Outreach Template—Landscape Best Management Practices, Reducing the Use of Pesticides and Fertilizers Developed by the Regional Stormwater Management Program’s Public Education Task Force March 2016 Background: Developed by the Regional Stormwater Management Program’s Public Education Task Force, this document is intended for municipal stormwater educators in the North Texas region. Educators can use this document as a resource when creating their own e-newsletter articles, webpage copy, social media posts, and so on. It includes information to help these educators promote, publicize, and facilitate the proper use, application, and disposal of pesticides and fertilizers by the public, but it goes beyond this, providing information on landscape best management practices that can help reduce the amount of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers applied in the first place (such as integrated pest management, using native plants, using compost, etc.). The document is organized by general topic, with a matrix that includes the relevant time of year for publication, sources (with additional sources linked in the copy), long version samples (intended for municipal blogs, e-newsletters, webpage copy, etc.), and suggestions for related Facebook posts and images. As decided on by the Public Education Task Force, the tone of the copy is conversational. It is expected that educators will edit the copy to suit their needs, city voices, and so on. Areas that definitely need customization are highlighted in yellow. Linked sources should also be checked prior to publication. This document was first extensively reviewed by several members from the Cities of Frisco and Plano as well as staff from Texas A&M AgriLife, then reviewed by the Public Education Task Force as a whole. Important note regarding the images: If a photo in the graphic is from Fotolia, it includes a small photo credit. Educators may use the graphic with the Fotolia image as a whole, but not the photo by itself (i.e., cropping the graphic so it only includes the photo). If NCTCOG or other member government staff have provided the photo in the graphic, the photo by itself is also supplied. (Those are free to use alone.) Educators are not required to use any of these graphics or images—they are just available for use.
Improving your soil – FB sample The trick to a great garden isn’t fertilizer, it’s healthy soil. Do you know if you have good garden soil? If not, consider getting it tested by Texas A&M. [Link to (] The trick to a great garden isn’t fertilizer, it’s healthy soil. Know that your soil isn’t up to snuff? Amend it with compost. [Link to Healthy plants start with healthy soil. Find out what’s in yours. [Link to (http://soiltesting.tamu.edu/] Memes/ Graphics/ Images maybe soil map (NCTCOG staff photo) Time General/Year-round Topic Protecting soils (rather than using synthetic fertilizers, etc.) Source Frisco WaterWise newsletter ; Texas A&M AgriLife – Mulch Long version sample (adapted from Frisco newsletter) Don’t Treat Your Soil Like Dirt Soil health is vital to a healthy landscape. Our soils perform many important ecosystem functions. They absorb water from rain events, sustain beneficial microbes vital to plant health, and provide nutrients so that plants can thrive.