Pesticide Watch Education Fund was a left-of-center public policy group affiliated with the Pesticide Watch advocacy organization. The Education affiliate communicates the group’s opinions on the risks associated with modern agricultural technology.

Pesticide Watch Education Fund opposed the spraying of pesticides to kill mosquitoes carrying the West Nile Virus and the Brown Apple Moth. The group also attempted to create mass media to dissuade pesticide use. ^{1 2 3}

Background

Pesticide Watch Education Fund, which was formed the same year as Pesticide Watch, was responsible for the communication of the organization to others. Prior to 2006 operations were limited to the Sacramento area, but after the hiring of Paul Schramski Towers, larger attempts at combatting pesticides were made. In 2013 Pesticide Watch Education Fund’s assets were negative by $11,000. The following year, in 2014, the Education Fund shut down. ⁴

Activism

Media Publications

Pesticide Watch Education Fund has produced publications and other media content that portray commonly used chemicals as dangerous.

In July 2008, in conjunction with YouTube content creator Sanford Lewis, the group published “The Truth About Cats, Dogs and Lawn Chemicals.” The 17-minute documentary-style video began by advising viewers to visit a website operated by the Pesticide Action Network, another advocacy group opposed to the use of pesticides. The video concluded by promoting communities that have prohibited commonly used lawn chemicals. ^{5 6}

Brown Apple Moth Controversy

In 2008 Pesticide Watch Education Fund conducted a public relations campaign in California’s Bay Area alleging that the use of arial pesticide sprays to fight against the brown apple moth was harmful to human health. The U.S. Department of Agriculture affirmed the safety of the pesticide spraying for humans and the risks of not eradicating the moth. The pest was responsible for millions of dollars of crop damage on over 200 types of crops. ^{7 8}

Pesticide Watch Education Fund published press releases and pamphlets and co-signed a petition to the Superior Court of California calling for a ban on the pesticide’s use. The petition was denied. ^{910 11}

West Nile Virus Controversy

In 2005 Pesticide Watch Education Fund fought against pesticide use against mosquitos carrying the West Nile Virus, a potentially deadly bloodborne pathogen. Working with a mathematics professor, Pesticide Watch Education Fund conducted their own research on the dangers of the virus compared to the dangers of pesticide usage. The study acknowledged the dangers of the West Nile Virus, but called the spraying of pesticides “a grand experiment” due to a lack of knowledge of potential impacts the pesticides presented. The study finally concluded the pesticides should not be used to fight West Nile Virus, and instead alternative options should be investigated. ^{12 13}

1. Pesticide Watch Education Fund “The Truth About Cats, Dogs & Lawn Chemicals” Pesticidewatch.org [2008] Accessed 20 November 2021. https://pesticidewatch.org/sites/default/files/pets_guide_draft_final.pdf
2. SFGate “Experts Question Plan to Spray to Fight Moths” SFGate.com [2008] Accessed 15 November 2021. https://www.sfgate.com/green/article/Experts-question-plan-to-spray-to-fight-moths-3292379.php
3. Pesticide Watch Education Fund “New Report Raises Significant Scientific Questions About Evidence Used to Support Aerial Spraying” Pesticidewatch.org [2008] Accessed 14 November 2021. https://pesticidewatch.org/sites/default/files/wnvpressrelease7-10.pdf
4. ProPublica: Pesticide Watch Education Fund “Tax Filings by Year” ProPublica.org [2001-2015] Accessed 14 November 2021. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954322048
5. Pesticide Watch Education Fund “The Truth About Cats, Dogs & Lawn Chemicals” Pesticidewatch.org [2008] Accessed 20 November 2021. https://pesticidewatch.org/sites/default/files/pets_guide_draft_final.pdf
6. YouTube “The Truth About Cats, Dogs & Lawn Chemicals” Sanford Lewis [2008] Accessed 20 November 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKtZrNpiNIc
7. SF Gate. Ibid. https://www.sfgate.com/green/article/Experts-question-plan-to-spray-to-fight-moths-3292379.php
8. SF Gate. Ibid. https://www.sfgate.com/green/article/Experts-question-plan-to-spray-to-fight-moths-3292379.php
9. Superior Court of California, County of Sacramento “Our Children’s Earth Foundation; et al., v. California Department of Food and Agriculture, et al.,” Earthjustice.org [2012] Accessed 18 November 2021.  OCE_Ruling-Apple-Moth.pdf (earthjustice.org)
10. Pesticide Action Network North America “Argument for Reclassification of the Light Brown Apple Moth” Panna.org [2009] Accessed 20 November 2021.https://www.panna.org/sites/default/files/imported/files/PANNA_LBAM_Reclassif_Ltr_4Feb09.pdf
11. Marin Independent Journal “Pesticide use is a local issue” Marinij.com [2008] Accessed 18 November 2021 Pesticide use is a local issue – Marin Independent Journal (marinij.com)
12. Pesticide Watch Education Fund “New Report Raises Significant Scientific Questions About Evidence Used to Support Aerial Spraying” Pesticidewatch.org [2008] Accessed 20 November 2021. https://pesticidewatch.org/sites/default/files/wnvpressrelease7-10.pdf
13. Pesticide Watch Education Fund “An Alternate Perspective on the Use of Aerial ULV Spray to Attempt to Control Transmission of West Nile Virus in Sacramento County, 2005.” Stopwestnilepsprayingnow.org [2008] Accessed 20 November 2021.  http://www.stopwestnilesprayingnow.org/Alt_Persp_ULVspray.pdf