Christa Avampato's Blog, page 4

Fidelity Investments is helping me take care of my financial future

This week I did my annual review with my financial advisor, Zachary Clark, at Fidelity Investments. I want to shout out how thoughtfully and thoroughly he went through all of my accounts and assets. Even more importantly, he took the time to really listen to my goals to make specific recommendations and adjustments to my finances. These times are uncertain and the economy is challenging. It helps to know that this company has my back and is looking out for me. I don’t think it’s true for a lot of financial institutions; it’s definitely true for Fidelity. I highly recommend them.

Below are a few brief bullets about the advice and counsel my financial advisor had. Please keep in mind these are specific to me. That’s the beauty of Fidelity’s goal-based management. It’s designed for me, my financial situation, my goals, and my risk-tolerance. Your plan, because it’s designed for you, could be different.

I acknowledge I’m extremely fortunate to have been able to work hard to get to this point in my financial life. I grew up very poor and struggled financially for many years. To now be in a position to make these choices is a privilege I never take for granted. I’m very grateful.

My plan:
1.) I opened a managed brokerage account
I’m maxing out my 403(b) (my retirement account from my nonprofit employer) and Roth IRA contributions. I have an emergency fund saved in a high-yield savings account. I have no debt. I wanted to know what else I could do.

He suggested a managed brokerage account to help my mid-term (5-10 years) money do more for me. I don’t know what I want to do with that money yet so this option gives me flexibility while also earning more than it would in a savings account. This account is a different goal from my retirement account as I will likely use it for a purpose other than retirement. For example, I may decide to use it to buy a home, start a business, or invest in a business. You may use this kind of account for any goal you want – saving for college, a trip, wedding, baby, etc. No penalties for withdrawal and the potential to earn more interest than I would get by just having it in a CD or high-yield savings account.

2.) I decided not to buy an apartment right now
Interest rates are high. NYC prices and maintenance fees are high. The housing market is uncertain. I have an incredible rental deal. Taking all this into consideration, we decided it makes sense for me to continue renting for now and re-evaluate if and when markets shift. Fidelity has a rent vs buy calculator to help with this decision.

3.) My Roth IRA is now managed by Fidelity, matches my risk profile, and is funded by auto-debit
My Roth IRA has had a 35 / 65 split between stocks and bonds / cash. I’m quite a few years from retirement so it makes sense for it to have the 85 / 15 split my rollover IRA has. (My rollover IRA is the money from 401K and 403b accounts I had with former employers.) I also set up monthly auto-debit from my savings account to my Roth IRA so I make sure to max it out every year. Doing this over the course of the year helps me even out the volatility of the market. Fidelity managing it, with my personalized goals in mind, means I don’t worry about managing it myself.

I hope this info about Fidelity’s tools and advice are helpful. If you’ve got other questions, feel free to ask in the comments or DM me.

Nature’s Ancient Sages: What Bristlecone Pines Teach Us About Thriving

A gnarled, ancient bristlecone pine on White Mountain Road in Bishop, California. Photo by Donna Elliot on Unsplash

Have you ever wondered what it takes to survive for thousands of years in some of the most unforgiving environments on Earth? Look no further than the remarkable bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva.) They are living legends, silent witnesses to millennia of history, and powerful teachers for us all.

Found clinging to rocky, high-altitude slopes in the White Mountains of California, the Great Basin, and other western ranges, bristlecone pines endure brutal winds, extreme temperature swings, nutrient-poor soil, and minimal moisture. Yet, they don’t just survive; they thrive with an astonishing longevity. One of the oldest known living organisms on Earth is a Bristlecone Pine named Methuselah, estimated to be over 4,800 years old! Imagine, it was a seedling when the pyramids of Egypt were being built!

What’s their secret to such incredible resilience?

