Walter Jehne, former CSIRO Climate Scientist and Microbiologist, founder of Healthy Soils Australia, and Didi Pershouse, author of The Ecology of Care and partner in the Soil Carbon Coalition, will be offering a 1-day workshop on regenerating the soil sponge: the soil's capacity to hold and store water through the accumulation of organic material.

This is particularly relevant given the fires and floods throughout California, and especially in our region.

Here's what an attendee had to say about a related 2017 event:

"I thought that the workshop that Didi facilitated this weekend with Walter Jehne was stellar. I count it as one of the best educational experiences of my life."— Dave Chapman, Founder, Longwind Farm, Vermont

Cost of the workshop is a suggested donation of $25 to 75.
Coffee, tea and refreshments will be provided, but to keep costs low we ask that you bring your own lunch (or grab some fresh garden goodies at the Abundant Table Farm Market!).

The primary foci of the workshop will be on:
- What is the soil sponge, and why is it important?
- Rehydration of landscapes through regenerating soil sponge characteristics
- How the soil sponge provides resilience to flooding, drought, and wildfires
- Details of soil root ecology, carbon accumulation, and aggregate formation
- Microbial activation of charred and dry soils for regeneration of soil health and water-holding capacity

Learn more about Walter's work, including a recent webinar on the Sustainable Design Masterclass, in the links below:
Regenerating the Soil Carbon Sponge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3nC6j80sLZo
Cooling the Climate and Restoring Ecosystems (SDM):
https://vimeo.com/251739209

Didi Pershouse:
https://www.didipershouse.com/

... and the Soil Carbon Coalition: www.soilcarboncoalition.org

Got questions?
Email susan.cousineau@gmail.com or post your questions on the event timeline for others to see.

Photo Credit: Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images: https://www.gettyimages.com/photos/robyn-beck?sort=mostpopular&mediatype=photography&phrase=robyn+beck