NEWS RELEASE

The Sonoma County Regional Parks Department presents a daylong seminar for pesticide applicators. Geared toward landscaping, park, golf course and vineyard professionals, the seminar takes place Tuesday, April 29 from 8am to 4pm. It will be held at the Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building, located at 1351 Maple Avenue in Santa Rosa.

Speakers & Topics include:

Daniel Cantieri - California Highway Patrol
Update on Laws & Regulations

Mike Lees, Field Scientist
New Development of Weed Control in Turf

Scott Harris, NW Technical Representative - Bell Laboratories
Mole, Gopher, Vole & Squirrel Control

Ron Keith - Sonoma-Marin Vector Control
Pest Control Jeopardy

Robin Breckenridge, Assoc. Ag Biologist - CA Dept of Food & Agriculture
New Noxious Weeds

Tom Lanini - U.C. Davis Weed Science Program
Effective Use of Herbicides, Organic & Conventional

Pari Pachamuthu - Western Exterminator Company
Yellow jacket, Hornet & Wasp Control

Rhonda Smith, Viticulture Farm Advisor - U.C. Cooperative Extension
Vineyard Diseases & Pests

Manuel Gonzales - LESCO
New Spreader & Spray Technologies

Anne Lownings, Sonoma Co Master Gardener - U.C. Berkeley Coop. Ext.
Good Bugs / Bad Bugs

Dr Bob Raabe - U.C. Berkeley
Tree & Shrub Diseases

Polo Moreno - CA Department of Pesticide Regulation
Pesticide Use in the Vicinity of Sensitive Species

The seminar will supply current pesticide application information, promoting safety for the applicator and the public. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and sensible use of chemical control will also be promoted. This will be a forum to network and gather information. Seven (7) CEU units have been approved for all Pest Control Advisors and Qualified Applicators. In addition, .65 education points have been approved for GCSAA members and credits have been requested for WCISA members.

Registration fee of $75 ($90 after April 15th) includes handouts, continental breakfast and catered hot lunch. For further information, visit www.sonoma-county.org/parks and click on "what's new," or call (707) 565-2041 weekdays.