Slow and Steady Wins the Race: Unlike many faster-growing trees, bristlecones grow incredibly slowly. They conserve energy and resources, focusing on long-term survival over rapid expansion. (In our world obsessed with growth, what a business lesson that is!)Always Run Defense: Their dense wood contains a high amount of resin — a sticky substance produced by trees as a defense mechanism. It hardens when exposed to air and that forms a protective barrier, making them highly resistant to insects, fungi, and rot.Adaptability is Key: Their root systems are shallow but extensive, allowing them to capture what little moisture and nutrients are available from a wide swath of land. Their needles, which they can retain for decades, are adapted to retain water in dry conditions.Embrace Adversity and Go Where Others Won’t: The very conditions that would kill other trees seem to strengthen bristlecones. The harsh winds sculpt their trunks into gnarled, twisted masterpieces, giving them a unique and beautiful character that inspires every artist who sees them. The lack of competition at high altitudes allows them to dominate their niche. (As we know, unsexy business niches can be wildly successful for this reason, too!)The Power of Perseverance: Even when parts of the tree die, the bristlecone continues to live and grow from the remaining sections, often forming dramatic “flagged” branches that appear to be dead or dying. These branches are like scars worn as badges of honor — testaments to the tree’s enduring struggles.

What can these ancient sages teach us about navigating our own lives?

The bristlecone pine offers profound lessons in resilience, adaptability, and perseverance — qualities that are invaluable in our fast-paced and often challenging world, especially in business.

Embrace “Slow Growth”: In a society that often glorifies rapid success, the bristlecone reminds us of the power of steady, sustainable progress. Don’t be discouraged by seemingly slow advancements; true strength and longevity often come from a deliberate, methodical approach. I recently read a quote by Sharon Olds that really hit home: “I was a late bloomer. But anyone who blooms at all, ever, is very lucky.”Find Your Niche and Adapt: Like the bristlecone thriving where others falter, identify your unique strengths and adapt to your environment. Instead of fighting against challenges, look for ways to work with them, turning obstacles into opportunities.Resilience Through Adversity: Life will inevitably throw harsh conditions our way. The bristlecone teaches us that these very struggles can sculpt us, making us stronger and more unique. Don’t fear the difficult times; learn from them and let them shape your character.Persevere, Even When Parts Feel Worn: There will be moments when we feel depleted or broken. The bristlecone shows us that even when parts of us feel exhausted, we can continue to grow and thrive from the remaining, healthy parts. Focus on what still functions and keep moving forward.Find Beauty in Your Scars: The gnarled, twisted forms of the bristlecone pines are considered incredibly beautiful. Our own struggles and challenges leave marks on us, but these scars can be a testament to our strength and resilience, making us uniquely beautiful with stories to tell.

The next time you face a challenge, take a moment to reflect on the bristlecone pine. Let its ancient wisdom inspire you to stand tall, adapt to the winds of change, and embrace the slow, steady process of becoming stronger, wiser, and more resilient.

Nature’s Embrace: Surprising Ways to Travel Sustainably This Summer! ☀️

Photo by Luca Bravo on Unsplash

Summer is calling, and with it, the urge to explore! But as nature lovers, we’re always looking for ways to minimize our footprint while maximizing our adventures. Beyond the well-known tips, there are some truly surprising and delightful ways to make your summer travels more sustainable. Get ready to rethink your next getaway!

1. Embrace the “Slow Travel” Revolution (Beyond Just Trains!):

We often hear about taking trains instead of planes, which is fantastic! But “slow travel” can be so much more. This summer, consider:

Barge Holidays: Imagine gently gliding along canals in Europe or the UK, powered by electric or hybrid engines. You unpack once, enjoy stunning scenery, and dock in charming villages – all while leaving a minimal carbon footprint. Many offer bike rentals for shore excursions! Google “barge holidays” and you’ll find so many options. Add a location to your search if you fancy traveling to a specific area.Long-Distance Cycling Tours (with luggage transport): Not an ultra-cyclist? No problem! Companies now specialize in multi-day cycling tours where your luggage is transported for you. You get the incredible experience of human-powered travel and the joy of exploring at a leisurely pace, truly connecting with the landscape. Intrepid Travel has many global options, caters to cyclists of all skill levels, and they are a B-Corp with a commitment to sustainability and wildlife welfare. Backroads is another great company with destinations all over the world and in the U.S., and they also have a strong purpose-driven commitment to communities and the environment.River Cruises on Electric/Hybrid Vessels: Look for smaller, eco-conscious river cruise lines that are investing in greener technologies. These offer a unique perspective on landscapes and cultures, often with a focus on local experiences and less mass tourism. Several companies are actively developing and deploying these vessels, with notable examples like A-ROSA Cruises, Viking River Cruises, and Hurtigruten.

