
Troy Moon is the Sustainability Coordinator for the City of Portland, Maine. His office organizes efforts to reduce carbon emissions, manage resources, and prepare for the impacts of climate change.
In 2018 the Portland City Council passed a landcare ordinance to ban toxic pesticide use on both publicly maintained lands (gardens, athletic fields, parks, playgrounds and public lawns) and privately owned land. Residents pushed for this change in order to protect the public health, since pesticides are linked to many serious health issues (asthma, hormone disruption, lymphoma, Parkinson's disease, leukemia, brain cancer, and issues related to skin, eyes and the nervous system). Removing pesticides from the environment also protects biodiversity and the Blue Economy of Casco Bay.
On March 19, 2023 an additional ban of chemical fertilizers is also going into place, in Maine's largest city. Prior to fertilizing lawns, homeowners will need to test the soil. Free soil test kits are available through Cumberland County's Extension Office.
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