MAINE YardScaping PARTNERSHIP - A SUCCESSFUL MODEL IN PUBLIC - PRIVATE COOPERATION

The Maine YardScaping Partnership is a successful example of public - private cooperation which includes State agencies, NGOs and private businesses all working towards implementation of ecological and sustainable landscaping practices.

The YardScaping partnership formed out of the rising concern among statewide organizations and agencies over the possible pollution caused by yard care chemicals washing away into water bodies and the risks of pesticide exposure to people, pets and wildlife.

The mission of the partnership is to inspire Maine people to create and maintain healthy landscapes through ecologically based practices that minimize reliance on water, fertilizer and pesticides.

Guiding Principles

* Promote buffers

* Promote appropriate plants - native plants and non-invasive alien plants

* Reduce lawn area

* Reduce runoff

* Reduce reliance on pesticides, fertilizers and water

* Promote low input lawns and landscapes

* Promote landscape diversity

* Create wildlife habitats

* Right plant, right place, right use

* Commonsense pest management (IPM)

This presentation will cover the origins of the partnership and how it has grown to be a resource and brand that Maine people have started to believe in. It will also highlight the successes and failures of the last 10 years and what the future has in store for Maine YardScaping.