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BUFFALO PUBLIC SCHOOLS |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 26, 2005 By: Buffalo Public Schools Awarded IPM STAR Certification: IPM STAR rewards excellence in managing pests and pesticide hazards BUFFALO, New York – The Buffalo Public School district has been recognized for its pioneering efforts to reduce the exposure of its students to pesticides. “This is especially important because children are more vulnerable than adults to both pests and pesticides,” says Tom Green, entomologist and president of the IPM Institute of North America, sponsor of the award. That’s why the district decided to use IPM in the first place, notes Robert Rua, director of Building Safety& Health for the district. Using IPM -- integrated pest management -- cuts back on pesticides by focusing on long-term, preventative solutions. “School administrators, staff and contractors jump plenty of hurdles to meet our high standards for least-risk pest management,” says Green. “It’s not a beauty contest.” Buffalo is the only school district in the state with active IPM STAR status, says Lynn Braband, community IPM educator with Cornell Cooperative Extension. “But four other districts are enrolled in our two-year school IPM project. By the time they’re finished, they’ll be eligible for certification.” Rich Muscarella of Ashland Pest Control kick-started Buffalo’s IPM program 15 years ago. “There were no guidelines at the time,” Muscarella says. “We developed an inspection sheet and pest sightings log book, and expanded from there.” Muscarella’s technicians and school staff correct the conditions that provide food, water and shelter to pests. Muscarella has eliminated pesticide sprays entirely, using only baits -- placed in areas kids can’t get to -- for ants, cockroaches, and other creepy-crawlies. Which pests are students most likely to encounter? “Wasps and hornets,” says Muscarella. To repel them, he relies on least-toxic mint oils and other plant oil products. Sometimes, too, German cockroaches move in on the cafeterias -- arriving as stowaways in cartons of food, paper towels, and the like. “Our food service people make our job easy,” says Rua. “They inspect incoming shipments and keep kitchen and food storage areas clean and free of clutter -- which keeps pest problems to a minimum.” The award, given in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Pesticide Stewardship Program, is presented only after a school passes a rigorous onsite evaluation. It will be presented on April 27, 2005 in Buffalo. Visit the Institute’s website at www.ipminstitute.org for more information. Contact: Lynn Braband, Community IPM Extension Educator, Cornell University, NYSAES, 630 W. North St., Geneva NY 14456, (315) 787-2408, Fax (315) 787-2360, Email Robert Rua, Director of Building Safety & Health, Buffalo Public Schools, 713 City Hall, Buffalo NY 14202, (716) 851-3673, Fax (716) 851-3526, Email Thomas Green, Ph.D., President, IPM Institute of North America, 4510 Regent St., Madison WI 53705, (608) 232-1410, Fax (608) 232-1440, Email
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