This course offers an overview of the major types of pesticides that may affect fish and wildlife resources, typical routes of exposure, assessing potential risk, and environmental fate of pesticides in terrestrial and aquatic systems.  Portions of Federal laws that relate to pesticide use will be described.  A description of current pesticide use policy and principles of integrated pest management will be provided.  Participants will learn procedures to evaluate non-target effects, and considerations for listed species.  Case histories describe different types of pesticide use and field investigation procedures.  Useful references and information sources about pesticide safety and use and fish and wildlife risk are provided.

College Credit:  2 semester hours

Who Should Attend:  FWS staff (including endangered species biologists, refuge personnel, contaminant specialists, pesticide applicators, and law enforcement officials), and other Federal, State and Non-government Organization (NGO) personnel whose responsibilities include evaluating the legal and biological implications of fish and wildlife exposure to pesticides. 
 
Length:  5 days/36 hours

Objectives:  

• Describe the fate, transport and effects of pesticides on the environment;
• Describe Federal laws, FWS policies, and other authorities related to pesticide use;
• Assess risks of pesticides to non target organisms, including threatened and endangered species and other trust resources;
• Apply basic principles of risk assessment as they relate to pesticides;
• Conduct a terrestrial and aquatic field investigation;
• Assess effects of contemporary and historic pesticide use, and;
• Describe principles of integrated pest management.

Availability:	Annually
Contact:	Gary Schetrompf
Branch:	Conservation Science & Policy Branch
Phone:	304/876-7255