Here in Laytonville, it came to our attention that many of the children attending our local schools were exhibiting adverse health symptoms (spontaneous nose bleeds, headaches, skin rashes, peeling hands, etc.) that might be directly related to the chemical lawn fertilizers, fungicides, weed killers, and rodentcides used at our schools. In our research of this problem, we found that many of these chemicals can indeed cause the above symptoms.
Our group (comprised of teachers, certified farmers, and concerned parents) immediately went to the Laytonville School Board and asked for a minimun one month moratorium on all chemical use on our school grounds. After listening to all the information we had uncovered during our research, the Board quickly voted 5-0 in favor of our moratorium.
We believe that our childrens' health and safety is of the utmost importance and in the last month we have been looking for - and finding - organic methods that are SAFE to use on our school grounds, SAFE for our children, and SAFE for the planet!
The next School Board meeting is September 10...if you want to know what's happening here in Laytonville, or if you're interested in changing the District Policy at your school...contact the Laytonville Environmental Action Center, PO Box 372, Laytonville 95454. Or call 984-8354.
At the Laytonville Environmental Action Center, we are actively involved in many important issues. We are active in forestry reform, ecological reserve system planning, habitat conservation planning, are Regional Coordinators for the California Ancient Forest Alliance, and we are home to MAP RAP (a project of EPIC). We provide information and assistance to watershed groups and individuals and have a full service recycling center located adjacent to our center. We're open Wed thru Sat 9am-9:30pm, Sunday noon-5pm.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2004
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