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Stop chemical assault on Durango parks

Did you know that Durango’s parks and recreational playing fields are managed for weed control with dangerous chemicals? The chemical technology found in fertilizers and pesticides used today originates from World War II – synthetic chemicals as agents of warfare. Do you believe that these toxic substances stop at destroying the targeted species they are intended for?

They have a broad-spectrum effect; only grass that is genetically modified or engineered to adapt with these chemical messages of death is able to survive the application of these highly concentrated materials. Scientifically, we are able to manipulate powerful substances and concentrate them to levels of obvious destruction, selecting for only one socially preferable species. But why is a homogenized aesthetic of hybridized grass the preferred species in our local parks? We all enjoy recreation; that’s why we live in this beautiful area of the country.

It is a pleasurable experience to sit in nature’s diversely populated landscape – with plantain, clover and purslane (to name a few local herbs that have been labeled “weeds” in our area). Most residents feel comfortable among the native vegetation here. If we can relax from the excessive use of toxic substances and stop releasing them into the environment, it is clear that our physical bodies would be able to take a break from the stress of these poisons as they work their way through our internal metabolism – not to mention the ecological relief that the air, the soil and the water would gain by our shift in unconscious chemical use.

All of us can benefit from a cleaner, healthier and safer environment. We need to begin thinking of generations to come – plants, animals, soil, water, air – and, most importantly, for our human descendants. All levels of ecology are affected by the use of these substances; it is time for a peaceful resolution to stop this assault.

Tyler VanGemert

Durango



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