PROVIDENCE - The Department of Environmental Management has awarded $138,408 in integrated pest management grants for 10 research, education, and demonstration projects throughout the state.

Integrated pest management methods reduce or eliminate reliance on chemical pesticides by controlling pest damage through a variety of techniques, including use of natural predators and parasites, genetically resistant hosts, and environmental modifications. Chemical pesticides are used only when necessary.

The state's 11-member Pesticide Relief Advisory Board reviewed the grant proposals and recommended proposals for funding to DEM Director Jan H. Reitsma. Of the 10 projects being awarded grants, seven proposals, totaling $95,015, will be funded from the state's pesticide relief fund. That fund is based on a portion of the state's pesticide registration fees. Two proposals, totaling $26,000, will be funded by DEM's Narragansett Bay Estuaries program. An additional proposal, totaling $17,393, will be jointly funded by both the pesticide relief fund and the estuaries program.

This year's grants include funding for education and training in integrated pest management for urban residents who utilize community gardens; field scouts, diagnostic equipment and supplies for Christmas tree, greenhouse, small fruit and vegetable producers; identification of potential sources of pesticide contamination in the Scituate Reservoir; research on the lone star tick and deer ticks; and equipment for URI's mosquito testing program.

The following integrated pest management grants will be funded by the pesticide relief fund:

• The Southside Community Land Trust, in Providence, will receive $20,000 to provide information and training in the use of integrated pest management to urban residents who grow a large portion of their family's food in community gardens. The information will be provided in Cambodian, Laotian, Hmong, and Spanish.
• Sean P. Healy, an entomologist from Charlestown, will receive $7,968 to determine levels of infestation by Varroa mites in honeybee colonies. Threshhold levels for the mite will then be determined and either chemical or alternative pest control measures will be suggested. Additionally, Rhode Island beekeepers will be provided with educational materials outlining an integrated Varroa management plan.
• The Providence Water Supply Board will receive $18,450 to help maintain water quality and safety in the Scituate Reservoir by identifying potential sources of pesticide contamination, evaluating impacts to local water sources, and controlling pesticide leaching to surface water. This will be accomplished by sampling and developing site specific integrated pest management programs and outreach to selected landowners.
• The University of Rhode Island's Cooperative Extension office will receive $11,165 to provide additional scouting and pest management information to Christmas tree, greenhouse, and small fruit and vegetable producers. The grant will provide funding for field scouts, diagnostic equipment and supplies needed for outreach programs to over 300 growers.
• The University of Rhode Island's Department of Plant Sciences will receive $6,632 to provide support to the turfgrass breeding program at URI, which is involved with the development of turfgrass that is resistant to insects and diseases.
• URI's Department of Plant Sciences will receive $13,200 to provide support for integrated pest management research in monitoring populations of three pests of fine turfgrasses: black cutworms, annual bluegrass weevils, and plant parasitic nematodes. The research will integrate monitoring and least toxic controls into the management of fine turfgrass greens.
• URI's Department of Plant Sciences also will receive $17,600 to provide continued support for the pesticide applicator training program, which is a requirement of state licensing and/or certification for all commercial pesticide applicators, and for all producers of agricultural commodities who apply restricted use pesticides.

DEM's Narragansett Bay Estuaries program will fund the following projects:

• URI's Center for Vector-Borne Disease will receive $15,983 for additional equipment that will be used in its mosquito testing program.
• URI's Department of Plant Sciences will receive $10,017 for reseach in the control of deer ticks, carriers of Lyme disease. The research involves applying a fungus to white-tailed deer using remote control applicators. The fungus is harmful to the ticks, but not to deer, allowing tick control without the use of chemical pesticides.

A joint grant, consisting of $7,393 from the pesticide relief fund and $10,000 from the Narragansett Bay Estuaries program, will be provided to URI's Department of Plant Sciences for research in the control of the disease-carrying lone star tick. This research also involves applying a fungus to white-tailed deer using remote control applicators.