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Pesticide Use Reduction
Pesticides use in Washington state cities, counties, and parks; ideas for solutions and safer alternatives for weed and pest control; and what you can do to help reduce pesticide use in these public places.
The widespread use of pesticides to maintain parks, roadsides, and other public spaces creates a hazard for the people that use these public spaces and results in pesticide contamination of rivers and streams.
Fortunately, it doesn't have to be this way. A number of cities and counties in Washington State and across the country have chosen to phase out the use of the most hazardous pesticides and maintain their landscapes with healthier alternatives. They choose native and pest-resistant plants, design and maintain landscapes so they don't need herbicides, and use safer means to treat pest problems that occur. Find out more about what local cities and counties are doing on our Healthy Cities and Parks page.
You can initiate an effort to pass a pesticide phase-out ordinance to reduce and eliminate pesticide use by your local city government, county government, or school district. See our Get Involved page to find out more.
For information on the problems with pesticides, please see our Healthy Schools: Pesticides 101 page.
