Climate Resilience
Nature-based Solutions for Improving Soil Health
Municipal Officials & Professionals
Backyard & Neighborhoods
Land Managers or Stewards
Youth, Parents & Teachers
The characteristics and health of the soil at any specific location will determine which Nature-based Solution will be most successful for that property, as well as where the NbS should be sited, and how it should be designed and implemented. This is true for large projects in urban settings, for NbS being used by conservation and agricultural properties, and even for small projects in neighborhoods and backyards.
Soil health is a soil’s capacity to function as a living ecosystem. The Natural Resources Conservation Service describes healthy soils as having “the continued capacity to function as a vital living ecosystem that sustains plants, animals, and humans.”
Healthy soils can:
- Provide nutritious locally-available food
- Support a biodiversity of plants, microorganisms, insects, and wildlife
- Store and filter water to mitigate both flooding and drought
- Capture and store carbon to help mitigate climate change
- Store and make nutrients available for plant growth
Nature-based Solution Idea 1:
Maximize the Presence of Living Roots
- Locate a rain barrel at corners of eaves or gutter downspouts to capture roof run-off
- Use water from barrel for watering gardens
Nature-based Solution Idea 2:
Minimize Soil Disturbance
- Identify low areas where storm run-off gathers
- Create a bowl-shaped area of sufficient size to retain run-off to allow absorption
- Plant with native flowers, shrubs, and grasses
Nature-based Solution Idea 3:
Maximize Soil Cover
- De-pave unused driveway, parking, and walkways which are non-porous
- Plant de-paved areas with meadow, vegetable and pollinator gardens, and groundcovers