Cultivating Soil Literacy: Eco-Literacy Programs for Educators and Students in Primary and Secondary Education

Summary of the challenge
There is a global gap in eco-literacy and, specifically, soil literacy within primary and secondary education. Most students and educators receive little formal exposure to the foundational role of soil in ecosystems, climate, and food security. By equipping educators with the resources, knowledge, and confidence to integrate soil literacy into their curricula, and by engaging students through interactive, participatory approaches, we can spark lifelong stewardship and democratic participation in soil issues.
Detailed description
This initiative will develop, pilot, and disseminate a suite of eco-literacy resources—lesson plans, hands-on activities, digital media, and training modules—aimed at both teachers and their students. Key components include: *Teacher training workshops focused on the science, social, and cultural dimensions of soil. *Classroom-ready modules on soil health, biodiversity, urban soils, and regenerative land practices. *Development of student-led projects (soil observation, citizen science, creative arts) to foster personal and collective connection to soil. *Networking and knowledge-sharing across schools, NGOs, and local communities. The intention is to create replicable, adaptable models that can be embedded in standard curricula and extracurricular programs, thus ensuring both immediate impact and long-term sustainability of soil literacy efforts. This initiative builds on the body of knowledge that has been in active development and dissemination through Gaia University International, an action-learning institution with a twenty year history that confers Bachelors and Masters degrees as well as a variety of certifications. As Adjunct Faculty and Academic Advisor at this institution, as well as a regular guest lecturer at other universities and international High Schools, this initiative represents my response to the concerning lack of ecological literacy that I witness across the academic landscape. By developing this project in collaboration with a wide-range of educators and institutions we can address this challenge in ways that are locally and culturally relevant.
Which SoilTribes priority area(s) does your challenge address?
Soil Democracy
Commons Stewardship
Regenerative Transitions
How does your challenge respond to the selected SoilTribes priority area(s)?
Soil Democracy: By empowering the next generation of citizens and their educators with the understanding necessary to participate confidently in environmental decision-making, the challenge directly democratizes knowledge and action around soil. Commons Stewardship: The project raises awareness about the collective responsibility for soil, turning abstract environmental issues into actionable community projects and fostering cultural value for soil as a commons. Regenerative Transitions: Engaging youth and educators in solution-oriented thinking supports the broader movement toward regenerative societal models and landscapes, nurturing future leaders in the transition to sustainable land use and soil care.
Which EU Soil Mission goal(s) does your challenge contribute to?
Prevent erosion
Reduce soil sealing / reuse urban soils
Reduce soil pollution / enhance restoration
Conserve soil organic carbon
Reduce desertification
Enhance soil biodiversity
Reduce EU global soil footprint
Challenge typology
Seeds (small, replicable initiatives)
Expected outputs / actions
Awareness-raising / communications
Creative or cultural events
Capacity-building (training, guides, mentorship)
Participatory processes
Who is involved or affected by the challenge?
Primary and secondary educators; Students (target ages: 6–18); School administrators; Parents and local community members; Environmental NGOs and grassroots soil advocates.
Where is your challenge located?
The initiative begins in Valencia, Spain, with a strong online accessibility including resources designed for scalability across other European contexts.
Which SoilTribes pillar(s) are you connected to?
Academia, Education & Research
Civil Society
What public policies or institutional frameworks does your challenge engage with or seek to change?
National and local education standards (embedding eco-literacy and soil content in core curricula); EU Soil Strategy for 2030 (contributing to knowledge targets for youth and civil society); School environmental and sustainability policies.
How do you imagine the Bootcamp will benefit your initiative — and others?
Participating in the Bootcamp will provide me access to mentorship and collaboration with experts from civil society, academia, and policy sectors—crucial for refining and scaling the program. It offers a platform for resource co-creation, testing new methods, and forging alliances with organizations seeking similar educational impacts. Outcomes and models could then be adapted across diverse regions, inspiring a larger movement toward soil literacy and stewardship in schools.