Friday & Saturday, Nov 21 & 22

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9 am - 5:30 pm

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4 West 43rd St. in NYC

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Friday & Saturday, Nov 21 & 22 〰️ 9 am - 5:30 pm 〰️ 4 West 43rd St. in NYC 〰️

Celebrating the 10th Annual Urban Soils Symposium

Looking into the broken part of our infrastructure’s metabolism; the waste stream, we seek out the unrealized, lost, and discovered values and opportunities for metabolism repair.

We invite you to showcase, challenge, reimagine, and co-create solutions that Recycle, Remediate, and Reclaim the waste stream to repair urban, suburban, and industrial metabolisms, regain equal access to common resources, and restore our healthy soils that build healthy and resilient communities. 

Across 10 years of bringing soils to the people and people to the soils in the pursuit of healthy, thriving cities, the symposium has served as a hub for the exchange of knowledge, resources, technology, stories, and experiences. 

With soils as our common denominator, this is where people come together from all sectors, disciplines, and backgrounds for collaboration, innovation, and growing our capacities within a holistic understanding of soils to better our livelihoods, development, wellness and health of us and our planet.

Join us and be part of a vibrant ecosystem driving innovation, knowledge sharing, and creating change.

Who should join? Everyone interested in or working with soils.  This is a platform for diverse voices and participants. 

Register

Friday, November 21 & Saturday, November 22
9 am - 5:30 pm

4W43 Building
4 West 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036

Lunch, Coffee & Tea, and Friday Happy Hour included (breakfast on your own)

 

Run of Show

  • 9:00:  Check-In
    9:30:  Opening

    9:45 - 12:30: Session 1: wastED opportunities in Recycling

    Decentralized Composting in NYC Panel Discussion

    Lia Lucero (Community Engagement Manager; Lower East Side Ecology Center), Domingo Morales (Compost Consultant, Founder & CEO; Compost Power), Nando Rodriguez (Senior Manager for Environmental Programming; The Brotherhood Sister Sol), Ashera Schwartz (Grants and Outreach Coordinator & Microhauler; BK ROT), Dior St. Hillaire (Worker-Owner; GreenFeen OrganiX; Director of Strategic Partnerships; BK ROT), Daniel Wendlek (Product Development and Organics Recovery; Big Reuse), Abigail Schoneboom (Moderator; Newcastle University)

    The NYC 2026 Solid Waste Management Plan

    Kate Kitchener, Director; Resource Recovery, Solid Waste Management, NYC Department of Sanitation, presentation title

    Dead Hedge, Living Ledge
    Grayson Bo Guthrie, Educator, Landscape Designer, Floral Farmer; Founder, Alchemist Flowers

    12:10: Exhibit Presentations

    Leaves of Grass: Spontaneous Rewilding & Radical Reclamation of the Urban Scape

    Constance Maleszynska, Sustainability Cultivator; Bramble NYC

    The 4th R: Relationship
    Gisela Sanders Alcántara
    , 13 times NY-Emmy winner, media creator, educator, disability activist, Senior Producer/Editor; CUNY TV

    Community-Powered Soil Remediation using Plants and Fungi, an Introduction
    Natalie Soleil, Urban Sustainability Advocate, Founder; Tasting Awareness

    Interactive Exhibition
    (See final tab for contributors)

    Urban Soils Institute Table

    12:30:  LUNCH

    1:20 - 4:30:‍ ‍Session 2: wastED opportunities in reclamation & remediation

    1:20: Exhibit Presentations

    Young as the Worms, Old as the Soil
    Vasudev Vashisht, Visual Artist, Photographer

    Hyperscaling Soils and the Deep Time of Intelligence
    Dominika Ksel, Interdisciplinary Artist, Founder; Buena Onda Art Collective; Assistant Professor; Baruch College

    Cookbook for When the Sun Goes Out
    Elizabeth Demaray, Sculptor, Professor; Rutgers University

    Soil Culture: Hidden Architectures of Waste and Invisible Futures
    Maria Patricia Tinajero, PhD (Visual Thinker, Artist, Philosopher of Soil); Julie Poitras Santos (Artist, Writer, Curator, Director of Exhibitions; Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA&D)

    2:05: Session Presentations

    LAMP PCR based Bio Sensor for Heavy Metal Detection
    Karolina Sulich, Researcher, Adjunct Professor; NYU Tandon School of Engineering

    The Clean Soil Bank – Successes and Pragmatic Challenges
    Zach Schreiber, PhD; Assistant Director; Office of Environmental Remediation, Mayor’s Office City of New York

    Redefining Urban Soils
    Brendan Hannon, PhD, Deputy Director of Strategy and Long Term Planning; NYC Environmental Protection, Office of Energy and Resource Recovery Programs

    (Title TBA)
    Elizabeth Hénaff, PhD, Computational Biologist; Assistant Professor, Technology, Culture and Society Dept., NYU Tandon School of Engineering

    Interactive Exhibition
    (See final tab for contributors)

