{"id":8776,"date":"2022-02-23T15:00:17","date_gmt":"2022-02-23T20:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/?p=8776"},"modified":"2022-02-21T11:27:27","modified_gmt":"2022-02-21T16:27:27","slug":"career-spotlights-what-is-a-soil-conservationist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seeds.ca\/schoolfoodgardens\/career-spotlights-what-is-a-soil-conservationist\/","title":{"rendered":"Career Spotlights: What is a Soil Conservationist?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Author: Aiva Tavascia<\/p>\n

Editor: Rayna Almas<\/p>\n

Graphic Designer: Aiva Tavascia<\/p>\n

Publisher: Jumana Ismail<\/p>\n

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S<\/span>oil is the basis of life on Earth. Not only is it the material within which 95% of plant species grow and thousands of organisms and animals flourish, it is also an important store of carbon. Simply put, healthy soil is fundamental to human survival. Despite this, humans use and abuse our planet\u2019s without thought of consequence. According to some experts, we may only have 60 years left of viable, healthy soil if we continue with our current methods of food production that cause soil erosion and degradation.<\/span><\/p>\n

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(Image: Ontario Agricultural College\u2019s podcast, <\/span>Digging Into Dirt<\/span><\/a>)<\/span><\/p>\n

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Fortunately, there are individuals whose job it is to educate and help those who impact the land beneath our feet – farmers, construction project managers, and so on – to better understand how to minimize harm. They spend their days monitoring land and developing ways to increase sustainability, then educating others on how to join the fight for soil preservation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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This job? <\/span>Soil conservationist.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Tell me more!\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

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Soil conservationists work with landowners to manage the continued use of their land. This can look like a lot of different things depending on the project. For example, they may oversee the construction of terraces to prevent erosion on slopes. They may consult with a farmer to determine the best crop rotation plan. If working for the government, they may perform environmental compliance checks and review annual reports.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Regardless of the position or project, there are a few things that most soil conservationists will do as part of their job duties:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Collect and test soil samples to determine the extent and cause of soil erosion.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Utilize their findings to prepare reports.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Communicate their findings orally and in writing to landowners, and use their knowledge to recommend actions.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Check in periodically to ensure the land is stable and their recommendations are being put into action.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

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    Where would I work and how much would I make as a soil conservationist?\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

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    According to ECO Canada, these are some of the places you could work:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n