2. The Power of the “Micro-Adventure” & Hyper-Local Exploration:

Sustainable travel doesn’t always mean going far. This summer, recharge your personal battery by rediscovering the magic close to home:

Backyard Camping (or Glamping!): Transform your own outdoor space into a nature retreat. It eliminates travel emissions entirely and allows you to enjoy the stars, build a campfire (responsibly), and reconnect with nature right outside your door.“Staycations” with a Green Twist: Instead of just staying home, actively seek out eco-friendly businesses, farmers’ markets, and natural areas in your own region. Discover hidden gems, support local sustainable initiatives, and reduce your travel impact significantly.Paddle Power Adventures: Kayaking, canoeing, or stand-up paddleboarding on local lakes, rivers, or coastlines offers an incredible way to experience nature from a new perspective, with zero emissions. Pack a picnic and make a day of it!

3. Rethink Your Accommodation (Beyond Eco-Lodges):

While dedicated eco-lodges are wonderful, there are other creative sustainable options:

Farm Stays: Many working farms now offer accommodation, allowing you to connect with the land, learn about sustainable agriculture, and often enjoy farm-to-table meals. It’s an authentic, low-impact way to experience rural life. Farmstay has U.S. locations and Farm Stay Planet has global locations. These are two of many organizations that can help you find this type of accommodation. If you’re interested in spending some time working on an organic farm, check out WWOOF.House Swapping/Sitting: Exchange homes with someone in a different location. This not only saves money on accommodation but also minimizes the environmental impact associated with building and maintaining commercial lodging. Plus, you get to live like a local! HomeExchange is one platform that facilitates home swaps and they’re also a B Corp.Camping (Low-Impact Style): Even traditional camping can be made more sustainable. Choose designated campsites, practice Leave No Trace principles diligently, use reusable cooking gear, and minimize your water and energy consumption. Backcountry’s free online guide is a good place to start to learn about this style of camping.

4. The Art of Packing Light & Smart:

This isn’t just about avoiding baggage fees; it’s about reducing the fuel needed to transport heavier loads.

Multi-Purpose Items: Think sarongs that double as towels, blankets, or skirts. Solid shampoo bars that eliminate plastic bottles. Travel-sized, concentrated products.Sustainable Fabrics: Choose clothing made from natural, breathable, and durable fabrics that don’t require frequent washing (e.g., merino wool, hemp, organic cotton).This is a tough one for me so I’m consulting REI’s free online guide with step-by-step tips and starter packing list.

This summer, let’s challenge ourselves to travel not just for leisure, but with intention. By embracing these surprising sustainable travel methods, we can nurture our wanderlust while protecting the very natural world that inspires it. Happy and sustainable travels!

Ditch the Mower, Find the Wonder! 🌿 Your Guide to a Wild(ish) Lawn

Photo by Elisa on Unsplash

As spring flourishes in all its glory (hello, sunshine!), you might be eyeing that lawnmower with a familiar sigh. But what if I told you less work for you could mean more life in your lawn? This week, let’s talk about a trend that’s buzzing with benefits: letting your lawn go a little wild!

Forget the pressure of a perfectly manicured green carpet. In reality, that perfect lawn is nearly dead. A wilder lawn isn’t about letting things run completely rampant (unless that’s your jam!). It’s about consciously creating a more natural, vibrant, and wonderfully low-maintenance space that’s teeming with life. And that wild lawn has benefits for you, your bank account, wildlife, and this beautiful planet we all share.

Why Let Your Lawn Loosen Up? More Buzz, Less Fuss!

Become a Local Wildlife Hotspot: Think of it — your very own mini-nature reserve! Longer grasses and native “weeds” (I prefer “wildflowers-in-disguise” like clover and dandelions) become a five-star restaurant and hotel for bees, butterflies, ladybugs, and songbirds. You’ll be amazed at who shows up!
Kick Back & Relax (More!) and Save Money: Less mowing, less watering, less fertilizing… need we say more? A wilder lawn means more time for you to actually enjoy your outdoor space, not just work on it. And it also saves you money.
Better For You, Better for the Planet: Wild lawns are surprisingly powerful. Their diverse plant life helps soak up rainwater (reducing runoff), improves soil health, and even captures more carbon. You’ll also naturally reduce (or eliminate!) the need for chemical pesticides and fertilizers, which is a win for everyone. And again, it saves you money.
A Feast for the Senses: Swap out the monotonous green for a shifting tapestry of textures, colors, and gentle movement. Watch wildflowers bloom and seed, listen to the hum of happy pollinators, and discover the intricate beauty of a natural ecosystem right outside your door.

