Hands-on Workshop: "Understanding the Soil Sponge and Green Stormwater Infrastructure"
Wednesday, August 14th, from 1 pm to 5 pm
Land managers are learning how to work with soil biology and ecological principles to create a living “soil carbon sponge” that soaks up rain and filters water. This can reduce infrastructure damage from increasing storms, mitigate the effects of flooding and drought, and improve water quality in lakes and streams, while addressing climate change through both the carbon and water cycles.
This hands-on, experiential learning pre-conference event with Didi Pershouse, Walter Jehne, and Cat Buxton (see bios here) is designed for those working with state highway departments, public works, town staff, conservation boards and districts, water quality groups, foresters, or for those interested in deepening their skills and understanding of how landscapes function and why building soil as a part of green stormwater infrastructure is a critical step in managing increasing flooding and drought conditions, as well as water quality, in our region.
We’ll cover:
- overview of the water cycle and the carbon cycle, and the relation between them
- how to make repeatable observations on the structure and function of the soil sponge
- soil health principles that underlie effective management decisions
- how to frame better questions, and to engage with landscape management in a flexible, practical, and participatory way.
- how land management on farms, fields, backyards, and forests affect: length of green
season; production per acre, per unit of input; water infiltration, formation of soil aggregates.
This workshop will take place outdoors at a local Upper Valley farm on Wednesday August 14th, from 1pm to 5pm. Thanks to a Hope Full grant from Hypertherm, the cost is just $75/person. Lunch is not included.
This workshop precedes a 4 day Soil Carbon Sponge Strategic Gathering at Lake Morey Inn in Fairlee, VT. Register for the conference or pre-conference and read more about the event and our facilitation team here. Please register by August 9.
This hands-on, experiential learning pre-conference event with Didi Pershouse, Walter Jehne, and Cat Buxton (see bios here) is designed for those working with state highway departments, public works, town staff, conservation boards and districts, water quality groups, foresters, or for those interested in deepening their skills and understanding of how landscapes function and why building soil as a part of green stormwater infrastructure is a critical step in managing increasing flooding and drought conditions, as well as water quality, in our region.
We’ll cover:
- overview of the water cycle and the carbon cycle, and the relation between them
- how to make repeatable observations on the structure and function of the soil sponge
- soil health principles that underlie effective management decisions
- how to frame better questions, and to engage with landscape management in a flexible, practical, and participatory way.
- how land management on farms, fields, backyards, and forests affect: length of green
season; production per acre, per unit of input; water infiltration, formation of soil aggregates.
This workshop will take place outdoors at a local Upper Valley farm on Wednesday August 14th, from 1pm to 5pm. Thanks to a Hope Full grant from Hypertherm, the cost is just $75/person. Lunch is not included.
This workshop precedes a 4 day Soil Carbon Sponge Strategic Gathering at Lake Morey Inn in Fairlee, VT. Register for the conference or pre-conference and read more about the event and our facilitation team here. Please register by August 9.