Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/46524
he Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) has been both vocal and uncompromising in its position against the use of pesticides outside of agriculture, forestry and infrastructure. The Society, in partnership with Toxic Free Canada, introduced model legislation as part of the 60 day on- line public consultation process early in 2010 and in addition to adopting some of the standards set in the Province of Ontario's ban, the Society's proposed bill went further to include: • immediate ban on use of cosmetic pesticides on all sports fields – including those being used for an international or national event; • municipalities to pass stronger cosmetic pesticide bylaws, as they have done in passing smoke-free bylaws; • ban on the use of cosmetic pesticides on B.C. golf courses within three years; and, • establishment of a public education campaign and 'white list' of low risk products that can be used as alternatives to cosmetic pesticides. More recently, the CCS contacted a Victoria golf course to talk about their maintenance approach. In an early September email to Cordova Bay Golf Course, Britt Karlstrom, Public Outreach Specialist for the Society's BC & Yukon Division, stated, "I would like to find a best practice model that can be replicated around the Province for other golf courses." Karlstrom, who has been with the CCS for only a few months continued, "I have branched out from the energy sector and now work with the CCS on their environmental DEAN PILLER IS SUCCESSFULLY BALANCING THE ENVIRONMENT AND HIS GOLF COURSE health campaign; specifically, pesticides." A meeting at Cordova Bay Golf Course took place on September 21 with Karlstrom and Nancy Falconer, Health Promotion Coordinator representing the CCS along with Dean Piller, Cordova Bay Superintendent, Scott Morrison from Out on a Limb Environmental Consulting and myself attending. The meeting began with Mr. Piller providing some background about his career along with his philosophy about pesticides. He gave a brief outline of the different types of pesticides, what they are used for and in general, how much of each was used at Cordova Bay. Piller then provided a comprehensive explanation of the Audubon Sanctuary Program for golf courses including real life examples of specific practices Cordova Bay had implemented. He outlined several of Cordova's current initiatives like their crayfish introduction program to help control pond algae noting that the Audubon methodology and philosophy do not stop once certification status is achieved. He was also sure to note, on several occasions, that Cordova Bay's practices were not completely unique to the industry. FOOD PRODUCTION AND GOLF COMPOST PRODUCED ON SITE The meeting was followed by a tour of the property. The first stop was an area to the right of the 18th hole that had been set aside for naturalization. As the tour progressed, we viewed several specific examples of Cordova Bay's initiatives including the nearly half acre vegetable garden that supplies the clubhouse restaurant with fresh produce much of the year. "The balance between the environment and golfer's needs is something we take very seriously," said Piller, adding "it's sometimes a process of trial and error." "Pesticides, in particular fungicides, should be considered medicine for plants, taken only when needed," he stated. The tour concluded with a visit to the turf management centre. Questions about fertilization and compost had come up during the tour and this was an opportunity for Mr. Piller to present his in-house compost production program, explain the process, the materials used and how it contributed to the sustainability of the golf course. Both CCS representatives were visibly impressed with what they had seen.I had pointed out earlier that golfers live longer than the average person and we saw evidence of that statement on the course. To conclude, Piller suggested the Canadian Cancer Society, in its cancer prevention efforts, consider 'rubber stamping' the game of golf as a way to help promote healthy lifestyles involving physical fitness activities. In a follow up email to Britt and Nancy thanking them for coming, I presented the idea of having the CCS sponsor some form of environmental achievement award for golf courses. I also reiterated Deans idea about rubber stamping golf as a healthy lifestyle activity and mentioned that funding to find alternatives to traditional pesticides would be helpful.