Join the NYC Urban Soils Institute for a Free Soils Testing Workshop at SWALE House (Building 11) on Governors Island! Bring soil from your home or garden and we'll test it for heavy metals content. All ages are welcome! No registration needed - this is first come, first serve.
The Urban Soils Institute is proud to host this event as part of City of Forest Day!
Presented by Forest for All NYC in partnership with the Parks and Open Space Partners – NYC Coalition and NYC Parks, City of Forest Day is an annual day of activities across the city to raise awareness of the importance of the New York City urban forest, and the essential role New Yorkers play every day in caring for the “lungs” of our city.
To learn more about City of Forest Day and the Over 60 wonderful events happening all over nyc on Saturday, October 14, visit City of Forest Day – Forest for All NYC!
Instructions:
1. Gather a plastic bag with about a cup of soil from your yard or garden, surface to 4’’ depth works best. Please clearly identify the bag so you can find it. Maximum 3 samples per person
2. Bring your sample to our drop-off station at SWALE House (Building 11) on Governors Island (see map)
3. We will test your sample for heavy metals content within 10 minutes and have it waiting for you on the porch at the pick-up table. Sample drop-off deadline: 3:30 pm
Why Test Soil?
Great question! Soils are one of our most important resources, but they can easily become contaminated as a result of legacy industrial activity in urban settings. Common soil contaminants tend to be heavy metals such as lead or cadmium, which can cause negative health effects to folks who work and play with soil.
Fortunately, remediating soil contaminated with heavy metals can be easy, inexpensive and doesn’t require professional services. The tricky part is identifying heavy metal contamination, so we’ll help you with that! Our state-of-the-art handheld pXRF instrument quickly screens soil samples for heavy metals content, and lets you know whether remediation is recommended. Once your soil is tested, Urban Soils Institute’s (USI) experienced environmental scientists will advise you on next steps.
#CityOfForestDay2023
