The Northwest Coalition for Alternatives to Pesticides was founded almost 25 years ago in response to forestry spraying. Over the years we have worked on a wide range of other pesticide issues. Currently, we are focusing on the following programs:

The Clean Water for Salmon Campaign seeks to protect endangered Northwest salmon species by securing clean water. New research now shows that pesticides can harm salmon at very low levels. To meet this challenge, NCAP has developed an innovative and comprehensive regional campaign that will dramatically change pesticide use in the Northwest.

The Inerts Disclosure Campaign seeks to ensure the public's right to know about ALL the ingredients in pesticide products. Product labels identify the 'active' ingredients (the ones that act on the 'pest'), but only say what percentage of the product is made up of 'inert ingredients' or 'other ingredients.' There are over 2,000 chemicals used as 'inerts' in pesticides and many of them are toxic to humans and the environment.

Pesticide Free Parks in Portland are now a reality through the hard work of NCAP and the other Pesticide Free Partners. NCAP is establishing volunteer networks to ensure the success of the three pesticide-free parks.

In 1999, NCAP's Pesticide Use Reporting Program was instrumental in getting the nation's most comprehensive pesticide use reporting bill through a hostile Oregon legislature. Promoting people's right to know, NCAP is pushing for strong implementation of this law.

NCAP's Public Education Program gets information on pesticide issues into the hands of the people who are concerned about pesticides and want to make changes -- in their own lives and in their communities. We develop our own publications, including the Journal of Pesticide Reform, and maintain an extensive library on chemicals, alternatives, and pesticide issues.

NCAP's Sustainable Agriculture Program focuses on potatoes, the most pesticide-intensive crop grown in the Northwest. NCAP is collaborating with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Idaho to implement sustainable potato production on their reservation -- 140,000 acres of the best potato-growing lands in the country.