Our Programs
Ecological Remediation Research
We are advancing state-of-the-art research into nature-based pollution remediation methods including combinations of phytoremediation, mycoremediation, enyzmatic, microbial, and other bioremediation techniques. CAER, with the leadership of Dr. Danielle Stevenson, furthers the work of her groundbreaking research studies which field-tested and validated novel and bioregionally adapted combinations of bioremediation methods to address site specific needs.
We continue to develop a repertoire of methods to progress the field of Ecological Remediation: adapting and synthesizing bioremediation technologies to address pollution while also restoring ecosystem health and community wellbeing.
Ecological Remediation of Soils
Furthering research into bioregionally adapted methods and ecologically informed approaches for soil pollution remediation methods to treat heavy metals, organic contaminants, PAHs, TPH, hydrocarbons, VOCs, PFAS/PFOA, and more. Our phytomycoremediation methodology is the result of a first-of-its-kind field implementation study.
Ecological Remediation of Waters
Furthering research into approaches for water filtration, contaminant sequestration and degradation through biomaterials and whole-ecosystem interventions.
Mycological Research
Researching fungi, their ecosystem roles and relationships, and R&D of various mycoremediation approaches for treatment of soil contamination and water pollution.
Botanical Research
Identifying native phytoaccumulators, understanding their relationships with fungi, R&D of phytoremediation methods.
Circular Materials Program
Furthering the state-of-the-art of upcycling interventions at multiple stages of fate and transport of hazardous materials.
Applied Ecological Remediation
Our Dreams:
We are implementing our ecological remediation methods where they are needed most, working with frontline communities and addressing soil pollution through strategic partnerships. Our methods are orders of magnitudes less expensive and resource intensive than conventional remediation methods, and offer multiple benefits including ecosystem restoration, creation of greenspace, mitigation of carbon emissions, carbon sequestration, urban heat island reduction, and community empowerment.
Community Soil Remediation
We offer free and subsidized soil testing, remediation planning, and implementation support for communities struggling with soil pollution. We’ve partnered with organizations including: Orange County Environmental Justice, Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust, Communities for Better Environment, Watts Labor Action Community Action Committee, Neighborship, Laboratory for Indigenous Knowledge Systems. UCLA, USC, Resilient Palisades, DTSC and more.
Post-Fire Remediation of Public Sites
With funding from FireAid, we are implementing ecological remediation to support recovery from the 2025 fires on several public sites.
Residential Post-Fire Remediation
With funding from FireAid, we are offering free full service bioremediation to 50 homes in Altadena and Pacific Palisades to address soil contaminants from the fires.
Education, Workforce Training & Certification
Ecological Remediation Community Education Programming
We participate in and host educational events, offering accessible and nuanced explanations and toolkits for navigating the complex nature of pollution remediation - guiding participants and community members along a journey of understanding that covers hazard assessment and risk mitigation, the pros and cons of bioremediation approaches, and decision frameworks for finding the best remediation approaches that suit their needs. We then provide education and training around bioremediation methods and an Ecological Remediation approach.
Youth Workforce Development Programs
In partnership with local school districts and environmental organizations including LAUSD and Friends of LA River, we offer a career training program with STEM and Environmental Science, Public Health, and Environmental Toxicology content to high school students and youth.
Ecological Remediation Training and Certification Course
We are developing a training and certification program that covers Ecological Remediation from beginning to end, and offers career paths in environmental remediation work.
Laboratory Soil Analysis Internship
CAER provides Interns with education, training, and hands on experience with soil characterization and analysis in multiple modalities for environmental toxicology ecological remediation contexts. Interns perform laboratory work with supervision and are given opportunities to engage with and support communities facing and addressing pollution.
Field Soil Bioremediation Internship
Interns receive training and gain experience in site assessment and characterization, hazardous site safety protocols, implementation and installation of bioremediation interventions and community engagement for ecological remediation and environmental toxicology contexts.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge
We share knowledge, develop research & application pathways, and build community partnerships through partnerships with indigenous communities, including through our work with Tribal Technical Assistance to Brownfields, Laboratory for Indigenous Knowledge Systems, and more.
Food Sovereignty
We support urban farmers, agriculturalists, and other food sovereignty initiatives with data sharing and experimental design targeted at finding solutions to mitigate the risks of growing food in contaminated soils.
ArtScience Programming
We integrate Art and Science Education into programs that facilitate greater understanding of soil health and its links to public health, while offering creative interventions that integrate ecological remediation process with artistic processes as a form of community building.
Cultural Programming
We understand pollution to be both a consequence and a causal factor in complex histories of displacement, violence, and misunderstanding. To address the root causes of ongoing pollution and weave greater networks of collaboration in addressing legacy pollution, we facilitate spaces for nuanced conversation and mutual learning - seeking pathways to shift culture away from quick fix mentality, and extractive short-term thinking, and towards long term planning that holds the livelihoods of all our more-than-human kin in mind as well.