University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, is offering a workshop March 5 to train people throughout the state how to properly use pesticides in aquatic environments to avoid damage to water quality and nontarget plants and wildlife.

The workshop is meant for certified applicators and those wanting to become certified, including people who regularly handle pesticides as part of their jobs, such as farmers, ranchers, park employees and groundskeepers. Attendees will receive continuing education units.

"This training is geared towards those individuals who apply pesticides on or near surface water bodies," Cooperative Extension Urban Integrated Pest Management and Pesticide Safety Program Coordinator Melody Hefner said. "Attending the course will help those wanting to pass the Nevada Certified Pesticide Applicators exam for Category 5, Aquatic Pest Control. It will not cover all the information required for individuals to pass the General Exam."

The training will be held in Cooperative Extension offices at 4955 Energy Way in Reno and 8050 Paradise Road in Las Vegas. It will also be available via interactive video at Cooperative Extension offices in Battle Mountain, Caliente, Carson City, Elko, Ely, Eureka, Fallon, Gardnerville, Hawthorne, Logandale, Lovelock, Winnemucca and Yerington. The training runs from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The cost for the workshop is $30 and includes refreshments.

Cooperative Extension, in partnership with the Nevada Department of Agriculture, has offered pesticide application workshops for over 20 years, training thousands of Nevadans in safe pesticide use.

Limited seating is available for the workshop. Preregister by March 1 online or by contacting Hefner at 775-336-0247 or hefnerm@unce.unr.edu. Persons in need of special accommodations or assistance should call at least three days prior to the scheduled event.

Hard copies of the study manual for the general exam are available for purchase through Cooperative Extension's Grow Your Own Nevada! website. Hard copies are available for $15 at the Washoe County Extension office, 4955 Energy Way in Reno and at most other Cooperative Extension offices throughout the state, or for $20 by mail. The manual may be downloaded online for free at www.nevadapesticideeducation.com.