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Green field with lichen-covered rocks and yellow wildflowers and orange California Poppies, green hills in the distance

Integrated Pest Management Program

The Integrated Pest Management Program (IPM) Program is a science-based decision-making system used to design and control pest populations in order to limit their impacts as well as risks to people and the environment.

BACKGROUND

Santa Clara Valley and its surrounding hillsides are threatened by pest species that negatively impact our natural lands. Many of these pests are exotic species that are not native to this region and were introduced by people with unintended consequences. Most of these exotic plants and animals affect native species by changing the natural ecosystem or creating fire hazards. Controlling these pest species is one of the ways in which the Authority stewards its lands.
The Authority will use the IPM framework to guide how we manage pests, so we can limit the risks and impacts to our preserve visitors, staff, and the lands and facilities we manage. To accomplish this, the Authority developed a draft IPM policy and guidance manual to guide and inform pest management strategies that are efficient, cost-effective, protect human health and safety, and protect natural resources.

NEXT STEPS

The Authority is completing environmental review of the IPM Program and is seeking feedback from the public and partners on the draft IPM policy and guidelines.

The Authority held a public scoping meeting on October 29, 2019 on the IPM Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (PEIR). Meeting and other program materials are found below. A Draft PEIR is expected for release in Summer 2020.

The final environmental review document, Policy, and Guidance Manual will follow the approval of the Draft PEIR, with expected completion in Fall 2020.

Draft IPM Guidance Manual

Notice of Preparation

IPM Public Scoping Meeting Presentation

Project Updates

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Seven volunteers with jackets and hoes clearing weeds on a green hillside

The six components of an ipm program Are:

  1. Correctly identifying the species
  2. Monitoring and assessing where the pests are located and how abundant they are
  3. Setting thresholds for targeted control
  4. Assessing site conditions to identify appropriate control treatments
  5. Using the least harmful suite of control methods
  6. Preventing pest problems by detecting new occurences early and treating them quickly