Zero Toxins
Rethinking Plastics Forum January 2008

presented by Novato Live Well Network and Green Sangha. Ed Mainland, Secretary of Sustainable Novato was a featured speaker. www.greensangha.org

Two simple things you can do today:

  • take reusable bags on your shopping trips, say no to plastic
  • bring back the "punchbowl brigade" or carry your water in metal or glass containers instead of plastic

Zero Toxins/Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Sub-Committee
Our mission is to reduce the chemical and toxic burdens of Novato citizens through education and outreach. We aim to protect our common use areas and follow the precautionary principle to protect our most vulnerable residents (children, seniors and immune system compromised) and future generations.

  • We need your help to help pass a City of Novato IPM resolution in 2008 similar to the 2007 IPM resolution passed by the City of San Rafael. Contact: Marie Chan

Alternatives to chemical herbicides for large-scale weed abatement such as Waipuna Hot Foam and Hydro Mechanical Obliteration demonstrations take place around Novato.

  • To be notified of future Hydro Mechanical Obliteration (HMO), (a weed abatement method using high pressure water) demonstrations contact: Veronica Valero

What is the Precautionary Principal?
"Instead of asking the basic risk-assessment question – "How much harm is allowable?" – the precautionary approach asks, 'How little harm is possible?'
In sum: Faced with reasonable suspicion of harm, the precautionary approach urges a full evaluation of available alternatives for the purpose of preventing or minimizing harm." ~ Peter Montague

First articulated in 1992 at a UN Conference in Rio, A Precautionary Ordinance was passed in San Francisco in 2002. Link to the Precautionary Principal article by Peter Montague with further links for research: http://www.precaution.org/lib/pp_def.htm

Community Gardens

As part of our Sustainable Novato IPM outreach program we are support the formation of community gardens in Novato, now a project of MarinLink. Interested gardeners continue to look for a permanent location and secure funding.
See: www.novatolivewell.org

MCSTOPPP Classes "Protecting Children, Pets and the Environment"
We have also instigated a partnership between Novato Parks and Rec and Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (MCSTOPP) for ongoing community education. Classes are offered in the Parks and Rec Activities Guide. www.mcstoppp.org

Master Gardeners
We have a close connection with many Marin Master Gardeners and support their advocacy work for IPM. They are members of the NUSD IPM Committee and serve on SN's IPM Subcommittee. Marin Master Gardeners have a booth at the Novato Farmer's Market on alternate Tuesday afternoons from April through October. They will help you identify bugs or provide you with information on how to plant with California natives. MG help desk in Novato: (415) 449-4204.

Looking ahead

A special thank you to the Marin County Stormwater Pollution Prevention Program (MCSTOPPP) and Gina Purin for their generous support with educational outreach materials, information and contacts. The Pesticide Education Group of Marin and Marin Beyond Pesticides, Ginger Souders-Mason, have provided educational support to the SN Sub-committee.

The Lazy Gardener, Jeanne Santangelo, SN Board Member, is a garden writer for the weekly Novato Advance and advocates for sustainable gardening practices including IPM and organic gardening. www.lazygardener.org