{"id":40697,"date":"2026-01-09T00:01:41","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T05:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/?p=40697"},"modified":"2026-01-09T09:23:56","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T14:23:56","slug":"two-dubuque-parks-transitioning-to-organic-land-management-in-iowa-joining-communities-nationwide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beyondpesticides.org\/dailynewsblog\/2026\/01\/two-dubuque-parks-transitioning-to-organic-land-management-in-iowa-joining-communities-nationwide\/","title":{"rendered":"Two Dubuque Parks Transitioning to Organic Land Management in Iowa; Joining Communities Nationwide"},"content":{"rendered":"

(Beyond Pesticides<\/em>, January 9, 2026) Beyond Pesticides is partnering with the City of Dubuque Parks and Recreation Department to adopt organic land management practices at two city parks, Jackson Park and Washington Park, with funding for technical support from Natural Grocers. The initiative aims to enhance soil health, reduce water usage, and create safer public spaces, while also addressing climate change and biodiversity issues.<\/span>\u00a0Click here to read a joint press release<\/a>.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond Pesticides, through the\u00a0<\/span>Parks for a Sustainable Future<\/span><\/a>\u00a0nationwide program, collaborates with communities across the country to transition parks, playing fields, and public spaces to organic land management by providing in-depth training to assist community land managers in transitioning two public demonstration sites and the knowledge necessary to eventually transition all public areas in a locality to these safer practices.\u00a0<\/span>These demonstration sites serve as models for how sustainable land management is possible without synthetic, petrochemical pesticides and fertilizers,\u00a0showcasing\u00a0the benefits of organic practices while addressing potential challenges in a manageable and cost-effective way.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are excited to be working with the City of Dubuque on organic land management practices that protect community health and the environment, including bees, butterflies, and birds, and support efforts to mitigate climate change and biodiversity decline,\u201d said Jay Feldman, executive director of Beyond Pesticides. \u201cOrganic practices eliminate fossil fuel petroleum-based products and sequester atmospheric carbon in the soil, combating the climate crisis.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"The\u00a0<\/span>City of Dubuque Parks and Recreation Department <\/span>maintains\u00a0over\u00a02,300\u00a0acres of parks and open space, including\u00a0more than 50 parks\u00a0and\u00a0areas of prairie\u00a0and oak savannah restoration, pollinator habitat,\u00a0and\u00a0wetlands.\u00a0<\/span>The\u00a0City\u00a0has been reducing its use of synthetic pesticides in\u00a0city parks since 2016 when the\u00a0City\u00a0adopted an<\/span>\u202fIntegrated Pest Management (IPM)\u00a0program.\u00a0The\u00a0City\u00a0currently\u00a0has 15 pesticide-free parks\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>does not apply pesticides to most\u00a0grass\u00a0turf areas in the city<\/span>.\u00a0(\u201cTurf\u201d is\u00a0considered all\u00a0regularly mowed\u00a0grass\u00a0areas of\u00a0parks.)\u00a0T<\/span>he Parks for a Sustainable Future initiative introduces holistic organic land care that emphasizes building resilient soils and healthy park ecosystems throughout the city\u2019s two demonstration parks while\u00a0eliminating\u00a0synthetic pesticides and fertilizers.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe look forward to working with Beyond Pesticides in these two\u00a0iconic Dubuque<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>parks,\u201d said\u00a0City of Dubuque Parks Division Manager\u00a0Steve\u00a0Fehsal. \u201cThis is a great opportunity for our staff to increase their understanding of how healthy soil and organic management can give us great parks without petrochemical fertilizers and pesticides.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2022, the\u00a0City of Dubuque began exploring a partnership with Beyond Pesticides through the Good Neighbor Iowa Program, which\u00a0works with Beyond Pesticides in statewide outreach and education, helping communities and families understand the health and environmental benefits of organic land care and the public health risks from synthetic pesticides.\u00a0\u00a0The parks\u00a0and recreation\u00a0department, alon<\/span>gside<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Sustainable Dubuque<\/span><\/a>, is building on the City\u2019s long legacy of environmental leadership. Now, with the adoption of organic land management practices in\u00a0two\u00a0city\u00a0parks, Dubuque and Beyond Pesticides are furthering this vision\u2014fostering greener, healthier, and more sustainable urban spaces for future generations.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In partnership with Osborne Organics, Beyond Pesticides aims through the program\u00a0to further shift from petrochemical weed killers and other potential pesticide use to organic practices that rely on methods and products that support soil biology and microbial life in the soil. This approach, used in organic agriculture, naturally produces nutrients for plants, resulting in more resiliency, a reduction in water use, lower costs, and\u00a0safer\u00a0spaces\u00a0for children, pets, pollinators, and the entire community\u2014all while supporting long-term savings and environmental health.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Sign up to be a Parks Advocate today<\/a> to let us know you\u2019re willing to speak with local leaders about the importance of this program!<\/p>\n

Why Go Organic?<\/strong><\/p>\n

The benefits of transitioning to organic land management extend far beyond individual health! Beyond Pesticides believes in building organic communities:<\/p>\n