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 pilot program was successful, and the practices have now expanded to most city parks.
Reducing the use of pesticides throughout the city’s park system is part of our larger sustainability goals. It aligns with city initiatives laid out in Boise's Climate Action Roadmap to protect and enhance our natural environments and waters. We continue to move forward with innovative ways to improve park maintenance strategies.