| Welcome to the Pesticide Free Zoneby Philip DickeyHave you been wishing for a way to identify your home landscape asfree from toxic pesticides? Well, we've got good news. Welcome to thePesticide Free Zone, a project to mark unsprayed landscapes withattractive signs (see illustration). Originating in Marin County,California, the signs are being brought to Washington by theWashington Toxics Coalition. We're hoping to get thousands of thesesigns out there in neighborhoods to show that we are gardeningnaturally. The eight-inch diameter aluminum signs are permanent and have twomounting holes that allow them to be attached to a stake, fence, orwall or hung from a wire. The cost will be $7.50 each, includingshipping and Washington State sales tax. Some retail stores in theSeattle area will also be selling the signs. If you pick up the signsat our office or at our table at an event, you will save $1.00. Thesign comes with three fact sheets: What's Wrong with UsingPesticides?, Talking to your Neighbor about Pesticides, and thePesticide Free Zone Sign Owners Manual. In addition, purchasers of thesign will receive a one-time discount on our popular Home Safe Homefact sheets. One of the questions we're being asked frequently is: What does"pesticide free" mean? Ideally, this means that no chemical pestcontrols at all are used. However, we consider the use of organicallycertified materials and EPA-exempt pesticides to be compatible withour philosophy because we want to encourage manufacturers to developsafer products. We distribute the signs on the honor system. We don'task or monitor what materials you use. If you feel that the signaccurately reflects your practices, you should display it. Should youhave questions about the suitability of any products, please feel freeto call the Toxics Coalition for more information at 206-632-1545.To get your signs, you can mail in a check or contact our office byphone. Our address is Washington Toxics Coalition, 4649 SunnysideAvenue N, Suite 540, Seattle, WA 98103. Alternatively, you can visitour website (www.watoxics.org), print out the special order form, andmail it in. If you want to get a pile of signs for your neighborhoodor for friends and relatives, let us know and we'll make arrangementsto get them to you. You are setting an excellent example for yourneighbors by not using pesticides, and you have a right to be proud.We hope you'll display your sign right away and be willing to shareyour philosophy and your techniques with your friends and neighbors. Philip Dickey is Staff Scientist at the Washington Toxics Coalition.
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