Outdoor public spaces are a vital component of Missoula's active lifestyle. Missoula Parks and Recreation manages over 4,000 acres of public land. We ask Missoula residents to sign on in support of the organic pilot program at McCormick and Community parks while asking our City Council to adopt an official organic land care policy for all Missoula municipal parks, playgrounds, open spaces, and other properties.

This is an important step toward making Missoula a "non toxic" city. Organic land care eliminates toxic, synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Communities across the country—including Irvine, California (with an award winning organic IPM program), Harvard University, and most recently New York City—are stopping routine pesticide applications. Nearby, Spokane, Washington, is also initiating an organic pilot program.

Safe, effective, and proven alternatives exist!

“Missoula Parks and Recreation is essential to the quality and way of life for individuals, families, community, and the environment.” Eliminating toxic pesticide use by adopting organic land care is an opportunity to live up to these standards set forth in the Parks and Recreation Guiding Mission:

• Promoting health and wellness

• Protecting the environment

• Ensuring all people feel safe, welcome, and valued

The most recent 2023 records request from the City of Missoula lists multiple toxic pesticides used on municipal lands. These include:

• Trimec Lawn Weed Killer - 2,4-D, Dicamba, Mecoprop-p

• Interline - Glufosinate-ammonium

• Makaze – Glyphosate

• Gallery SC - Isoxaben

• Dimension 2 EW  - Dithiopyr

• Tordon - Picloram, 2,4-D

• Milestone - Aminopyralid

• Patriot - Metsulfuron methyl

The Precautionary Principle states that “when an activity raises threats of harm to human health or the environment, precautionary measures should be taken even if some cause and effect relationships are not fully established scientifically. In this context the proponent of an activity, rather than the public, should bear the burden of proof.”

Adopting Organic Land Care safeguards human, animal, and environmental health by eliminating toxic, synthetic pesticides and embracing regenerative, sustainable practices that improve soil & plant robustness.

Add your name in support of eliminating toxic pesticides on City of Missoula property, by asking decision makers to adopt an official organic land care policy for all Missoula municipal parks, playgrounds, open spaces, and other properties.

Thanks to Green Lifestyles Network & Non Toxic Communities for hosting this petition for our campaign.