Sept. 4, 2001
Contact: Julie Schloss, PAAC: 805-963-1625; Eric Cárdenas, EDC: 805-963-1622

SEPTEMEBER DECLARED 'PESTICIDE AWARENESS MONTH'
Local Groups Encourage Communities to Get Involved

SANTA BARBARA, CA.- At a regularly scheduled city council meeting this afternoon, the City of Santa Barbara will officially declare September as Pesticide Awareness Month. This announcement comes as the Pesticide Awareness and Alternatives Coalition (PAAC) ramps up its efforts to engage the community in becoming more involved in the growing Organics movement through a series of community events to be held later this month. PAAC, the Environmental Defense Center (EDC), the Community Environmental Council (CEC) and Hannah-Beth Jackson's office will host a press conference at the steps of De La Guerra Plaza at 1:30pm to announce this historic proclamation. The City will make its official declaration at 2pm.

"We are elated that the city has taken this crucial step in helping raise awareness about the risks posed by pesticide exposure," said Julie Schloss, co-founder of PAAC. "We can only hope that this is a sign of more to come."

With pesticide use on the rise nation-wide, more and more groups are encouraging practices that are protective of human and environmental health. Pesticides are commonly used in homes, schools, agricultural operations, and more, placing community members and their families at risk of exposure.

"This action by the City Council is critically important," said Phil Boise of the CEC. "We all need to pause for a moment and think about where pesticides are used, if they are necessary, or even if they're working for the intended job."

"Pesticides know no boundaries," added Eric Cárdenas of the Central Coast Environmental Health Project (CCEHP). "A pesticide applied around a local school could easily drift, causing a variety of illnesses."

Indeed, recent events around Santa Barbara and Ventura County schools have prompted local legislators and community groups to take action to reduce our dependence on pesticides. Assembly Bill 947, authored by Hannah-Beth Jackson, was written in response to an incident in Ventura where students and staff experienced symptoms of pesticide exposure after a toxic substance, Lorsban, drifted over Mound Elementary School from an adjacent agricultural operation.
"This incident highlighted the need for local and statewide government agencies to become more involved in protecting public health from the risks associated with pesticide exposure," said Assemblymember Hannah-Beth Jackson. "We are happy to see the city taking proactive steps to address this issue."

A series of events are scheduled in the coming weeks to help raise awareness about the hazards posed by exposure to pesticides and effective alternatives. These events include:

• Children's Bug Parade, Sept. 4th, 4:30pm- Following the city's declaration, the bug parade will meet at Haley and State St. and proceed to march through Tuesday afternoon's Farmers Market. Children, parents, and community members of all age and sizes will actively promote going organic by dressing up as beneficial bugs!

•Art Exhibit and Sale, First Annual Ladybug Awards, Sept. 6th, 4-8pm- This event will take place at the University Club at 1338 Santa Barbara St., seeking to promote Organic Awareness Month, raise much needed funds for PAAC, and award community organizations and individuals who have been instrumental in raising pesticide awareness and activism. Award recipients include Assemblywoman Hannah-Beth Jackson, Rodale Organic Living Magazine, Phil Boise and Oscar Carmona (CEC), the Environmental Defense Center, and more. Councilman Gil Garcia will be on hand as the keynote speaker, as will actor Larry Hagman to present the Ladybug Awards.

• Second Annual Organic Festival, Sept 8-9th, 11-5pm- The festival at Oak Park promises to be even more of a success than last year's one-day event which drew over 5,000 people. Come enjoy organically grown food, children's activities, live music and cultural performances, and much more.

For more information on any of the above, contact Julie Schloss at 805-963-1625 or email paac@organicfestival.com.