Ready to Embrace Your Lawn’s Wild Side? It’s Easier (and Less Expensive) Than You Think!

Going wild doesn’t mean your yard needs to look messy. It’s about intentional choices that welcome and embrace nature. Here’s how to get started:

Start Small, Mow Tall: You don’t have to go all-in at once. Designate a section of your lawn — maybe the back corner, or a strip along the fence — to let grow longer. Even raising your mower blades to 3–4 inches on the parts you do mow makes a big difference for tiny critters and plant health.
“No Mow May” (and Beyond!): You might have heard of “No Mow May” — it’s a fantastic initiative by Bee City USA, a nonprofit that connects communities of people and pollinators in mutually-beneficial ways, to give emerging pollinators a head start! Why not extend the idea? Try mowing less frequently throughout the growing season. Every two weeks? Once a month for certain areas? Experiment and see what works for you.
Love Your “Weeds”: Those dandelions? Early spring food for bees! Clover? It’s a nitrogen-fixer, meaning it naturally fertilizes your soil, and pollinators adore it. There’s a lot to love about these volunteer plants.
Sprinkle Some Native Charm: Consider overseeding parts of your lawn with native low-growing wildflowers (spread wildflower seed over an existing lawn without disturbing the soil) or a “bee lawn” mix suitable for your geographic region. These plants are adapted to our climate and provide the best resources for local wildlife. A quick search for “bee lawn” mix or a visit to a local native plant nursery can provide great options.
Create “Cues to Care”: Worried about what the neighbors might think? Keep the edges of your wilder areas neatly mown. This creates a look of “intentional wildness” and shows your landscape is cared for, not neglected. A small, friendly sign explaining your lawn is a “Pollinator Paradise” or “Wildlife Life” area can also work wonders and tell your story, raising awareness, advocating for wildlife, and encouraging your neighbors to give it a try, too.
Patience is Your Superpower: Transforming a conventional lawn into a mini-meadow takes time. Don’t get discouraged. Enjoy observing the changes each week and season. You’re creating a living landscape, and every small step is a win.

Wild Fact: Allowing your grass to grow taller encourages deeper root systems, making your lawn more drought-tolerant. Less watering for you, less money spent, fewer resources used, and more resilience for your yard!

Ready to trade some mowing time for more butterflies and birdsong? Letting your lawn go a little wild is a simple, rewarding way to make a big difference for your local ecosystem and your own well-being.

Happy wilding!

My book birthday wish for the world (and a free gift)

Me holding Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads on top of Arthur’s Seat, an ancient extinct volcano that is the main peak of the group of hills in Holyrood Park in Edinburgh, Scotland. June 2024.

Today marks one year since my second novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads, was published. To celebrate, the eBook of my first novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, is free today and tomorrow, May 14th and May 15th. Get it here.

Creativity is a lifeline for me. I’m so grateful to have writing as a spiritual practice that offers me the chance to bring my whole self to the page, and I’m grateful for every kind word, review, and note I’ve received from all of you. You raise me up.

In the author’s note of Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads, I wrote, “Since Emerson emerged in 2017 in my first novel, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, our world has been turned upside down. The pandemic, climate change, conflict across the world—all of it is cause for anxiety and distress. It’s okay to not be okay with any of this, to be scared in a world that seems so far out of our control. But what’s also true is that there is so much love, light, wonder, and beauty in this world, and in you. Emerson’s story is a mix of the joys and difficulties that are part of every life. She rises, falls, and rises again. And so do we.”  

I believed that when I wrote it on February 29, 2024, and I believe it today. If ever there was a time to create, celebrate, and elevate love, light, wonder, and beauty, it’s now. Right now.

So, on this first birthday of Emerson Page and Where the Light Leads, this is my book birthday wish for all of us: that we will continue to create and love, that we will live out loud, that we will express our joy, without fear and without reservation. As Mary Oliver so beautifully wrote in her poem, Don’t Hesitate: “Life has some possibility left…Joy is not made to be a crumb.” Please, make your joy the whole damn cake. Today and every day.

These two photos are from that same trip as the photos above. On the left, I’m at Castlerigg Stone Circle in Keswick, England, a town in the Lake District. On the right, that’s a photo I took on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Both June / July 2024.

Thoughts for all the moms

Me and my foster dog, Dorothy

From me and my foster pup, Dorothy, happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there!

