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providing you the public with important,
timely information about the environment.
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The EPA is accepting comments
on EPA Document: EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0334-0015, Emergency Petition to Suspend Clothianadin through Tuesday September 25th.
(It appears that about 1,200 comments have been submitted thus far—the more the better)
 Clothianadin is a neonicotinoid class pesticide, similar to imidacloprid. It is a systemic pesticide used to treat seeds of canola and corn. As a systemic pesticide, it is absorbed into the structure of the plant and contaminates it pollen and honey which are collected by honey bees and other polinators.
To submit a comment, go to www.regulations.gov and enter EPA-HQ-OPP-2012-0334-0015 on the search line and choose Comment
Your comment should be that you support the emergency petition to suspend Clothianadin. If you wish to comment further, it would be best to use your own language. ...MORE
 "50 Years After Silent Spring: On Roads Old and New"
Celebratory tribute to this great American classic and its world-famous author, Rachel Carson
This event is free to the public. Reservations are appreciated but not necessary.
September 29th • 9:30 am - 4pm
Patuxent Wildlife Visitor's Center in Laurel, MD
This event will feature presentations from reknowned environmental scientists and an eminent environmental historian as well as exhibits and videos focusing on organic, alternative and low-risk pest management strategies.
Bios and abstracts of individual featured speakers will be presented one at a time starting with Dr. Pierre Mineau.
A recent response gets published and
receives praise from the public
In the August 8, 2012 issue of the Northwest Current, Dr. Diana Post, Rachel Carson Council President, responded to baseless accusations made against Rachel Carson regarding DDT that had appeared in the August 1, 2012 "Letters to the Editor" section of the paper. The letter had opposed naming a woodland trail in Glover Archbold Park for Rachel Carson.
Dr. Post's thoughtful piece, replete with historical references and contemporary scientific citations was published under the "Viewpoint" heading. It elicited favorable comments from readers in Washington, DC to Rachel Carson Council.
Full text available here...
THE HERBICIDE 2,4-D
Problems old and new–a personal story and the formation of a surprising coalition more...
 Rachel Carson's Spring Garden Plant Selections
In response to numerous requests, we are providing details concerning Rachel Carson's plant selections for the garden at her Maryland home where she wrote Silent Spring. More...
 27 Ways to Prevent Mosquito Breeding Sites in Standing Water Around Your Home
 Rachel Carson Council's Follow-up Report on Zinc Phosphide
Rachel Carson Council sent a letter dated 11-25-11 to EPA requesting immediate action to give a higher level of protection for pets and the people who are for them from the hazardous effects of zinc phosphide, a rodenticide bait that generates toxic phosphine gas when exposed to water or stomach contents. Recent incident reports has shown toxicity of the baits especially those sold over the counter directly to homeowners. More...
Rachel Carson's Statement before the Subcommittee on Reorganization and International Organizations of the Committee on Government Operations
Environmental Hazards - Control of Pesticides and other Chemical Poisons
June 4, 1963
Download PDF
 Maryland Bans Use of Arsenic in Poultry Feed During the past several years RCC has participated in support of the efforts of Maryland legislators to pass a bill banning arsenic from poultry feed. We sent out information about his in our bulletins and alerts. This year, we reviewed a lengthy document and participated in an important conference call with legislators and supporters of the bill. We're pleased to report that the bill finally passed both Houses of Maryland's legislature. It is to be signed into law by Governor Martin O'Malley on May 22nd. RCC has been invited to attend the signing. More...
 Now Available
Get Some Green Back
The "Green Mantle™ Initiative: Get Some Green Back" gives 12 ways to help protect yourself, your family, your pets, your fellow citizens, and the wildlife work force that supplies useful ecosystem systems—while also indicating how doing so can save you money. The "Intitative" includes ways to lower your energy use while reducing greenhouse gas production; it recommends using fewer chemical pesticides to reduce risk to the environment and human health. No cost PDF is available in either full color brochure format or as concise palm card. More...
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Snoopy only lands
on Toxic-Free Lawns!
Make sure YOUR yard is chemical Pesticide-free for the safety of yourself, your children and your pets! Both parents and pet owners want to protect the precious lives in their care and provide safe places to play. This brochure discusses organic lawn care, why chemically treated lawns are especially dangerous for pets and related topics. More...
Now Available
Low-Risk Pest Management
This RCC publication is intended to be useful to anyone seeking the least hazardous methods of pest management in order to protect the health of people, pets and the environment.
Available as a downloadable PDF for homeowners, parents and pet owners. More...
 Now Available
A Bird Lover's Guide to Good Coffee
This colorful, informative brochure defines what makes shade-grown coffee bird-friendly and why it needs our support. It further explains that under the intensively-grown, "technification" systems, wintering habitats of many migratory song birds become depleted.
Includes the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center's list of birds wintering in shade-grown coffee plantations as well as a contact list of companies that sell organic, shade-grown coffee. More...
 A Great Lady's Legacy
Rachel Carson Council - 45 Years of Service and Science
Full color brochure discusses RCC's mission, current projects, future projects and services including:
• Speakers for conferences, schools, garden clubs and others
• Participation in community events
• In-depth library of scientific publications
Visit About RCC for full text
Global Climate Change:
Its Impacts on Food and the Environment
Important information on global climate change from world famous teacher and ecologist Dr. David Pimentel. more
Five Pesticide Products of
Recent Concern to RCC
ProMeris Duo™ (insecticide for use on dogs), Imprelis™ (herbicide for use on turf), Venom™, Scorpion™, and Azera™ (insecticides for use against the brown marmorated stink bug). Note: A recent article in The New York Times, "New Herbicide Suspected in Tree Deaths", discusses the Imprelis™ issue MORE...
This 60 page publication is a must for every veterinary office and animal care facility.
It is available both as a hard copy or as an e-book.
20 Questions and
Answers on Chemical
Pesticides for
Gardeners and Others.
Special Donations to RCC
Occasionally donations are made to the Rachel Carson Council, in memory of or in honor of friends, relatives or special pets. You can find a list of these Special Donations here.
Past Issues and News Items can be found here.
Looking Ahead... News and Events
- 02/17/12: RCC Paying Tribute to "Silent Spring"
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RCC paying tribute to Silent Spring on September 29th, at Patuxent Research Refuge's National Wildlife Visitors Center in Laurel, MD
"50 Years After Silent Spring"
This event will feature presentations from environmental speakers as well as exhibits and videos focusing on organic, alternative and low-risk pest management strategies.
Topics to be covered:
- The influence of Silent Spring in the US and around the world since its publication
- Birds and Pesticides
- Insects and Pesticides
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Pesticides
- Human Health and Pesticides
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Songs for the Earth:
