q 5. Design education messages for students. Hold a kick-off event to promote the program and to encourage students to participate. Take advantage of opportunities to explain what the program is about and how an IPM approach will reduce the risks of pests and pesticides on campus. Consider how to make the connection between food and garbage and pests. Design and distribute eye-catching messages that students will pay attention to. Give students specific suggestions for how they can eliminate the conditions that lead to pests and pest infestations. Include information about the potential risks of exposure to pesticides to their health. Q 6. Track and report your progress. PESP member are required to submit an annual report to EPA. Help your administration use this annual reporting as an opportunity to share successes on your campus and identify lessons learned for other schools and universities. PESP uses the annual reporting information to determine membership levels and to promote the achievements of its members. Help for PESP Partners As a PESP partner, you have access to: technical guidance tools and resources - educational outreach tools - subscription to PESP newsletter PESP Member Handbook The PESP handbook provides useful information to prospective members about how the program works and assistance in applying for membership. Guidelines for developing an IPM strategy are provided, along with sample performance measures. The handbook can be downloaded from the PESP home page at: www.epa.gov/pestwlse/pesp IPM for Schools: A How-To Manual This manual includes a full discussion of IPM concepts and provides a step-by-step guide for implementing a school IPM program. Strategies are provided for many common pests. View online at www.epa.gov/pesticides/ipm/schoolipm EPA OnCampus Connector The Connector is an online collaboration forum for OnCampus ecoAmbassadors to discuss ideas, post documents, and share successes. Access the online forum at: https://epaoncampus.groupsite.com/login EPA Contact Info PESP Helpline (800)972-7717 pesp.info@epa.gov EPA OnCampus Team EPAOnCampus@epa.gov ------- |