And to all people who mother in a million different ways, to mothers who are no longer here with us as they once were, to all moms to be, and to all for whom this day is complicated, I’m thinking of you, too.

As always, I’m grateful for the mother of us all – this big beautiful planet who takes care of us and needs us to take care of her.

Get outside and enjoy this gorgeous day!

Building Nature’s Highways: Why Wildlife Corridors Matter, Especially in a City Like New York

Photo by Maurice Gort on Unsplash

In the urban symphony of honking taxis and bustling sidewalks, it’s easy to forget that New York City is also home to a surprising array of wildlife. From the familiar pigeons and squirrels to more elusive species like coyotes, egrets, and even occasional seals in the harbor, nature finds a way to persist amidst the concrete jungle. However, these urban dwellers face significant challenges, primarily the fragmentation of their habitats. Parks, green spaces, and natural areas exist as isolated islands in a sea of development, making it difficult for animals to move, find food and mates, and maintain healthy populations.

This is where wildlife corridors, also known as green corridors or ecological corridors, become vital. More than just 2 patches of green, these linear stretches of habitat act as nature’s highways, providing safe passage for animals to travel across urban landscapes and limit interactions with humans (which keeps wildlife and humans safe.)

Why are wildlife corridors so important?

The benefits of establishing and maintaining wildlife corridors extend far beyond simply allowing animals to move:

Combating Habitat Fragmentation: Urban sprawl carves up natural landscapes, isolating animal populations. Corridors reconnect these fragmented habitats, allowing for greater movement and reducing the risks of inbreeding and localized extinctions.Promoting Biodiversity: By facilitating the flow of individuals between different areas, corridors help maintain genetic diversity within species and support a wider variety of plant and animal life.Supporting Migration and Dispersal: Many species need to move seasonally or disperse to new areas to find resources or establish new territories. Corridors make these crucial movements possible.Enhancing Ecosystem Health: The movement of wildlife aids in essential ecological processes like pollination and seed dispersal, contributing to the overall health and resilience of urban ecosystems.Increasing Climate Resilience: Green corridors can provide areas that may offer refuge as the climate changes, allowing species to shift their ranges. They also contribute to urban cooling and stormwater management by providing more green space – a win for all species, including humans.Providing Educational and Recreational Opportunities: Urban green spaces, including corridors, offer residents opportunities to connect with nature, observe wildlife, and engage in outdoor activities. (However, please don’t touch wildlife or attempt to corner them to get a photo – give them space and let them be.)

Building Nature into the Urban Fabric of New York City

Integrating wildlife corridors into a dense, established metropolis like New York City presents unique challenges, but it is possible. It requires creative thinking, strategic planning, and a commitment to green infrastructure. Here are some ways we can build nature’s highways into our city:

Leveraging Existing Green Spaces: Connecting existing parks, community gardens, cemeteries, and natural areas through planted streetscapes, greenways along industrial areas or waterways, and even strategically placed planter boxes can create a network of connected habitats.Creating Green Roofs and Walls: These vertical and horizontal green spaces on buildings can act as steppingstones or even continuous pathways for birds, insects, and small mammals, particularly in areas with limited ground-level space.Utilizing Waterfronts: New York City’s extensive coastline and rivers offer significant opportunities to establish riparian corridors with native vegetation, providing crucial habitat and movement pathways for a variety of species. The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, while primarily for human use, also offers ecological benefits and could be further enhanced for wildlife.Designing Wildlife Crossings: While more challenging in a dense urban environment, innovative solutions like vegetated overpasses or underpasses could be explored in areas where major roads or highways sever existing or potential green spaces.Prioritizing Native Plants: Filling these corridors with native trees, shrubs, and flowering plants is crucial as they provide the specific food and shelter that local wildlife need. This also reduces the need for intensive maintenance and pesticides.Rethinking Urban Planning and Development: Integrating ecological connectivity into the very fabric of urban planning is key. This includes implementing regulations that encourage green infrastructure in new developments and protecting existing natural areas.Engaging the Community: Educating residents about the importance of urban wildlife and corridors, and involving them in planting and stewardship efforts, can foster a sense of ownership and ensure the long-term success of these initiatives. Programs reducing pesticide use in private gardens and encouraging bird-friendly glass windows to prevent collisions (we lose an astonishing 90,000 to 230,000 birds to window collisions in New York City every year) also contribute to a healthier urban ecosystem.