    Urban Soils Institute Table

    4:45: Exhibits and Poster session

    5:00:  Closing ceremony and Happy Hour

  • 9:00:  Check-In
    9:30:  Opening

    10:00 - 12:30: Session 3: wastED opportunities in reclaiming soil and food sovereignty

    Laying the Groundwork: Supporting Urban Ag Growth through ACCD's Urban Soils Program

    Hayley Hoch, Community Agriculture and Soils Program Manager; Allegheny County Conservation District

    From Your Kitchens – Through Our Hands – Into The Earth – Onto Your Plates
    Marion Yuen (Green Infrastructure Professional; President, The MYA Group), Samuel Pressman (Holistic Landscape Designer, Builder, Educator; Founder, Samuel's Food Gardens), Winson Wong (Entrepreneur, Co-Founder & CEO; Afterlife Ag)

    Reclaiming Urban Soils: Linking Food Security and Urine Recycling through Bionutrient Sovereignty
    Marisa Manheim, PhD (Assistant Professor; Department of Environment & Sustainability, University of Buffalo); Katie Pfohl (Soil Enthusiast, Farm Manager; Massachusetts Avenue Project Buffalo); Tatiana Schreiber (Soil Research Director; The Rich Earth Institute)

    Generating system sustainability through RE: Claiming, Mediating, Cycling
    Brian Fath, PhD, Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University

    12:10: Exhibit Presentations

    Tides of Green: Reclaiming Medians as Living Infrastructure
    Camila A. Morales (Artist, Designer, Educator; Co-Founder & Director, Valé), Corinne Sommer (Construction Management Consultant (Sustainability and Renewable Energy); Re:Build Designs LLC)

    PenLee Farm Art Yard: PFLAY:  + Flatbush, BK
    Sarah Olson, Painter, Performance Artist

    The life-force of dirt
    Marina 'heron' Tsaplina (EcoPuppetry Artist, Writer, Disability Culture Activist); Isabelle Groenewegen (Urbanist, Project Manager; Care Lab at Parsons School of Design, the New School)

    Interactive Exhibition
    (See final tab for a full list)

    Urban Soils Institute Table

    12:30: LUNCH

    1:20 - 4:45:‍ Session 4: wasteD opportunities in reuse, rescue, and upcycling

    1:20: Exhibit Presentations

    The DIRT Project
    Emilie Houssart, Artist, Curator, Sustainability Faculty Fellow; SUNY New Paltz

    Entangling; Socio-ecological praxis for environmental justice (through the lens of soil)
    Isabelle Groenewegen, Urbanist, Project Manager; Care Lab at Parsons School of Design, the New School

    Interactive Exhibition
    (See final tab for a full list)

    Urban Soils Institute Table

    2:05: Session Presentations

    Microbial activity and CO2 emission from young Arctics Technosols: effect of material type
    Maria Korneykova, PhD,Soil Scientist, Researcher; SUNLAB, People’s Friendship University (RUDN)

    University Campuses as Living Labs to study Carbon Stocks and Fluxes in Urban Green Infrastructure
    Slava Vasenev, PhD, Assistant Professor of Soil Geography; Wageningen University

    Waste Materials in New York City Soils: Pedogenesis in a Concrete Jungle
    Richard Shaw, PhD
    (State Soil Scientist (ret.), USDA-NRCS); Elizabeth Phillips (Environmental Science Undergraduate Student; Brooklyn College); Zoey Russo (Environmental Science Undergraduate Student; Brooklyn College)

    Earthen Materials in Construction: An Urban Metabolism Approach
    Lola Ben-Alon, PhD, Assistant Professor, Director; Natural Materials Lab, Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP)

    4:45:‍ ‍Exhibits and Poster session

    5:00:  Closing ceremony and Happy Hour

  • compost collage (working title)
    Elena Tinschert, Volunteer Program Manager, NYC Compost Network at Big Reuse

    Composters
    Zachary Tan Strein, Composter, Environmental Science Undergraduate Student; Brooklyn College

    Cookbook for When the Sun Goes Out
    Elizabeth Demaray, Sculptor, Professor; Rutgers University

    Corpo-graphy
    Sara Hodaie, Artist, Writer, Farmer, Gallery Assistant; BioBat Art Space

    Entangling; Socio-ecological praxis for environmental justice (through the lens of soil)
    Isabelle Groenewegen, Urbanist, Project Manager; Care Lab at Parsons School of Design, the New School

    Hyperscaling Soils and the Deep Time of Intelligence
    Dominika Ksel, Interdisciplinary Artist, Founder; Buena Onda Art Collective; Assistant Professor; Baruch College

    Leaves of Grass: Spontaneous Rewilding & Radical Reclamation of the Urban Scape
    Constance Maleszynska, Sustainability Cultivator; Bramble NYC

    PenLee Farm Art Yard: PFLAY: + Flatbush, BK
    Sarah Olson, Painter, Performance Artist

