By Jeanette E. Warnert, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

The ecosystem services of landscapes in California are essential to the state’s future, but many people take them for granted.

In addition to direct economic outputs, working landscapes – farms, rangelands, forests and fisheries, to name a few – sequester carbon, capture water, support wildlife, offer picturesque views and make space for hiking, skiing, boating and other recreational activities.

“We need to put a value to ecosystem services, from an economic standpoint, that incentivizes people who own and manage these landscapes so they can continue to manage them for everyone’s benefit,” said Stephanie Larson, UC Cooperative Extension rangeland advisor in Sonoma County.

When ecosystem services have been monetized, proper compensation can be calculated, ensuring benefits like clean water, fresh air and a livable climate are protected for future generations.

In November, UC Agriculture and Natural Resources released a report at the California Economic Summit in Fresno on the value of California’s working landscapes. The report determined the state’s working landscapes generate $333 billion in annual sales and 1.5 million jobs. That number does not include ecosystem services.

“The value of ecosystem services is probably higher than the $333 billion direct economic contribution of working landscapes outlined in the report,” said Glenda Humiston, University of California vice president for agriculture and natural resources. Humiston is chair of the economic summit’s working landscape task force. “The problem is, when we don’t have that quantified, it’s hard to make investments to make sure those ecosystem services are maintained.”

Humiston said that, in time, systems can be developed for the public to support the ecosystem services they enjoy.

“You might have a small surcharge on binoculars,” she said. “That money could be used to protect bird habitat so birders can go somewhere to see birds. Water districts might assess a surcharge on your water bill to pay for the forested watersheds where they are getting your water. There are many different mechanisms to do this. We’re trying to figure out what would be the best mechanism.”

During the summit, a team of researchers, policymakers and industry professionals launched a new phase of work to calculate with scientific accuracy the value of ecosystem services. Larson is a member of the leadership team, along with executive director of the Central Valley Partnership Dan O’Connell and Sequoia Riverlands Trust director of pubic planning and policy Adam Livingston.

The team is working with partners to secure funding and technical support to integrate data sets already available from the Council of Governments’ Rural-Urban Connections Strategy into an open source, statewide system for mapping ecosystem services.

Once the tool is established, the team will be ready to pilot test it in four areas of California that provide ecosystem services.

“I love this concept,” said Kenny Spain, economic development specialist with the Headwaters Fund in Humboldt County and a member of the task force. “It’s a valuable tool.”

Link to item on UCANR Green Blog

World Soil Day (today, Dec 5) was designated by the International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) to recognize the importance of soil as a critical component of the natural system, and as a vital contributor to human life through its connection to food, water, and energy security.

The designation was formally endorsed in 2013 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. World Soil Day is an opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of sustaining healthy ecosystems and human well-being by addressing the increasing challenges in soil management and, raising the profile of healthy soil by encouraging governments, organizations, communities and individuals around the world to engage in proactively improving soil health.

CDFA and its partners inside and outside of government have aligned with this through a series of events this week promoting soil health. Today, the California Compost Coalition, CalCAN, and the Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF) will facilitate a tour of a local compost facility and farms employing healthy soils practices.

Fresno-area farmer Marvin Meyers, who served on the California State Board of Food and Agriculture during the administrations of governors Gray Davis, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jerry Brown, has passed away at age 85.

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross: “Marvin Meyers was a generous visionary and truly one of a kind. It was a privilege to work with him on the State Board of Food and Agriculture.  May he Rest In Peace.” 

Healthy soils mean more food, including notable increases in yields for farmers using soil management practices, according to USDA case studies. That’s critical as agriculture looks to feed an expected world population of more than 9 billion by 2050! www.cdfa.ca.gov/healthysoilsweek #HSW2019

CDFA has introduced a webpage to promote Healthy Soils Week, starting today and extending through Friday, December 6. CDFA has joined with several partner agencies and non-governmental organizations to promote awareness about the importance of soil health to fight climate change, enhance food security, and conserve California’s natural resources.

The website provides details about the following daily events:

• Today, Monday, Dec. 2: Ribbon cutting at 11 am to unveil large display panels at the State Capitol near the Governor’s Office.
• Tuesday, Dec. 3: A legislative briefing plus an informational session with the State Board of Food and Agriculture.
• Wednesday, Dec. 4: A regional workshop, “Building our Food Resilient System,” in Santa Barbara. Also, CalRecycle will deliver fruit grown in a composted grove to state legislators.
• Thursday, Dec. 5: World Soil Day as well as a tour for legislative staff and partner agencies that will include farms that employ healthy soils practices and a local compost facility.
• Friday, Dec. 6: An event, “Rebuilding Urban Soil with Three Sisters Gardens” in West Sacramento.

Healthy soil is quite literally the foundation of sustainable food, water, air and biodiversity. Restoring and preserving healthy soil results in:

• Improved plant health and yields
• Increased water infiltration and retention
• Sequestered carbon and reduced greenhouse gases (GHGs)
• Reduced sediment erosion and dust
• Improved water and air quality
• Improved biological diversity and wildlife habitat

Hashtags for Healthy Soils Week: #HSW2019 and #HealthySoilsWeek2019