Oakhurst, NJ - The environmentally friendly ladybug is alive and well at Ocean Township parks, thanks to a newly adopted Township policy that declares parks and playgrounds as "Pesticide Free Zones."

According to Ray Pogwist, Chair of the Ocean Township Environmental Commission, the integrated pest management policy for the township identifies key sensitive areas like the village parks to be managed without harmful chemical pesticides. Integrated pest management (IPM) calls for the management of insects, undesired plants, and plant diseases with tools that are least likely to impact human health or the environment.

"Ocean Township's action reinforces their commitment to protecting parks and open spaces and reducing its pesticide use," said Jane Nogaki, program coordinator for NJ Environmental Federation (NJEF). "Since IPM is now the law on all New Jersey school grounds, it makes perfect sense to try to expand it to all public property as well. We're here today to help spread the word and to encourage individual homeowners to consider reducing or eliminating their own pesticide use."

I am pleased that when residents and visitors use the parks, they will not be exposed to pesticides. That was always important to me when my children were small, said Nogaki.

The Township of Ocean joins 38 other communities, and is one of six communities Monmouth, which the NJ Environmental Federation has worked with to designate Pesticide Free Zones in parks including Asbury Park, Colts Neck Hazlet, Neptune, Wall, East and West Windsor, Irvington, Newark, Manasquan, Ocean City, Pine Beach, and the counties of Burlington and Cape May.

Many scientific studies indicate that pesticides threaten the public's health by increasing the risk of cancer, learning disabilities, asthma, birth defects, and reproductive problems. These chemicals can also poison animals, pollute local streams and rivers and seep through the ground into underground aquifers. Every body of water tested in NJ has evidence of pesticide contamination, according to a study by the US Geological Survey. Children are especially sensitive and vulnerable because of their rapid development and behavior patterns. Currently New Jersey uses about 4 million pounds of pesticides annually for lawn care, mosquito control, agricultural production, and golf course maintenance.

"We especially want to protect children because they are closer to pesticide applications on the ground, and they are still developing and absorb more pesticides than adults," said Nogaki.

Fortunately, alternatives exists that are cost effective and friendly to the environment, simple things like hand pulling weeds, mowing at a height of 3 inches to shade out weeds, mulching areas properly to prevent weeds, planting native plants that don't get insect problems, and reducing or eliminating lawns to cut down on the need for watering, fertilizing and mowing.

"We need residents to do their part in reducing pesticides in our environment and keeping our air, water and land safe from toxic chemicals," said Ray Pogwist, chair of the Ocean Twp. Environmental Commission who brought the PFZ resolution to the attention of the town elected officials. "Residents can participate by making their own property a "Pesticide Free Zone."

Non toxic lawn care tips and "Pesticide Free Zone" ladybug logo yard signs are available. For more information, visit http://www.cleanwateraction.org/programinitiative/pesticides-free-campaign or contact Jane Nogaki, NJEF's Pesticides Campaign Coordinator at 856-767-1110 or janogaki@cleanwater.org. Natural methods of pest control are also available from Master Gardeners of Monmouth County, 732-303-7614.

Ocean Township manages the following parks, as well as Colonial Golf Course:

• Community Pool and Tennis Facility - West Park Avenue, Oakhurst
• Joe Palaia Park - Dow Avenue and Whalepond Road, Oakhurst
• Oakhurst First Aid & Fire Company Memorial Fields - off Larkin Place Oakhurst
• Wanamassa Firemen's Memorial Park - off Sunset Avenue, Wanamassa
• Dave Dahrouge - Park Blvd. & Logan Road, Wanamassa
• Wayside Park - Green Grove Road, Wayside

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