County of Kaua‘i Pilots Pesticide-Free Training

Department of Parks and Recreation staff at Kapa‘a Beach Park take part in pesticide-free training on Feb. 21. Photo courtesy of County of Kaua‘i

The County of Kaua‘i’s Department of Parks and Recreation and Public Works Roads Division staff took part in pilot, pesticide-free trainings Feb. 20 and 21, according to a county news release.

“We are working with the nonprofit Beyond Pesticides to explore pesticide-free training methods to maintain our County facilities,” Mayor Derek Kawakami said. “County staff piloted this training at the Captain Cook Park in Waimea and the Kapa‘a Beach Park.”

Training focused on turf health, landscape areas, as well as weed management for roads and other areas.

Pesticide-free land care focuses on managing weeds and insects through the building of soil conditions and employing cultural practices, such as aeration, overseeding, dethatching, and proper mowing and watering, according to Beyond Pesticides representatives.

County workers piloted a weed steamer to control vegetation in Kapa‘a on Friday. Photo courtesy of County of Kaua‘i

Department of Parks and Recreation staff at Captain Cook Park in Waimea take part in pesticide-free training on Feb. 20. Photo courtesy of County of Kaua‘i