Gardeners have long known that soil is not simply the stuff that props up plants. But not everyone knows that regenerative organic and native plant gardening practices can help mitigate climate change. How is that? It all has to do with gardening in ways that help build and protect soil health.  This presentation will review the characteristics of healthy soil, how plants and soil life work together to store carbon below ground, and how gardeners can make a difference in the fight against climate change.

Adrian Ayres Fisher is sustainability coordinator at Triton College where, among other duties, she is in charge of two large rain gardens and a small prairie area certified as a Monarch Waystation. She is an active member of West Cook Wild Ones and volunteers with the Plants of Concern plant monitoring program in Cook County Forest Preserves.