IPM Ordinances

Once Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is adopted as official city policy, it provides a stronger legal foundation for taking preventative actions and a starting point for proactive public engagement. 

Below is a list of states that codified IPM.

IPM Challenges

Under IPM, some pests and diseases will need to be treated with chemicals. Even after all other methods have been ruled out, that option creates a difficult challenge for local policymakers.

In this black and white photo from 1917, two men are applying pesticides to one tree in an orchard. One man is holding and pumping a pumping the chemicals, while the other man is holding a long sprayer that is connected to the pump via short hose. The man holding the long sprayer is holding the sprayer up to touch the leaves near the top of one tree.
As early as 1917, use of chemicals to keep trees healthy was controversial.

Here’s examples of communities that confronted this challenge.

Cape Cod, MA
Montgomery County, MD
Burlington, VT
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Related Resources

  • Tools

Indianapolis Region: Tree Species Vulnerability Assessment
  • Tools

Boston Region: Tree Species Vulnerability Assessment
  • Organizations

Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science
  • Guide Steps

Forest Health Action Guide Step Four: Don’t Wait for the Future
  • Tools

Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s Urban and Community Forest Sustainability Standard
  • Organizations

Sustainable Forestry Initiative
Resource Library