Today is World Soil Day!

Did you know that one gram of soil can contain up to 10 billion organisms? Or that the global soils are one of the largest carbon sinks on Earth?

World Soil Day was created by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to call attention to the importance of sustainable soil management and to increase soil awareness. Healthy soils are home to billions of organisms, organic compounds, and minerals that are vital to the ecological processes that sustain humans and ecosystems. However, throughout the world, soil is eroding at unprecedented rates due to unsustainable management and intensive agriculture. This has critical repercussions for global food security and sustainability.

When a soil becomes degraded, fertility and productivity are compromised. This affects the growth and health of plants and organisms who rely on the soils to thrive. In order for plant life to be nutrient-rich, it must first have roots in soils that are full of important minerals and nutrients.

Moreover, agricultural soils are the foundation of the global food supply. According to the UN, over 33% of soils on the Earth are already degraded. As the human population continues to grow, it is vital to ensure soil replenishment after each harvest as well as sustainable soil management if we wish to safekeep the global food supply. In fact, the UN has stated that proper soil management could result in agricultural ecosystems producing up to 58% more food.

Here at The Green Branch, we strive to build resilient forests that restore damaged lands and degraded soils. By planting a diverse mix of tree species, we are sowing a new generation of forests that provide vital nutrients and minerals to the soil. Healthy soil is the foundation of a healthy forest, which is why we continuously monitor and track the quality of our soil through intensive long-term aftercare plans.

Soil is more than just dirt - it is the foundation of healthy ecosystems and the very food we eat everyday. It is vital to all life on Earth and it is about time we started treating it as such.