Soil health practices for mitigating disasters

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that more than 25 million Americans – almost 8 percent of the population – were affected by major disasters in 2017. From severe flooding in Puerto Rico and Texas to mudslides and wildfires in California, major natural disasters in 2017 cost more than $306 billion nationally. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information, this is a new annual record. While we cannot prevent natural disasters, we do have the power to prepare for and potentially reduce their impacts through advanced planning. And land managers can play an integral role in preparing the soil. Read more…