Parks & Integrated Pest Management

  • Parks staff follows Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a science-based decision-making process that guides park managers when investigating a pest situation.
  • The IPM approach determines the most appropriate and cost-effective management solution for the specific pest situation.
  • IPM also establishes pest tolerance levels and monitoring protocols.
  • Parks staff consult with technical experts such as New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service to identify the pest (weed), reasons it exists, how it can best be managed.
  • The method allows staff to develop an effective, site-specific and low-risk strategy to manage the pest. This includes altering conditions which attracted pests to the site in the first place.
  • IPM often involves improving cultural practices (aeration, fertilization, irrigation, mowing, etc.).