Who manages pests in parks?
A. Parks horticultural and grounds maintenance staff share responsibility for managing pest problems in 6,006 acres of parks; about 10% of the City’s total land area. 2,300 acres of this is “developed” parkland. Staff who apply pesticides are required to have a public pesticide operator’s license and attend continuing education classes in IPM on an annual basis.
A. Parks horticultural and grounds maintenance staff share responsibility for managing pest problems for 11% of the City s total land area. Staff who apply pesticides are required to have a Washington State Public Pesticide Operator s license and attend continuing education classes in IPM on an annual basis to update their skills and knowledge in pest management. The department also employs an IPM Coordinator who monitors overall programs, and insures that regulatory requirements are met, including tracking pesticide use. This coordinator works with staff to research and develop new pest management strategies, especially regarding alternatives to pesticide use. The Coordinator also sits on the City of Seattle s Interdepartmental IPM committee, which reviews programs annually and makes adjustments to procedures and protocols. Park s IPM Coordinator is the department s liaison on pest management issues to a variety of stakeholders, including the Mayor s office and the community.
