Oxford Goes Non-Toxic

From Northeast Horticultural Services: Northeast Horticultural Services has been hired to manage a non-toxic, organic program to control vegetation in the Town of Oxford, Connecticut. The decision to work with Northeast Horticultural Services was the outcome of a meeting set up with Wayne Watt, Director of Public Works by Oxford resident Jennifer Giustra-Kozek, LPC, health advocate, author and public speaker.

For years, the Town has worked with an outside firm to control vegetation in public areas without understanding the health effects of the chemicals in use. Concerned Oxford residents Jennifer Giustra Kozek and Stacey Marcell saw a need to address this issue and decided to take action. The purpose of the meeting was to question current practices and educate the town about safer options available to control weeds and unwanted vegetation in the town where toxic herbicides are now used. They enlisted the help of Zen Honeycutt of Moms Across America, an organization whose mission is to raise awareness about GMOs and toxic exposure and Jeff Cordulack, Executive Director of CT NOFA (Northeast Organic Farming Association), an organization that develops organic land standards and educates consumers on organic solutions. Stacey Marcell, CT licensed arborist and owner of Northeast Horticultural Services, is not only an Oxford mom, but also a NOFA accredited organic land care provider. She attended the meeting as a resident specialist in organic lawn and land care to offer recommendations on how the Town could address this ongoing concern in an organic and ecologically friendly way.

The two chemicals that were being used in the vegetation control plan were Glyphosate and Triclopyr. Glyphosate, the active ingredient in popular weed killers, is a suspected carcinogen that is applied to the leaves of plants to kill both broadleaf plants and grasses. It is used to manage vegetation in ball fields, golf courses, agriculture and other public areas. Triclopyr, an even more toxic chemical, sterilizes soil and contaminates waterways causing death to aquatic life. Health concerns have been raised about these chemical for several years, and many environment groups throughout the State have been working towards restricting the use of these substances.

“Of course, we all want to live in a healthy community, but sometimes as individuals, we don’t see how we can infuse change. Our actions show how people can make a difference. Just by educating herself and bringing the right people together, we see how Jennifer had a concern and did something about it. As a resident of Oxford, I want to ensure my kids are playing in toxin-free areas. The organic lawn and land care programs we offer at Northeast Horticultural Services, advocate safe, healthy property management using organic and least toxic practices and products that nurture and protect the health of families, pets, wildlife and the environment from unnecessary exposure to toxic pesticides. As a member of NOFA, we practice the standards that make a difference for our environment. I hope other towns see what Oxford is doing and follow suit,” says Marcell.

Image via Northeast Horticultural Services