<h2>Midwest Grows Green: Community Engagement<a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/KeepOnGrass_sign_generic1.jpg"><img class="alignright wp-image-2389 " src="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/KeepOnGrass_sign_generic1-200x300.jpg" alt="KeepOnGrass_sign_generic" width="165" height="248" /></a></h2>
As communities grow land is increasingly devoted to lawns.  The unfortunate truth is those lawns are typically managed using 300% to 400% more pesticides and fertilizers per acre than farmland.  What’s applied are primarily synthetic lawn care products and has led to the pollution of our waterways through runoff and negative impacts on the health of people, pets, and wildlife.

MPAC has created the Midwest Grows Green Community Engagement program to help homeowners and other land managers understand the impacts of their practices and how to make them more sustainable.  Several resources have been developed to help concerned residents educate and engage their communities on natural lawn care. We work with community activists and organizers to create a campaign that encourages the adoption of natural lawn care practices to reduce the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers that are harmful to health and the environment. MPAC works with the community to develop customized resources and events promoting natural lawn care that reflect specific community concerns.

Here are examples of the resources provided for community engagement activities:
<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>1. Keep On the Grass Pledge</strong></p>
<p style="padding-left: 30px;">This piece is designed to encourage homeowners and other land managers to take the <a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/MWGG_Pledge.pdf">Pledge</a>  to commit to a healthier community by eliminating synthetic chemical use on their lawn.  It can be distributed at community events such as block parties and farmers markets.  Those who sign the pledge can receive a free “Keep ON the Grass” sign to place on their sustainably managed lawn indicating it’s safe for all activities at all times.</p>


[caption id="attachment_2309" align="alignleft" width="212"]<a href="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/MWGG-Tips-on-Keeping-Yards-Green-and-Waters-Clean.jpg"><img class="wp-image-2309" src="http://midwestpesticideaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/MWGG-Tips-on-Keeping-Yards-Green-and-Waters-Clean-300x231.jpg" alt="MWGG-Tips-on-Keeping-Yards-Green-and-Waters-Clean" width="212" height="163" /></a> Click to view the pamphlet.[/caption]

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<p style="padding-left: 30px;"><strong>2. Tips on Keeping our Yards Green &amp; Waters Clean</strong></p>
This pamphlet can be customized for community needs. It gives tips on how to reduce water pollution while maintaining beautiful outdoor spaces that are safe for people and pets to enjoy.

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For more information about this and other Midwest Grows Green programs, contact Midwest Pesticide Action Center at <a href="mailto:general@pesticideaction.org">general@pesticideaction.org</a> and “Midwest Grows Green” as the subject.  Or, call us at (773) 878-7378.