Faculty and Staff:
Nancy Breisch, Amy E. Brown, Galen P. Dively, Betty Marose, Judd
Nelson, Terry Patton, Michael Raupp, Paula Shrewsbury, Barbara Thorne
Description of Focus Area:
The University of Maryland College Park is located in a sensitive area with
regard to potential pesticide impacts. Maryland has a diverse agricultural
system that impinges on the Chesapeake Bay and increasingly borders on urban
areas. Both agricultural and urban pesticide application have the potential
for contamination of the environment if proper pesticide application practices
are not followed. Assessment of pesticide use patterns and trends, and the
identification of potential health and environmental impacts as well as methods
to mitigate adverse effects are the first steps in understanding the problems
of pesticide use that accompany the benefits of these products. Decreasing
pesticide exposure of humans and the environment can be accomplished through
improving applicator education and formulation of sound pesticide policies.
New and emerging problems such as development of pesticide resistance and
new human and environmental safety concerns also shape the direction of
Entomology
research, extension, and instructional programs.
The Department of Entomology is one of the principal sources of training,
educational materials, and programs for private and commercial pesticide
applicators in the region. Our pesticide recertification programs enable
several hundred commercial applicators to maintain their certifications each
year. Our programs are rated among the best regionally and nationally for
their quality and content. Members of this focus area are regularly invited
to participate in educational programs at local, regional, national, and
international meetings.
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