Associations Today

Campaign Goal: $124,000

There’s a quote by poet, writer and farmer Wendell Berry that states “the Earth is what we all have in common.” The air we breathe, the water we drink, even the ground we stand on is part of one collective ecosystem. We can’t separate ourselves from our neighbors when it comes to the earth we all collectively share.

No matter how much individual thought engulfs our everyday life, the best way to invest in the world we live in, is to invest in the soil we stand on. A better America isn’t about the laws we create or uphold, it’s foundation. It’s the land we stand on that will make America as great as it can be.

To invest and believe in America means to invest in the ground beneath all of us. Local communities can pave the way to cleaner air, circularity, and soil restoration through energy renewal and sustainability. One simple way to make your community healthier and more environmentally friendly is having open spaces within the city and community. This is land that is not intensively developed for residential, commercial, industrial or institutional use. These spaces come with increased benefits.

1. Improved air quality: Plants in open spaces absorb carbon dioxide and other pollutants, releasing oxygen into the atmosphere. This helps to reduce air pollution and improve air quality, leading to better health outcomes for residents.
2. Increased biodiversity: Open spaces provide habitats for a variety of plants and animals, increasing biodiversity in urban areas. This can help to create healthier ecosystems and support local food webs.
3. Enhanced mental health: Access to green spaces has been shown to improve mental health outcomes, including reducing stress and anxiety and improving mood. This can lead to overall improved well-being for urban residents.
4. Greater physical activity: Open spaces provide opportunities for physical activity, such as walking, running, and biking. This can help to promote healthy lifestyles and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity and heart disease.
5. Improved soil quality: Healthy soil can support plant growth and biodiversity, leading to a healthier ecosystem. It can also help to prevent soil erosion and reduce the risk of flooding in urban areas.

These spaces within communities can be parks, community gardens, fields, and much more. Not only are they beautiful to enjoy but a foundational part of soil rejuvenation. It is important to take steps to protect and restore soil health, such as adopting sustainable agricultural practices, reducing land use changes, and promoting soil conservation and restoration efforts.

Ecotone Renewables empowers communities to achieve sustainability through innovation and climate-smart practices. We exist to support urban agriculture in new ways, as well as improve the earth’s long-term soil health on a path to a healthier environment. Founded in Pittsburgh PA, Ecotone Renewables is scaling anaerobic digestion technology to sustainably process food waste and replenish degraded, nutrient deficient soil.

You can take action with an investment in Ecotone Renewables to support their mission on the path to more sustainable communities. To learn more about the campaign, launched February 28th, 2023 visit their campaign website for details.