CCE works at the local, state and federal level to promote policies and actions to reduce or eliminate the use of dangerous pesticides, while supporting safer, non-toxic, organic solutions for pest management.

Pesticide campaigns:

Protect Long Island Drinking Water
Long Islanders depend on groundwater as our sole source of drinking water. It is critical that we protect this water source to ensure protection of our health and our environment. Unfortunately, new and alarming information complied by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) documents 123 active pesticides found in our water supply. CCE has launched a new campaign that calls for the immediate ban of the worst three toxic pesticide offenders: metalaxyl, imidacloprid, and atrazine.

Pesticide Free Schools: Protect Our Children’s Health VICTORY!
Pesticides are often used both indoors and outdoors at our schools, to kill insects, weeds, and fungus. Children are more sensitive to toxic exposure due their developing and smaller bodies, yet toxic pesticides remain in widespread use in and around our schools. Fortunately, schools can eliminate their use of hazardous pesticides while successfully and cost-effectively managing pest problems on school playing fields and green spaces. CCE is working to ban the use of non-essential pesticides on outdoor school grounds in NYS schools K – 12, as well as daycare facilities. Learn more and take action to ban non-essential pesticides on outdoor school grounds in NYS.

Pesticide Neighbor Notification: We Deserve the Right to Know
Each year, hundreds of thousands of pounds of pesticides are used on residential lawns in counties in New York State, mostly for aesthetic purposes. When commercial applicators spray pesticides, the chemicals frequently drift onto adjacent properties, potentially putting neighbors’ health, as well as their pets and property, at risk to pesticide exposure. CCE believes that the public should have advanced notice when pesticide applicators are coming to spray toxic pesticides near their homes. Advanced notice allows the public to take precautions to avoid unnecessary exposure. The NYS Pesticide Neighbor Notification (PNN) Law is a common-sense measure that gives the public the right to know when toxic pesticides are sprayed on abutting properties.

Reducing Pesticide use for Mosquito Control / West Nile Virus
The discovery of West Nile Virus (WNV) in the United States in 1999 has put a great deal of focus on the issues of mosquito-borne illnesses and the use of chemical pesticides for mosquito control. CCE has monitored the virus since its discovery, and it has done a great deal of research on the nature of WNV and its effects on public health.

Special Feature: Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing Initiative
A new, exciting initiative has been launched on Long Island: the Long Island Sustainable Winegrowers. The initiative focuses on a certification process where wineries pledge to build healthy vineyards and a healthy workplace.

Updated by tbono 11/9/12