SoilGuard’s 2024 Wrap-Up: A Year of Achievements and Important Milestones
As we closed the chapter on 2024, we were thrilled to share the latest edition of the Soilguard Newsletter a comprehensive wrap-up of our most significant activities, milestones, and upcoming news. This year was a remarkable journey, full of scientific breakthroughs, valuable feedback from farmers, and recognition for our work in biodiversity and soil health. Here’s a glimpse of what was included in our latest newsletter:
- Our First Scientific Paper: Valuation of soil-mediated contributions to people (SmCPs) – a systematic review of values and methods
- Learning from Farmers: Belgian Workshops on SOILGUARDIANS APP
We took the time to listen to those who work with soil every day,our farmers. Through dedicated workshops in Belgium, we collected their valuable feedback on the SOILGUARDIANS APP to ensure it truly met their needs. - SoilGuard on the Global Stage
Our consortium was actively engaged in key events throughout the year, where we presented SoilGuard’s latest results to researchers, policymakers, and farmers. If you are curious about which international events, check it out. - A New Video: Farmers’ Perspectives on Soil Biodiversity
For the first time, we released a video featuring farmers sharing their thoughts on soil biodiversity and soil monitoring techniques. Their voices have always been at the heart of our mission, and we were excited to highlight their experiences and perspectives. - Recognized by IPBES
We were honored that SoilGuard was named one of the 14 most relevant projects in the Biodiversity Nexus Report by IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services). This recognition underscored the importance of our work in protecting soil biodiversity for a sustainable future. - SoilGuard in the Media: Featured on France Culture
Our very own Laurent Philippot, Director of Research at INRAE, was featured on France Culture’s podcast “La Science CQFD” in an episode titled Changement climatique : gare aux microbes hosted by Natacha Triou. The discussion explored the connections between soil microbes and climate change. - A New Infographic: The Value of Soil Biodiversity
We introduced SoilGuard’s integrated valuation approach, a powerful method for understanding the diverse values soil biodiversity provides for human well-being. The new infographic in our newsletter helped illustrate this concept.
What’s Next?
The SoilGuard project has even more exciting developments ahead in 2025. We will continue rolling out new activities, research findings, and resources to support sustainable soil management. More updates will follow soon.
We invite you to explore the full newsletter and read more about these developments. Thank you for being part of the SoilGuard community, together, we are working towards healthier soils and a more sustainable future.