Call for Nominations for Integrated Pest Management Innovator Awards – Nominations Due March 15th

Are you aware of a group that is using innovative, reduced-risk integrated pest management (IPM) practices and taking a leadership role in promoting these practices? The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) is looking for California groups, organizations, or companies that should be recognized for their innovative approaches to pest management. DPR wants to recognize them with an IPM Innovator Award for their skill, motivation and willingness to share information about new pest management systems. Recognition is given to both agricultural and nonagricultural groups. This year’s awards ceremony will be held in Sacramento during October.

What are the characteristics of an IPM innovator group? An IPM innovator group has developed a collection of practices for dealing with pests in a particular situation or a pest management system. These practices stress the application of biological and cultural pest control techniques. Pesticides are used only when necessary to achieve acceptable levels of control with the least possible harm to non-target organisms and the environment. An IPM innovator group promotes development of the knowledge and cost-effective technique necessary for its particular pest management situation. An IPM innovator group also has a willingness to share technical information both within and outside the group, as well as a research effort and administrative organization that is supportive of the group’s participants.

Once an IPM innovator group has been identified, DPR works with the group and provides incentives to strengthen its program and increase adoption of its approach. DPR helps established groups “spread the word” to other groups so that new groups will form and adopt reduced-risk methods of pest control.

If you would like to nominate a group for an IPM Innovator Award, please complete the enclosed form and send to:

IPM Innovators Program
c/o Mr. Charles D. Hunter
Department of Pesticide Regulation
Pest Management & Licensing Branch
P.O. Box 4015
Sacramento, California 95812-4015

Online information and nomination forms are available at www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/pestmgt/ipminov/ipmmenu.htm.

Nominations must be postmarked or otherwise received by March 15, 2002. Fact sheets, articles, brochures, and promotional materials that describe the group are helpful but not required.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mr. Charles D. Hunter, of my staff, at (916) 324-4264.

Sincerely,