(Written by Katherine Jones and originally published in the Idaho Statesman) (Bill and Laurie Enger in "happier times.") “When I was trying to educate myself, your organization (NCAP) was most kind and helpful.”  –Laurie Enger   In 1994, Laurie Enger had a common and annoying problem in her Boise, Idaho home: ants. She didn’t think much of it until her daughter thought they might be carpenter ants, which chew tunnels through wood and can cause considerable damage. Laurie called a nationally known exterminator.  Continue reading

NCAP was pleased to present three Rachel Carson Award Winners for 2015 in each of our program areas. Read on to hear about the amazing work of our Healthy Food & Farms Program Winners Fred and Judy Brossy. Find out more about our other award winners at the end of this article. Continue reading

September is National Head Lice Prevention Month. We encourage parents, students, teachers and childcare professionals to be aware of this pest and understand prevention and treatment options without harmful chemicals. Continue reading

by Jeannine Nichols, NCAP supporter in Washington State It was late at night, the tail end of Thanksgiving break. As a teacher, every child’s holiday is my own. I anticipate spring break and summer vacation. I pray for snow days on cold winter evenings. When days of rest come I sink into them gratefully. I stared into the bathroom mirror, slowly brushing my hair. From the other room I could hear my husband snoring. I looked down at the sink and against the white background saw something dark move. Or did I? Was it a piece of an earlier woodland walk falling from my locks? I got in closer and moved the thing around with my finger, still unsure. I went back to brushing my hair, looking more suspiciously at my head. I brushed toward the sink. Then something else fell onto the white backdrop, a tiny, moving little creature. Continue reading

by Megan Dunn, Healthy People & Communities Program Director  For back to school, it's great to support environmental efforts and purchase recycled paper and nontoxic markers. You may be able to find recycled pens and pencils. But, you can take even more steps to ensure a clean, healthy and environmentally friendly classroom. By supporting your school’s efforts to reduce pesticides, you are protecting student, employee, and volunteer health. Continue reading