Rx for a Chaotic Climate: Healthy Soils with Dr. Laurie Osher

On March 28, 2023, Dr. Laurie Osher presented “Rx for a Chaotic Climate: Healthy Soils” as the third installment in the winter Belfast Garden Club Evening Lecture Series, co-sponsored by All of Belfast Climate Dialogues, focusing on the effects of the Climate Crisis on local environments.

Watch the Zoom recording here.

In recent years, Mainers have noticed chaotic weather patterns caused by climate change. In this program, state representative and soil scientist Laurie Osher discussed the impact of climate change on our $3.6 billion agricultural industry, and described how land management practices can be improved to decrease that impact.

Osher’s rare combination of scientific research and public leadership made for a rich conversation. She discussed practices that preserve and enhance soil organic matter to increase sequestration of carbon in soils. She also outlined the bills she’s introduced and co-sponsored with the aim of improving land management. Osher spoke about helping communities in Penobscot, Piscataquis and Aroostook counties obtain funding from the state so they can become more resilient to climate changes.

A former University of Maine faculty member, Osher has worked at the EPA’s Natural Exposure Research Lab in Athens, Georgia and several other federal agencies. She has represented Orono in the Maine legislature since 2020 and served as an Orono Town Councilor from 2017 to 2022.