New York City has already taken steps in this direction with its extensive park system and efforts to restore natural areas. By intentionally building and enhancing wildlife corridors, the city can become a more resilient, biodiverse, and ultimately, more livable place for both its human and animal inhabitants. It’s an investment in the ecological health of the city and a recognition that even in the heart of the urban jungle, nature deserves a connected path forward.

The happy-sad of old grief

Phinny’s cherry blossoms in Central Park on May 2, 2025. Photo by me.

Unexpected laptop issues brought me into the office on Friday afternoon. Our wonderful IT department got my laptop fixed and then I popped down to see my friend whom I work for to have a conversation about a number of different topics. It lasted a couple of hours – much longer than I expected! – so it was the end of the work day by the time we finished up.

Though it was a hot and sticky afternoon, I was close to Central Park. The weather has been a bit of a mess on the weekends so my friend, Ashley, and I didn’t get to see Phinny’s cherry blossoms together this year. I decided to venture up to the park’s reservoir to see what was left of them and walk the path that Phinny and I walked so many times over our years together.

As I wound my way through the park from Central Park South to 86th Street, memories lived around every bend. Picnics. Concerts. Softball games. Walks and talks. Museums. Some tears and moments of sadness. That’s the stuff of every life – joy and difficulty.

I passed by my favorite tree in the park, a great hulking beauty perfect for sitting and watching the world go by. The Pinetum that Phinny loved to nose around in. The apartment on 81st street perched high above the American Museum of Natural History that Phineas and I always thought would be the dream apartment for us to live in. The archways that always feel like portals. Inspirations for my Emerson Page books. Central Park holds all of it.

Though the cherry blossoms around the reservoir were a bit past their prime, Phinny’s spirit and I didn’t care. It’s such a beautiful part of the park and we spent so many happy days there. Some blossoms were still blooming. The petals were pooled around the tree trunks – how Phinny loved to scoop up those petals with his prominent snoot, just like my friend, Ashley, showed in the watercolor of him she made for me! On the rare occasion that Phinny and I would sit under those trees – he and I are much more into exploring than sitting – he’d look at me with his big soulful eyes and happy smile. Then after a few moments, he’d try to wander over to someone else’s blanket to invite himself to their picnic and see what they had on offer. What a hound!

My eyes teared up and I laughed thinking of all his antics. I was happy-sad. So grateful for every single one of those memories and so sad that our time together in that way has passed.

That’s the thing about grief: if we’re lucky, it always stings at least a little. We never get over missing someone we love. Thankfully, the world conspires to keep them close to us, memories everywhere and signs in everything.

Photos below from my walk through Central Park.

Philosophy in figs

It’s fresh fig season! I picked up these beauties at my neighborhood produce market. My favorite way to have them is sliced with a dab of goat cheese and drizzled with honey. (I’m so lucky to have delicious local honey from a beekeeper friend.)

As I prepared my plate, I felt a twinge of sadness that fresh fig season is so short – only a few weeks. Yes, you can dry them or turn them into jam but nothing beats fresh figs.

Loving every bite, I reminded myself that maybe the short window for anything – produce, cherry blossoms, and even the blip of a long life on the scale of deep time – is exactly the point. Savor what we have while we have it so that we always have the memory to enjoy.

Digging Deep: How Healthy Soil Can Help Heal Our Planet

Photo by Steven Weeks on Unsplash

We often look to the skies, the oceans, or technological innovations when discussing climate change solutions. But what if a powerful tool lies right beneath our feet? Healthy, living soil is an unsung hero in the fight against climate change and a cornerstone of a truly healthier planet.

To educate myself on soil health, I watched the documentaries Kiss the Ground and Common Ground on Amazon Prime Video. After watching them, I immediately visited their resources website filled with free ebooks and guides that can help all of us advocate for this climate solution and immediately take action in our everyday lives.

For too long, we’ve treated soil like dirt – an inert medium to hold plants up. In reality, healthy soil is a complex, dynamic ecosystem teeming with billions of microbes, fungi, insects, and worms. This underground world plays a crucial role in regulating our climate and supporting life on Earth.

