What is IPM and Why Do Communities Need It?

NCAP assists communities to plan for and implement better pest management. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is all about being smart and strategic about pest control. IPM helps organizations like municipalities and schools protect the communities they serve, by keeping a focus on community health while achieving pest management goals for cherished public spaces and buildings. IPM brings long term economic benefits and qualifying IPM plans may be included in LEED certification.

What NCAP Offers:

NCAP helps cities and communities craft IPM policies as well as detailed IPM plans. We assist with:

• Identifying and clarifying IPM needs and goals
• Establishing practices that follow IPM principles
• Keeping a focus on effective, low risk methods
• Providing models for contract specifications
• Working with community leaders and staff to advance IPM

We offer expertise in ecologically sound management methods for landscapes and buildings, pest prevention techniques, pest identification and monitoring methods, developing tolerance thresholds, and pesticide risk evaluation.

NCAP’s IPM Projects History:

King County, WA (2018-Ongoing)

NCAP is providing technical assistance to Council members and support to current efforts to improve IPM policies and procedures in King County and reduce the use of pesticides.

City of Bothell, WA (2018-Ongoing)

Staff is providing technical assistance for an update of the IPM program after city departments merged.

Snohomish County, WA (2017-Ongoing)

NCAP is providing technical assistance and support to current efforts to pass a county-wide interdepartmental IPM policy for Snohomish County.

City of Seattle, WA (2017-Ongoing)

NCAP provides technical assistance as a Technical Advisor on the City of Seattle’s IPM Interdepartmental Team. The IPM program is currently being updated to restrict the use of glyphosate.

Over the past decade, NCAP has partnered with the City on a number of projects, including guides for parks departments for non-herbicidal landscaping techniques and an online web portal of resources and networking opportunities for landscape professionals.

City of Wilsonville, OR (2017-2018)

NCAP worked with the City of Wilsonville and staff in Parks, Public Works, and Natural Resources to develop a comprehensive city-wide IPM plan. The plan includes IPM goals, key cultural practices for preventing and minimizing pest issues on six types of sites, zoned management, pest action thresholds, implementation guidelines, template language for contracted pest control, and management strategies for selected pests of concern. NCAP also provided pesticide hazard screening information to the City.

Northshore School District, WA (2016-Ongoing)

NCAP staff assisted the Northshore School District with drafting the Northshore IPM Policy and Procedures document and drafted a IPM protocols document which is currently under review. NCAP also organized parents and teachers to provide testimony to the school board; and NCAP currently serves on the District’s IPM committee as a Community Representative.

City of Everett, WA (2012-2008)

Staff engaged community to support development of an Everett Parks Department IPM plan and provided technical assistance to the Parks Board in 2012.

Statewide/Regional Efforts:

Oregon IPM in Schools

NCAP staff participated in a stakeholder group to develop and pass a law requiring IPM in Oregon K-12 schools.  In 2015, NCAP analyzed Oregon school IPM implementation effectiveness through a survey of IPM coordinators and policy summary.

NCAP created resources for health inspectors to comply with the Oregon IPM in Schools law, including a staff training video and resources to school health inspectors.

Washington IPM in Schools

NCAP worked with state legislators in 2015 to advance a school IPM law in Washington schools. Staff attended and supported a stakeholder workshop in 2015-2016 with senators.

NCAP worked with Washington State PTA parent leaders, passing a PTA membership approved resolution to support environmental health standards and promote IPM plans in Washington Schools.

Need an IPM plan or policy for your organization?  Or trainings for your staff? Contact us at [email protected] to learn more.