Join us on City of Forest Day for Free Soil Testing at Earth Matters’ Compost Learning Center on Saturday, October 3rd from 12 noon - 4 pm.

Soils are one of our most important resources, but they can become contaminated as a result of industrial activity and legacy pollution. Common soil contaminants, such as lead or arsenic, can cause negative health effects to folks who work and play with soils, with young children at particular risk.

Finding soil contaminants requires special equipment – that’s where we come in! Our state-of-the-art handheld pXRF analyzer quickly screens soil samples for heavy metals content and we can let you know if remediation is recommended. Remediation involves covering contaminated soils with layers of clean soils, compost & mulch, and can be performed on your own.

Please Note: Due to high demand, we are switching to a group soil interpretation session, held twice between 1 - 1:30 pm and 3 - 3:30 pm. We will still test your samples when you drop them off, but if you want to learn more about urban soils and your particular sample, join a group soils interpretation session. Schedule below:

Soil Samples Drop Off: 12 - 12:30 pm
Soil Test Interpretations: 1 - 1:30 pm
Soil Samples Drop Off: 2 - 2:30 pm
Soil Test Interpretations: 3 - 3:30 pm

Walking Directions From Soissons Landing:

1. Walk along Andes Rd towards Colonels Row

2. Walk through Liggett Terrace towards West Way

3. Continue west along West Way until you see the soil testing area

Walking Directions from Yankee Pier:

1. Start along Division Road

2. Merge on to West Way and continue heading west until you see the soil testing area