Susan & Lawrence’s
Home Page
G.R.O.U.P.
(Getting Rid of Urban Pesticides)
How to go pesticide-free! And Why!
GROUP members
are people concerned about the unnecessary use of pesticides on urban lawns. We
provide informative workshops on natural lawn care with take-home material and
a choice of appropriate videos. We also
encourage the exchange of ideas among participants on how to make your yard and
community healthier and safer by going pesticide -free.
The 8th Annual Dandelion Festival will be held on Saturday, June 10, 2006 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. in
Waterloo Park.. This family celebration of
biodiversity in your own backyard is a free event, volunteer-run by citizens in
Waterloo Region concerned about the unnecessary use of pesticides.
New
This Year – Guided Organic Garden Tours!
Start the festival off on an inspirational note
this year by registering ahead for an organic garden tour that will demonstrate
a variety of pesticide-free gardens in Waterloo. Guided by Larry Lamb of the
University of Waterloo and a Master Gardener, see and learn how easy and
attractive it is to go pesticide-free, replace your lawn with native and
drought-resistant plantings, grow fruit and vegetables and be good for the
environment!
Bus will leave Father David Bauer parking lot
(Waterloo Park side) at 10:30 and 11:00 a.m. Limited to 12 people per bus. Will
include some walking in uptown Waterloo and bus will return you to parking lot.
Approximately 1½ hours.
Saturday June 10, 2006 10:30 and 11:00. Register
ahead at 578-8508 or dandelion@gto.net
Donation of $5/person requested to cover bus.
Peer Gardeners Project
Be
a Peer Gardener! Many people either do not know or require assistance and
encouragement to go pesticide-free! We can provide you with reference and
handout material and lawn signs that say “Ask Me About Gardening Naturally”.
Also available is the concise booklet “Gardening Naturally…or Chemical Warfare”
written and compiled specifically for Waterloo Region by Susan Koswan. If you
have a pesticide-free garden you’re proud of and would like to provide neighbour-to-neighbour
support, let us know and we can provide you with the materials.
You qualify to be
a Peer Gardener if you:
1.
Refuse to use synthetic pesticides and
fertilizers on their own properties.
2. Practice
organic gardening methods.
3. Are
resourceful. If you don’t have the answer, you will find out.
4. Are
willing to go the extra distance to assist neighbours, friends and families.
5. Do
the above for love not money!
To find a Peer
Gardener in your area or if you’re interested in receiving any of the above material
to equip you as a Peer Gardener, please contact:
Susan
Phone:
519-578-8508
E-mail:
dandelion@gto.net
Related Web Sites
Pesticide Free Ontario
(PFO) – www.pesticidefree.ca is a network of concerned citizens and groups
across the province working to replace the cosmetic use of pesticides with
sustainable practices through education, advocacy and policy development. Links
to contact groups in your area.
Pesticide Reform Ontario
(PRO) – www.pesticidereform.ca is
a project of PFO (see above) to change Ontario’s pesticide legislation to stop
the use and sale of harmful pesticides used for landscaping purposes.