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Press ReleaseSALT LAKE CITY -- The Salt Lake City School District is the only school district in the nation to win the International Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Excellence Award. This international award, sought by dozens of highly recognized IPM programs from around the world, was presented to only five recipients and one school district.
The District was chosen for this honor because it displayed notable contributions to 1) improving economic benefits related to IPM adoption, 2) reducing potential human health risks, and/or 3) minimizing adverse environmental effects. IPM users, promoters, service providers, and others that have demonstrated outstanding contributions to IPM implementation, promotion, or service, especially those having a direct and positive impact, were nominated for this prestigious award.
"We are proud of our Integrated Pest Management program and for this international recognition of our many efforts to become better stewards of the environment," said Gregg Smith, Director of Facility Services.
Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to reduce the risks from pests and pesticides, the Salt Lake City School District Facility Services Department, with assistance from the Utah Department of Agriculture & Food and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, has drastically reduced student and staff exposure to dangerous pesticides and pests since 2006. In doing so, the District has often been recognized as a national model for the implementation of children's health protection.
About IPM
Integrated Pest Management is a long-standing, science-based, decision-making process that identifies and reduces risks from pests and pest management related strategies. It coordinates the use of pest biology, environmental information, and available technology to prevent unacceptable levels of pest damage by the most economical means, while posing the least possible risk to people, property, resources, and the environment.
