No Glyphosate or Other Toxins on Public Lands
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End city use of glyphosate and other toxins in Ashland's Public Spaces
End city use of glyphosate and other toxins in Ashland's Public Spaces
Ashland prides itself on environmental leadership, yet our city continues spraying glyphosate—a probable carcinogen—in parks, medians, and public rights-of-way. When citizens raised concerns after Parks and Recreation Department sprayed a main street meridian, the department made clear they have no intention of stopping. It's time for our actions to match our values.
Join us in demanding a moratorium on weed control by toxic chemicals and a transition to safe alternatives.
Why This Matters
Why This Matters
Our Health and Environment Deserve Better
Our Health and Environment Deserve Better
Health Risks: The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer classifies glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic to humans." Studies link it to non-Hodgkin lymphoma, liver disease, and endocrine disruption. Children playing in treated areas face the highest exposure risks.
Environmental Impact: Glyphosate persists in soil, contaminates waterways through runoff, and decimates beneficial insects including native pollinators already struggling with habitat loss. It disrupts soil microbiomes essential for healthy plant growth.
Our Values: Ashland markets itself as progressive and environmentally conscious. Yet when citizens protested recent pesticide spraying on the median strip of a major thoroughfare, Parks leadership dismissed concerns and vowed to continue the practice. This disconnect between our stated values and actual practices must end.
Our families, pets, wildlife, and water sources deserve protection from unnecessary chemical exposure.
Current City Practices
Current City Practices
How Ashland Uses Glyphosate Today
How Ashland Uses Glyphosate Today
Multiple city departments regularly apply glyphosate-based herbicides across Ashland:
Parks & Recreation: Applies glyphosate in city parks, sports fields, street medians, and landscaped areas. Recent spraying on Ashland Street sparked public outcry.
Public Works: Uses glyphosate for rights-of-way maintenance, sidewalk cracks, and street edges throughout residential neighborhoods.
Frequency: Applications occur multiple times annually, spring through fall, sometimes without advance public notice to nearby residents.
Volume: The city has not disclosed total annual volume of applied glyphosate and other toxins.
Official Response: When citizens expressed outrage about the street median spraying and health concerns, the Parks Director stated the department has no plans to discontinue glyphosate use. This dismissal of legitimate public health concerns demonstrates why policy change, not voluntary departmental discretion, is necessary.
Ashland residents deserve transparency about chemical applications near their homes, schools, gathering places, and in the watershed.
Safer Alternatives
Safer Alternatives
Proven Methods That Protect Health and Environment
Proven Methods That Protect Health and Environment
Cities nationwide have successfully transitioned away from glyphosate. Ashland can too.
Click HERE to read about ways Ashland residents and city government can reduce the incidence of health risks associated with toxic sprays.
What We're Asking For
What We're Asking For
Our Demands of City Council
Our Demands of City Council
Immediate Moratorium: Suspend all glyphosate use on city property effective immediately while alternatives are evaluated and implemented. READ THE PETITION.
Municipal Code Amendment: Update Ashland Municipal Code to prohibit glyphosate and neonicotinoid pesticides on city-owned and city-managed property, with limited exceptions only for documented invasive species emergencies requiring council approval.
Transition Plan: Direct city departments to re-evaluate its Integrated Pest Management plan within 90 days, including:
Creation of a diverse public/private partnership with representatives of landscape design, beekeeeping, ecology, agricultural and community garden volunteers.
Establish Pesticide/Herbicide Free Parks using alternative landscaping strategies.
Budget Allocation:
Evaluate elimination of underutilized city parks to match current staffing levels, thereby allowing commonly used parks to be maintained in a safe, ecologically respectful manner.
Dedicate funding for transition costs including equipment, training, and additional labor hours during the adjustment period.
Transparency Requirements: Mandate advance public notice (72 hours minimum) before any pesticide applications, with posted signage at treatment locations, and notice to residents within 100 ft of planned spraying.
Timeline: Complete and immediate moratorium on use of glyphosate-based herbicides and other harmful toxins.
This is achievable. Other Oregon cities have done it. Ashland can lead.
Take Action
Take Action
Make Your Voice Heard
Make Your Voice Heard
Sign the Petition: Click HERE
Attend City Council: Next meetings: [dates] Public comment signup begins 30 minutes before meetings Ashland Civic Center, 1175 E Main St
Contact Your Council Members: Let them know you support the glyphosate moratorium
Spread the Word: Talk to neighbors, share on social media, write letters to local papers
Get Involved
Get Involved
Join the Movement
Join the Movement
Volunteer Opportunities:
Speaking at city council meetings (we'll help you prepare)
Distributing informational flyers in your neighborhood
Social media outreach and engagement
Researching best practices from other cities
Attending planning meetings
Stay Informed: Subscribe to updates: [Email signup form]
Receive notifications about:
Petition milestone updates
City council meeting dates
Media coverage
Volunteer opportunities
Community events
Questions or Ideas? [Contact form] We welcome your input, stories, and suggestions
Join Our Team: This is a grassroots effort powered by concerned Ashland residents. Whether you have five minutes or five hours to contribute, we need you.
Together, we can create the healthy, truly sustainable Ashland we deserve.
News & Updates
News & Updates
Campaign Progress
Campaign Progress
Petition Launch: A petition has launched calling for a glyphosate moratorium in Ashland.
Signature Milestone: Petitioners are 67% toward their goal of 500! Thank you to everyone who has signed and shared.
Media Coverage:
https://theashlandchronicle.com/letter-to-the-editor-a-toxic-step-backwards/
https://theashlandchronicle.com/letter-to-the-editor-ashlands-parks-director-is-tone-deaf/
City Response https://ashlandoregon.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=401&ARC=1232
Current Signature Count: 338
Resources & Documents
Resources & Documents
Local Media Coverage:
Scientific Evidence:
City of Ashland Documents:
Parks Department weed management policies (TBD)
Public records request responses (TBD)
City budget allocations for herbicides (TBD)
Success Stories:
FAQ
FAQ
Common Questions Answered
Common Questions Answered
Q: Won't alternatives cost much more? A: Initial transition costs exist, but long-term expenses are comparable. Portland and Eugene report sustainable budgets after transitioning. We're also eliminating ongoing chemical purchases and reducing potential lawsuit liability. Plus, we create local jobs rather than buying chemicals from corporations.
Q: How long will transition take? A: We propose 12 months for complete transition, with immediate moratorium while alternatives are implemented. Other cities accomplished this successfully within similar timeframes.
Q: Are there other cities that have a ban on glyphosate-based products? A: Below are a few cities that have a ban or moratorium.
Oregon: Eugene, Talent, and Portland
California: Sonoma County & City of Sonoma, Sebastopol, Davis, Burbank Unified School District, East Bay Regional Park District, Los Angeles County, Watsonville, Encinitas, Santa Rosa
Q: What about private property? A: This petition addresses only city-owned and city-managed property. Private property owners make their own choices, though we encourage everyone to consider safer alternatives.
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