Pesticide Reduction Program

The Boise Parks and Recreation Department manages more than 1,600 acres of park land, and more than 5,000 acres of open space across the City of Boise. To promote sustainable practices and stay on the cutting edge of public land management, the department embarked on a three-year pilot program in 2020 to study alternative land management techniques to reduce the use of pesticides on city-owned property. The program has now expanded to most city parks and is in the final year of the pilot phase.

Reducing the use of pesticides throughout the city’s park system is part of our larger sustainability goal, and we continue to move forward with innovative ways to improve park maintenance strategies.

Information on the first two years of the pilot program is published in the annual Pesticide Application Reports below:

• 2020 Pesticide Application Report
• 2021 Pesticide Application Report

2022 Pilot Program Update

The Pesticide Reduction Program has been implemented at most parks in our system as part of the pilot program. Nine parks and six special use locations were identified as the original pilot sites in 2020, and the program has since expanded to all parks without sports fields or large events. The program has been successful in reducing herbicide applications on broadleaf plants, increasing mowing height, and protecting native pollinator species.

What to Expect

Grass areas could have more dandelions, clover, and other broadleaf plants. These plants are nontoxic for people and pups, and these areas are completely safe for park visitors to enjoy as normal. Treatments help control the population of such plants at our park sites, but keep in mind that the Common Dandelion is one of the few endemic turf weeds that is native to North America. These broadleaf plants are beneficial to the local ecosystem providing food and habitat to native pollinators and adding to the biodiversity of our green spaces.

Boise Parks and Recreation does not seek to eradicate dandelions from our sites. We only try to manage the number and density of plants to maintain usable and aesthetically pleasing turf areas.

Additionally, untrimmed grass may be longer. Cosmetic uses (spraying of tree wells) of glyphosate-based herbicides will be further curtailed at park sites. Untrimmed areas and tree wells can have other plants fill in. Increasing the mowing height for turf improves the overall health of the grass and requires less maintenance resources, like mowing frequency and water.

We will be employing cultural methods to reduce populations (i.e. mowing, fertilizing, aerating, etc.). Neonicotinoid insecticides have been eliminated from use for turfed areas in response to the latest direction from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Next Steps

This is the final year of the pilot phase of the Pesticide Reduction Program (2022). Boise Parks and Recreation will continue to evaluate maintenance techniques and improve practices to combat invasive plants and harmful insects in parks and reserves, while engaging citizens on the benefits of pesticide reduction. Following the summer growing season, Boise Parks and Recreation’s team will use pilot program data and community feedback to potentially implement policy changes that would take effect the next year (2023).

What successful pesticide reduction looks like

Stay in the Know

The Pesticide Reduction Program is in its final phase of the pilot period. Our Integrated Pest Management (IPM) team will evaluate the data collected over the last three years to guide any policy changes or practice improvements.

For more background information about the Pesticide Reduction Program:

• Watch a presentation on the pilot program and next steps from the February, 1 2022 Boise City Council work session (presentation starts at minute 27 of the video)
• Watch a presentation with updates on the program given by Sustainability Specialist Daniel Roop from the June 16, 2022 Boise Parks and Recreation Commission meeting (presentation starts at minute four)
• Stay informed on the program’s goals and next steps with these Frequently Asked Questions
• Want to receive periodic e-mail updates about the Pesticide Reduction Program? Email to join our contact list.

Contact Us

For questions or concerns about current pest management practices or future goals, please feel free to contact the staff below:

Clint Stevens
Horticulture Division Manager
Boise Parks and Recreation Department
(208) 608-7773
Email

Daniel Roop
Sustainability Specialist
Boise Parks and Recreation Department
(208) 608-7611
Email

Martha Brabec
Foothills Restoration Specialist
Boise Parks and Recreation Department
(208) 493-2535
Email