Resources for Course Providers & Businesses

Resource List

The resources on this page are intended to help you select products and materials that comply with Be Green Organic Yards NY conditions, and link to sources of information that will help with general practices. This is not an exhaustive list. These references to resources are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of any product, material, or business by NYSDEC.

Note: All the links on this page leave the DEC website

Minimum Risk Pesticides under FIFRA Section 25(b)

The Be Green Organic Yards NY program allows for the use of minimum risk pesticides.

Products conforming to National Organic Program Standards

Products and materials (such as seeds, pest management tools, and fertilizers) that conform to the federal National Organic Program's standards can be found at this searchable site maintained by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI). Downloadable copies of the lists are also available on this page:

Organic Materials Review Institute - Products List

Seed and Stock Sources

Maine Yardscaping for a Healthy Maine

Native Plant Center at Westchester Community College

Johnson Wildflower Center, University of Texas

Project Native - Growing Nature's Garden

Genetically Modified Organisms

No genetically modified (GMO) turf or ornamental species are currently available commercially, although petitions are pending for one rose variety and one species of creeping bentgrass. If you have questions about whether a turf or ornamental species is genetically modified, check the following websites:

Searchable database of commercially available genetically modified organisms and species

Pending GMO permits Petitions for Nonregulated Status Pending) and approved GMO species (Petitions for Nonregulated Status Granted)

Identifying Invasive Species

The Office of Invasive Species Coordination at NYSDEC has drafted an interim list of invasive species in New York State. While not all of these are relevant to the yard setting, please consult this list if you are unsure whether a species you are considering planting is invasive.

Websites of General Interest

NOFA Organic Land Care

Cornell Univeristy NYS IPM Program - Lawn Care Without Pesticides: How to keep your grass healthy so that you can reduce or eliminate the need for lawn chemicals

Grassroots Healthy Lawn Program

Ecological Landscaping Association

"Safe Lawns.org - promoting natural grounds care and lawn maintenance"

Society for Organic Urban Land Care

University of Kentucky Entomology Alternative Control Measures for Pests of Shade Trees and Woody Ornamentals in the Home Landscape