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
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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
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