Department of Pesticide Regulation Announces Winners of Annual IPM Achievement Awards; Ceremony Scheduled on Feb. 26
SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Pesticide Regulation today announced the winners of this year’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Achievement Awards, the department’s annual recognition of notable programs and organization across the state that focus on using the least-toxic methods to safely and effectively manage pests.
IPM is any approach that uses the least-toxic, effective method to solve pest problems. Sustainable Pest Management (SPM) is a whole-system approach that builds on the decades-long practice of IPM to include the wider consideration of pest management impacts on communities and the environment; impacts of climate change and extreme weather on pest pressures; and availability of economically viable pest management solutions that support stable and affordable food production.
This year’s winners include San Francisco-based Pollinator Partnership, University of California Master Gardeners of Ventura County and the University of California Santa Cruz’s Grounds Services.
“As we work to foster sustainable pest management (SPM) in California, the leaders and innovators we are recognizing at this year’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Achievement Awards provide a model for others looking to increase practical adoption of IPM and SPM,” said DPR Director Karen Morrison. “Our winners this year have many significant investments in advancing IPM, conducting outreach to train others on safe, effective and sustainable pest management approaches, and are notable leaders in environmental stewardship.”
The 2025 event will include IPM exhibits for networking and learning opportunities, a keynote panel discussion on the state’s work to accelerate sustainable pest management, and an awards ceremony.
IPM Achievement Awards Ceremony and Event Details
When: Feb. 26. IPM exhibits open at 12:30, keynote panel discussion to begin at 1:15 p.m. and the award ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m.
Where: California Environmental Protection Agency, 1001 I St., Sacramento, in the second-floor mezzanine and Sierra Hearing Room. The ceremony will also be streamed on Zoom – registration is required on the Zoom website. Spanish interpretation will be provided in-person and on Zoom.
What: The expanded IPM Achievement Awards event will include exhibits and opportunities for networking and educational resources, a keynote panel discussion to highlight SPM opportunities and collaborative opportunities, and a ceremony to highlight and celebrate the annual IPM Achievement Award winners.
- Exhibitors include UC IPM, and UC ANR Urban IPM Advisors, CDFA, California Invasive Plant Council, among others.
- Keynote panelists include Karen Cowan, Executive Director for the California Stormwater Quality Association, Scott Park, founder of Park Farming Organics and Lisa Worthington, Chief of Natural Resources Management at Caltrans.
- Award ceremony to include remarks from state leaders, including California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Yana Garcia, California Department of Food and Agriculture Undersecretary Christine Birdsong, California legislators and IPM Achievement Award winners.
IPM Achievement Award Winners
Pollinator Partnership for Protecting Pollinators and Biodiversity Through IPM-Focused Programs Providing Practical Pest Management Resources, Certifying Farmers That Practice IPM and Funding Research.
Pollinator Partnership (P2), a nationwide nonprofit organization based in San Francisco, promotes IPM practices that protect pollinator health and the environment.
Pollinator Partnership’s multi-faceted approach includes education, research and conservation. P2 provides information to farmers, schools and the public about pollinator protection and best management practices to support pollinators on its website, conducts outreach activities including school presentations and farm workshops, and maintains an active social network. P2 also offers multiple grant opportunities—like a current $1 million grant to help California farmers build pollinator habitat or expand their use of IPM practices—and participates in collaborative IPM research efforts throughout the country. P2 also works with land stewards on nationwide conservation efforts to create, enhance or restore pollinator habitat.
Pollinator Partnership’s mission and programs reflect SPM principles, with a strong emphasis on environmental stewardship and protecting biodiversity. P2 also manages the Bee Friendly Farming certification program—which was included as an example in the SPM Roadmap as a market-based program aligned with SPM objectives. Bee Friendly Farming certification provides guidelines for growers to help protect, preserve and promote pollinator health. To be certified, growers must commit to using sustainable and pollinator-friendly practices, including IPM.
Pollinator Partnership’s dedication to environmental sustainability and IPM cements its position as a leader and supporter of IPM adoption throughout California and beyond.
University of California Master Gardeners of Ventura County for Expanding IPM Knowledge and Practices for Gardening Through Extensive, Multilingual Outreach and Hands-On Support and Guidance.
The University of California Master Gardeners of Ventura County (MGVC), which includes 175 master gardener volunteers serving the 800,000 residents of Ventura County, conducts extensive IPM-focused outreach and education for gardening pest management.
MGVC stands out for its extensive IPM-focused outreach and education efforts, including for preventing locally relevant invasive species in Ventura County.
In addition to the 10 demonstration gardens maintained throughout the county, MGVC performs habitat restoration work to support the rare and native species that can be found on the Channel Islands and in the Santa Monica Mountains. MGVC provides support for local invasive species control efforts by offering resources developed by the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources on their website and by maintaining a unique committee, the Invasive and Beneficial Outreach Group. MGVC also hosts multilingual gardening and IPM educational events, conducts outreach at community events and demonstration gardens, and answers pest management questions from the public via its Home Gardening Help Desk.
MGVC’s dedication to environmental stewardship and the advancement of safer, more sustainable IPM practices for the residents of Ventura County through extensive information-sharing efforts is commendable.
University of California, Santa Cruz Grounds Services for Demonstrating Environmental Stewardship and the Protection of Endangered Species and Preserving its Developed and Wildland Spaces While Managing Pests on a University Campus.
University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) Grounds Services practices an IPM approach that considers the campus’s natural ecosystem when making pest management decisions.
Located within a redwood forest in the Santa Cruz Mountains, UCSC Grounds Services must safely and sustainably manage pests within an urban-wildlife interface. In addition to the 10,000 campus residents, the campus is also home to endangered Ohlone tiger beetles, threatened red-legged frogs, mountain lions, bobcats and more. UCSC Grounds Services is responsible for maintaining the 440 acres of developed campus grounds, including landscaped and hardscaped areas, roads, turf and athletic facilities, as well as the 1,500 acres of undeveloped campus property that remains as natural habitat for wildlife.
UCSC Grounds Services developed its IPM Program in 2016 and was the first UC campus to establish a Pest Management Coordinator position specifically tasked with in-house pest exclusion work, which has led to cost savings. Grounds Services staff focus on non-chemical preventative methods, use insecticides and herbicides sparingly, and do not use any rodenticides.
UCSC Grounds Services effectively manages pests using an IPM approach that exemplifies SPM through ecosystem and land protection and minimal pesticide use, leading to economic benefits.