Join the Theodore Payne Foundation and environmental toxicologist and applied mycologist Danielle Stevenson for an engaging online conversation about soil contamination, ecological recovery, and the emerging role of mycelium in environmental restoration.
Decades of human activity and development can leave behind contaminants that are difficult to see but may affect the health of our soils. This leads to a multitude of common questions:
What defines soil health?
When should we be concerned about contamination?
What happens to soil after a wildfire?
How does that compare to an urban conflagration?
How can fungi help restore damaged soils?
What steps can be taken to evaluate risks and create safer outdoor spaces for our homes, families, and communities?
Drawing on her work at the intersection of toxicology, ecology, and fungal science, Stevenson will describe how fungal networks can help break down pollutants and support healthier, more resilient landscapes.
Through real-world examples and current research, attendees will gain a practical understanding of common contaminants found in our urban landscapes. In this webinar, Stevenson will discuss how contamination concerns differ between wildfire-affected areas and urban fire zones, what soil testing can and cannot tell us, and how fungi, plants, and other nature-based approaches may be incorporated into broader restoration and sustainability strategies.
Whether you are stewarding a home garden, schoolyard, community space, or landscape recovering from fire, this webinar will provide valuable insights into assessing soil health, understanding contamination risks, and exploring science-based approaches to ecological recovery.