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 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.

Pilot Program Completion

Since 2020 when the Pesticide Use Reduction Pilot Program was implemented, Boise Parks and Recreation has successfully reduced overall pesticide applications by more than 40%, applications of glyphosate-based herbicides by more than 80% and eliminated the use of neonicotinoid insecticides.

2022 was the final year of the pilot program. In 2023, the department built these successes into our ongoing park maintenance policies.

Information on the pilot program was published in annual Pesticide Application Reports:

• 2020 Pesticide Application Report
• 2021 Pesticide Application Report
• 2022 Pesticide Application Report
• 2023/2024 Pesticide Application Report

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 add an unnecessary chemical burden to the areas where we and our children play and relax. 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

The Boise Parks and Recreation team is using pilot program data and community feedback to potentially implement broader policy changes for ongoing implementation and study.

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) 608-7843
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