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CURE was founded in 2002 by a group of Watertown citizens who are concerned about local pesticide use and its effects on our community’s health. We are committed to educating the public about the dangers of pesticide use and the benefits of using organic alternatives.

Declare your lawn safe for children and animals -- purchase a No Pesticides yard sign for $2.00!

Our portable, educational Pesticide Awareness display is available to exhibit in your school, church, or community center. Please phone or email us for information on scheduling the display.

This educational display contains many useful and interesting handouts about the dangers of pesticides and synthetic fertilizers, and about ways to use more effective and safe alternatives. It has been hosted in local schools, churches, Tufts Health Plan, Belmont Environmental Fair, Watertown Faire on the Square, Ecological Landscaping Association's Conference, Northeast Organic Farm Association's Winter Conference, and annually at the Watertown Family Network's Informational Fair.

• Studying results of a survey to gauge citizens' pesticide use and possible related health issues.
• Encouraging local merchants to offer organic produce, and local businesses and holders of real estate to avoid the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.

Recent Projects:

• Worked with Watertown Board of Health to create a pesticide awareness pamphlet. Funding for printing a limited number of copies has come from New England Grassroots Environment Fund.
• Hosted, over the last four years, public lectures on organic land care by:
  • Lindsay Strode, owner of Cape Organics
  • Don Bishop, owner of Gardens Are... and an organizer and teacher involved with NOFA's Organic Land Care course
  • Sarah Little, responsible for the Massachusetts Pesticide Awareness Campaign
  • Seth Berman, local landscaper committed to earth-friendly methods
  • Henrietta Light, Watertown garden designer and horticulturalist.
• With a grant from the New England Grassroots Environmental Fund, developed a portable education display to promote pesticide awareness.

Related Links

Wellesley Pesticide Awareness Campaign

Green Decade Coalition of Newton, MA

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

Be sure to visit the WCES Links Page as well.

Action Item

Please check back regularly for new PURE Task Force action items. Meanwhile, please check out the WCES monthly article in the June 24, 2005 issue of the Watertown Tab by PURE member Deb Smith on personal care product safety. (Get the unedited version of Deb's article here.)