Soil: The quiet revolution

Beneath our feet lies a vast microbial universe essential to climate stability, biodiversity, and global food security. As soils deteriorate worldwide, understanding and harnessing microbial ecosystems is becoming critical. Heligan Gardens and the Soil Stars have brought together pioneers in soil and microbiome science to examine how microbial technologies can regenerate degraded landscapes and store carbon. It will examine how this can inform policy and build collaborative networks to turn research into environmental action.

Facilitated by Sir Tim Smit, speakers include:

The Edge - the guitarist of U2 and long-standing environmental advocate, championing the role of healthy soils in restoring ecosystems with Soil Stars.

Jo Handelsman - internationally respected microbiologist, served as a science advisor to President Barack Obama.

Jack Gilbert - globally influential microbiome researcher whose work has defined modern thinking on microbial ecosystems.

Sir Tim Smit – founder of the Lost Gardens of Heligan and co-founder of the Eden Project; champion of Natural History.