Landscape IPM Training for Local Government Employees
Project description and objectives:
An IPM training program was developed for landscape maintenance government 
employees. The primary goals of the program were to teach government employees who are responsible for maintaining public landscapes about IPM concepts and how to implement them in daily activities. The secondary goal was to introduce IPM to the public and inform them that city employees have gone through the training. To meet these goals, the program consisted of lectures, activities, resource materials, and a marketing campaign.
Project activities:
The topics of basic plant biology, common landscape pests and diseases, insect IPM, weed IPM, disease IPM, landscape best management practices and scouting 
were presented by local area extension agents and a specialist. To reinforce these concepts, various resources were used. Each participant received a folder that contained selected University of Florida/IFAS IPM publications available through the Florida IPM website. Insect, Disease and Weed IPM forms were created and used during the scouting session. University of Florida/IFAS pest identification decks and IPM posters were given away as door prizes and awards. A booklet was created “Pest Identification and Management: Indian River County” and given to participants. Pests were organized in the booklet by host with a picture and a management summary of biological, chemical and culture methods.
Project accomplishments:
A total of thirteen landscape maintenance personnel attended the training. 
Participants had an increase in knowledge from the lecture portion of the program. The average score of the pre-test was 23%; the post-test average score was 54%, and 85% had an increase in individual scores. According to the class evaluation, all participants were satisfied with the training. 92% said they would implement the training recommendations. 85 – 92% indicated they had an increase in knowledge on the various topics discussed. 100% of the participants rated the program either good or excellent.
A public awareness campaign was developed to inform citizens of the landscaping employees’ IPM training and to introduce IPM concepts to the public. A press release summarizing the program was sent to the local media. With the assistance of IFAS Communications, a brochure and banner were created that summarized the IPM concepts. They were placed in the City Hall and the North County Library in Sebastian. Approximately 150 brochures have been distributed and 150 more will be dispersed over the next few months.
- View the IPM banner (372KB pdf)
Project leaders:
- Dr. Janet Bargar, Indian River County Extension
- Dr. Christine Kelly-Begazo, Indian River County Extension