How Does Soil Fight Climate Change? The Carbon Connection

The key lies in carbon sequestration. Here’s how it works:

Photosynthesis: Plants pull carbon dioxide (CO2​), a major greenhouse gas, from the atmosphere.Carbon Transfer: Through photosynthesis, plants convert this carbon into sugars to fuel their growth. Some of this carbon builds their leaves and stems, but a significant amount is channeled down into their roots.Soil Storage: Plants release carbon compounds through their roots (exudates) to feed soil microbes. When plants and microbes die and decompose, this carbon becomes part of soil organic matter (SOM) – a complex, dark material rich in carbon.Locking it Away: In healthy, undisturbed soil with a thriving microbial community, this carbon can remain stable and locked away for decades, centuries, or even millennia, effectively removing it from the atmosphere where it would otherwise trap heat.

The Problem with Degraded Soil

Unfortunately, many modern agricultural and land management practices have degraded our soils worldwide. Practices like intensive tilling, overuse of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, deforestation, and leaving soil bare disrupt the soil structure, kill beneficial microbes, and lead to erosion.

When soil is degraded:

It loses its ability to store carbon. Tilling, for instance, exposes SOM to oxygen, causing microbes to rapidly consume it and release the stored carbon back into the atmosphere as CO2​.It can release other potent greenhouse gases like nitrous oxide (N2​O) due to synthetic nitrogen fertilizer overuse.Its capacity to absorb and hold water diminishes, increasing runoff, erosion, and vulnerability to both droughts and floods.

Beyond Carbon: The Ripple Effects of Healthy Soil

Improving soil health isn’t just about carbon. It creates a cascade of benefits for a healthier planet:

Improved Water Management: Healthy soil with good structure absorbs more water, reducing runoff, preventing erosion, and recharging groundwater. This makes landscapes more resilient to both floods and droughts.Enhanced Biodiversity: Thriving soil ecosystems support a vast array of life, from microscopic bacteria and fungi to earthworms and insects, forming the base of terrestrial food webs.Reduced Pollution: Healthy soil filters water and can break down certain pollutants. By reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, soil-friendly practices also decrease chemical runoff into waterways.Increased Food Security & Nutrition: Healthy soils produce more resilient and nutrient-dense crops, contributing to a more stable and nutritious food supply.Reduced Need for Inputs: Soils rich in organic matter and microbial life naturally provide more nutrients to plants, lessening the dependence on synthetic fertilizers, the production of which is energy-intensive and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.Reduced Erosion: Strong soil structure, held together by roots and microbial glues, resists being washed or blown away, preserving our precious topsoil.Cleaner Air: By reducing wind erosion, healthy soils contribute to cleaner air with less dust and particulate matter.

How Can We Improve Soil Health?

The good news is that we know how to regenerate soil health. These key practices, often grouped under the umbrella of regenerative agriculture or soil health management systems, have proven benefits for soil health:

Minimize Soil Disturbance: Reducing or eliminating tillage (plowing) keeps the soil structure intact, protects soil organisms, and prevents carbon release.Keep the Soil Covered: Planting cover crops or leaving crop residue on the surface protects the soil from erosion, suppresses weeds, and adds organic matter.Increase Plant Diversity: Rotating diverse crops and integrating cover crops feeds different types of soil microbes and improves soil structure.Keep Living Roots in the Ground: Continuous plant cover ensures the soil microbiome is consistently fed via root exudates.Integrate Livestock (Managed Grazing): Well-managed grazing can stimulate plant growth, add manure (nutrients and organic matter), and improve soil health.Reduce/Eliminate Synthetic Inputs: Minimizing chemical fertilizers and pesticides allows the natural soil ecosystem to thrive.Composting: Adding compost to gardens and farms directly increases soil organic matter.

What Can You Do?

Support Regenerative Farmers: Look for food grown using soil-healthy practices. Ask questions at farmers’ markets.Compost: Turn your food scraps and yard waste into valuable soil amendments for your garden or community garden.Garden Smarter: Practice no-dig gardening, use mulch, plant cover crops, and avoid synthetic chemicals.Advocate: Support policies that incentivize farmers to adopt soil-healthy practices.Learn & Share: Learn more and spread the word about the critical importance of soil health. Watching Kiss the Ground and Common Ground on Amazon Prime Video, and visiting their resources website are great ways to start!

Conclusion

Healing our planet requires looking down as much as we look up. By focusing on regenerating the health of our soils, we can actively draw down atmospheric carbon, enhance water cycles, boost biodiversity, improve food security, and build resilience to climate extremes. Healthy soil is a powerful, natural climate solution hiding in plain sight – it’s time we recognized its potential and started digging deep for a healthier future.