Pest Defense Interview with Justin Hegarty
Justin Hegarty is an environmental engineer and the executive director of the Milwaukee area nonprofit Reflo. Pest Defense asked Hegarty questions about Reflo’s work in schoolyard maintenance and the use of IPM.
You are invited to join Midwest Grows Green and Reflo’s Schoolyard Maintenance Virtual Workshop, a free event on Thursday, September 26th at 4:00 pm CDT: bit.ly/SchoolyardMaintenance2024.
Can you provide an overview of the Milwaukee Schoolyard Redevelopment Projects and how these projects align with Reflo’s mission?
Annually, Reflo works with partners including Milwaukee Public Schools, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District, the City of Milwaukee, the Fund for Lake Michigan, University of Wisconsin Milwaukee’s School of Architecture and Urban Planning (SARUP) and others to support five Milwaukee-area schools in an intensive, collaborative process to design and then redevelop greener, healthier schoolyards. Each project is tailored to the specific needs and enthusiasm of the school’s community but often involves replacing a sea of asphalt with green infrastructure including bioswales, rain gardens, and trees as well as outdoor classrooms, improved recreational facilities and arts opportunities. The placemaking designs go beyond removing pavement to maximize benefits for communities, the environment and local economy.
How has the integrated pest management approach helped with maintenance for the redeveloped schoolyards?
IPM’s support allowed us to strategically approach maintenance challenges using a science-based assessment that was appropriately responsive to our sensitive schoolyard redevelopment projects. The results have been a night and day difference in the turf quality, especially given challenging circumstances, and we didn’t have to compromise on the health of our youth or environment. Through the targeted interventions with IPM, we’ve seen a reduction in weed growth which has translated to an increased positive perception of the overall project and community investment.
If you would like to learn more, register to attend our Schoolyard Maintenance Virtual Workshop here.