The Urban Soil Guide: A Field and Lab Manual

Delve into the fascinating world of soil science with ＂The Urban Soil Guide,＂ a comprehensive manual designed for everyone from science beginners to seasoned horticulturists. Whether you’re an introductory science student, a passionate gardener, a landscape designer, or a professional horticulturist, this guide is tailored for you. Packed with a variety of hands-on activities, this guide makes learning soil science both accessible and enjoyable. From simple experiments that can be performed in your kitchen to more advanced techniques, it offers a practical approach to understanding soil. Written by a soil scientist, this guide bridges the gap between professional knowledge and amateur enthusiasm. The Urban Soil Guide is versatile enough to serve as a textbook in botanical gardens and university classes, while also being an invaluable resource for amateurs. Choose activities that match your interest and level of expertise. Embark on your journey to becoming a soil expert with The Urban Soil Guide - your hands-on companion in the world of soil science.

Dr. Anna Paltseva is an international urban soil scientist. She received her Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from The Graduate Center, City University of New York, in 2019. She is now an endowed assistant professor in Environmental Sciences at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (ULL) School of Geosciences. Anna’s expertise is in urban soil contamination and remediation of urban gardens. Her mission is to educate communities about the critical importance of soil health for growing nutritious food, supporting healthy ecosystems, and most importantly, protecting children from exposure to harmful heavy metals. Dr. Paltseva specializes in identifying and mitigating contamination in urban soils, assessing potential health risks, and developing sustainable practices for urban agriculture. Since 2014, I have taught a wide range of students at multiple institutions, including New York University, Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, the renowned New York Botanical Garden, and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. Dr. Paltseva has authored and co-authored over thirty manuscripts and book chapters, with more on the way and presented her work in Spain, Italy, Brazil, Mexico, China, Russia, and Germany. Dr. Paltseva served as the Chair for the Urban and Anthropogenic Soils Division at the Soil Science Society of America (2022-2023). She received the esteemed 2023 Soil Science Education and Extension Award from the Soil Science Society of America.