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Funded Project |
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Funding Program:
Regional IPM Competitive Grants - Northeastern |
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Project Title:
A Diagnostic Web Site for Plants, Pests, and Landscapes |
Project Directors (PDs):
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Lead State: MD Lead Organization: University of Maryland |
| Extension Funding: $35,250 |
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Start Date: Sep-01-1998 End Date: Aug-31-2000 |
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Site/Commodity: ornamentals |
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Area of Emphasis: education, website |
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Summary:
The problem we address in this study is not unique to the Northeast Region but one common throughout the United States. It is the problem of providing high quality information on pest identification and non-chemical control options to a vast urban audience accustomed to solving pest problems through the application of pesticides. Until recently, a highly suitable method of transferring this type of high quality information was lacking. However, with the advent of electronic information delivery made available to the urban population through the world wide web, we now have the capability to reach a significant portion of our urban clientele. It is through this medium that we intend to deliver IPM information that will enable homeowners to identify causal agents of plant and household problems and select management tactics other than pesticides to solve these problems. Through the widespread adoption of alternative practices we will significantly enhance and protect environmental quality and reduce the risk of health and other problems associated with the use of pesticides in densely populated urban dwellings.
The Home and Garden Information Center is committed to assisting Maryland residents in solving their pest, plant and landscape problems. The Center's approach to this mission has been the development of self-help diagnostic tools that are included in audiotapes, fact sheets and a Master Gardener handbook. The Center's web site currently includes timely information, updated horticultural and pest control tips and lists of available audio tapes and fact sheets. Construction of a diagnostic web site was begun in 1996. The addition of diagnostic web pages combining text and color photos would greatly enhance the public's ability to accurately diagnose plant and pest problems. This web site would also help users adopt IPM control strategies or least toxic solutions, resulting in reduced pesticide use. The diagnostic pages would be unique and useful to homeowners, commercial horticulture industries, students, master Gardeners and Extension personnel regionally and nationally. Objectives: The overarching objective of this ongoing project is to create a web site that will enable users to accurately diagnose plant problems and identify indoor and structural pests, beneficial insects and wildlife damage. This will be accomplished using self-help, problem-solving keys with color photos and descriptions of biotic and abiotic causes, sufficiently broad to be useful nation-wide. It is anticipated that each year thousands of individuals will use the site to accurately identify a pest and/or determine the cause of a plant problem. This can be measured through on-line surveys. Specific Objectives 1. Provide the general public with an understanding of IPM 2. Improve identification, diagnostic, and management skills of end users 3. Help users select non-chemical, biorational, and biological tactics for pest management Outcomes and Impacts Summary from 2001 IPM Center report Most urban dwellers and homeowners are accustomed to solving pest problems using pesticides. Lacking high quality information, these folks often run the risk of overusing chemicals, using them ineffectively, or applying them around foods, children, and pets. Maryland's Home and Garden Information Center, aided by researchers from several northeastern states, has developed a website (agnr.umd.edu/users/hgic/diagn) that helps the public accurately diagnose plant problems and identify indoor pests, beneficial insects, and wildlife damage. The award-winning site also serves as an educational resource for students, master gardeners, industry, faculty, and extension professionals. The service teaches people about the latest IPM strategies and least toxic means of dealing with pests. In a single year, the website had 33,000 user sessions. On average, visitors spent 20 minutes during a session, indicating that they value the site and learn from its content. The site's users give it high marks for usefulness and overall quality, and many indicated that they expect to return in the future. An extensive promotional campaign, a CD version of the site, and a field guide for use by homeowners and professionals will further broaden the impact of these services. |
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