We are on a mission to make soil, and the soil scientists who study them, household names.
The film
Soil is both the literal and metaphorical skin of the Earth. It is the thin layer where rock and life intersect to form the basis of our existence. Without soils to support agriculture, humanity as we know it would not exist. The critical role of soils in agriculture cannot be overstated, but soils are more than just the sum of the services they provide us. Soils underlie every single ecosystem we experience, rely on, and admire. Soils are the foundation of the world’s ecology. Soils support the vast terrestrial biodiversity on the planet, both above- and belowground.
Soil scientists have long wondered why soils, the literal and physical foundation of outdoor recreation, are not a bigger part of the conversations about preserving wilderness, public lands, and threatened landscapes. Soils are often overlooked in public discussions of preserving our natural habitats. Yet, when we conserve soils, we protect the integrity of our outdoor playgrounds. While many outdoor enthusiasts are fervent environmentalists, natural historians, and advocates for the conservation of natural ecosystems, the role of soils in shaping landscapes is, more often than not, far from the conversation.
Soil scientists have long wondered why soils, the literal and physical foundation of outdoor recreation, are not a bigger part of the conversations about preserving wilderness, public lands, and threatened landscapes. Soils are often overlooked in public discussions of preserving our natural habitats. Yet, when we conserve soils, we protect the integrity of our outdoor playgrounds. While many outdoor enthusiasts are fervent environmentalists, natural historians, and advocates for the conservation of natural ecosystems, the role of soils in shaping landscapes is, more often than not, far from the conversation.
The value of soil is greater than what we take from the earth.
It is the aggregation of the inherent complexity, beauty, and diversity of soils.
It is the aggregation of the inherent complexity, beauty, and diversity of soils.
Will Run for Soil tells the story of soil through the lens of the people who study it. The documentary follows Karen Vaughan (a pedologist) Yamina Pressler (a soil ecologist), and Lydia Jennings (a soil microbiologist), as they explore soils while running through the sweeping wilderness of the desert southwest. Far from professional ultrarunners, Karen, Yamina, and Lydia challenge themselves to run their longest distance ever in an effort to expand our collective notion of why we should care about soils. In the process, they confront ideas about what a scientist looks like, what it means to be a soil scientist, and what the human body is capable of accomplishing for the love of soil.
How far are they willing to go to protect Earth’s most precious natural resource?
Will Run For Soil approaches soil science communication from a fundamentally different perspective than has been done in the past. Traditionally, public portrayals of soils bombard audiences with long lists of the services that soils provide and a concomitant call to conserve them simply because of their utilitarian value. Such arguments are often framed around agriculture with the long held idea that everyone eats and therefore everyone must have a connection to agriculture. The idea that agriculture is the great connector of humanity is central to how most of us approach our conversations about soil.
This traditional approach, however, skips the first step of science communication - enchantment, wonder, and curiosity. Will Run For Soil extends the public view of soils beyond just its role as a medium for plant growth in agricultural settings. The film aims to spark curiosity and a visceral connection to soils in our audience. Along the way, Karen, Yamina, and Lydia share the story of the soils that form the landscapes they run through and reflect on the intrinsic value and beauty of soils. Their journey will be woven between conversations with other soil scientists who have made positive impacts on their careers asking the central question, what is the intrinsic value of soils? The film profiles the soil science community to highlight the essential humanity and liveliness of our unique discipline.
This traditional approach, however, skips the first step of science communication - enchantment, wonder, and curiosity. Will Run For Soil extends the public view of soils beyond just its role as a medium for plant growth in agricultural settings. The film aims to spark curiosity and a visceral connection to soils in our audience. Along the way, Karen, Yamina, and Lydia share the story of the soils that form the landscapes they run through and reflect on the intrinsic value and beauty of soils. Their journey will be woven between conversations with other soil scientists who have made positive impacts on their careers asking the central question, what is the intrinsic value of soils? The film profiles the soil science community to highlight the essential humanity and liveliness of our unique discipline.
Will Run For Soil is more than just a documentary. The film is the first step in a movement to change the way that we talk about soils.