    Soil Culture: Hidden Architectures of Waste and Invisible Futures
    Maria Patricia Tinajero, PhD (Visual Thinker, Artist, Philosopher of Soil); Julie Poitras Santos (Artist, Writer, Curator, Director of Exhibitions; Institute of Contemporary Art at MECA&D)

    Soil stories
    Noelani Kidder, Filmmaker, Director; Lotte Productions

    Soil Story (Film)
    Olivia Acuña (Filmmaker); Kiana Fernandez (Interdisciplinary Artist, Art Director & Content Creator; Wieden+Kennedy NY); Laura Alvear Roa (Independent Researcher, Multidisciplinary Artist, Associate; Culture and Animals Foundation); Shakti Mb (Filmmaker, Founder; Two Shiny Coins)

    The 4th R: Relationship
    Gisela Sanders Alcántara, 13 times NY-Emmy winner, media creator, educator, disability activist, Senior Producer/Editor; CUNY TV

    The DIRT Project
    Emilie Houssart, Artist, Curator, Sustainability Faculty Fellow; SUNY New Paltz

    The life-force of dirt
    Marina 'heron' Tsaplina (EcoPuppetry Artist, Writer, Disability Culture Activist); Isabelle Groenewegen (Urbanist, Project Manager; Care Lab at Parsons School of Design, the New School)

    Tides of Green: Reclaiming Medians as Living Infrastructure
    Camila A. Morales (Artist, Designer, Educator; Co-Founder & Director, Valé), Corinne Sommer (Construction Management Consultant (Sustainability and Renewable Energy); Re:Build Designs LLC)

    Urban Soils Institute Table
    George Lozefski, Director of Education & Field Investigations, Urban Soils Institute 

    Young as the Worms, Old as the Soil
    Vasudev Vashisht, Visual Artist, Photographer


Note: This agenda will continue to be updated over the coming days!

Downloadable Agenda

Contributors

  • Elizabeth Demaray

    Sculptor, Professor; Rutgers University

    Cookbook for When the Sun Goes Out (Exhibit with presentation; Friday)

    Portfolio

  • Grayson Bo Guthrie

    Educator, Landscape Designer, Floral Farmer; Founder, Alchemist Flowers

    Dead Hedge, Living Ledge (Presentation; Friday)

    Portfolio

  • Brendan Hannon

    Deputy Director of Strategy and Long Term Planning; NYC Environmental Protection, Office of Energy and Resource Recovery Programs

    Redefining Urban Soils
    (Presentation; Friday)

  • Elizabeth Hénaff, PhD

    Computational Biologist; Assistant Professor, Technology, Culture and Society Dept., NYU Tandon School of Engineering

    (Presentation; Friday)

  • Noelani Kidder

    Filmmaker, Director; Lotte Productions

    Soil stories (Exhibit; Friday)

  • Kate Kitchener

    Director; Resource Recovery, Solid Waste Management, NYC Department of Sanitation

    The NYC 2026 Solid Waste Management Plan
    (Presentation; Friday)

  • Lia Lucero

    Community Engagement Manager; Lower East Side Ecology Center

    Decentralized Composting in NYC (Panel presentation; Friday)

  • Domingo Morales

    Compost Consultant, Founder & CEO; Compost Power

    Decentralized Composting in NYC (Panel presentation; Friday)

  • Devin Reitsma

    Director; NYC Community Compost Network, Big Reuse

    Decentralized Composting in NYC (Panel presentation; Friday)

  • Nando Rodriguez

    Senior Manager for Environmental Programming; The Brotherhood Sister Sol

    Decentralized Composting in NYC (Panel presentation; Friday)

  • Ashera Schwartz

    Grants and Outreach Coordinator & Microhauler; BK ROT

    Decentralized Composting in NYC (Panel presentation; Friday)

  • Dior St. Hillaire

    Worker-Owner; GreenFeen OrganiX; Director of Strategic Partnerships; BK ROT

    Decentralized Composting in NYC (Panel presentation; Friday)

  • Daniel Wendlek

    Product Development and Organics Recovery; Big Reuse

    Decentralized Composing in NYC (Panel presentation; Friday)

  • Constance Maleszynska

    Sustainability Cultivator; Bramble NYC

    Leaves of Grass: Spontaneous Rewilding & Radical Reclamation of the Urban Scape (Exhibit with presentation; Friday)

  • Sarah Olson

    Painter, Performance Artist

    PenLee Farm Art Yard: PFLAY:  + Flatbush, BK (Exhibit with presentation; Friday)

    Portfolio

  • Zach Schreiber, PhD

    Assistant Director; Office of Environmental Remediation, Mayor’s Office City of New York

    The Clean Soils Bank - Successes and Pragmatic Challenges
    (Presentation; Friday)

  • Natalie A. Soleil

    Urban Sustainability Advocate, Founder; Tasting Awareness

    Community-Powered Soil Remediation using Plants and Fungi, an Introduction
    (Exhibit with presentation; Friday)

  • Karolina Sulich

    Researcher, Adjunct Professor; NYU Tandon School of Engineering

    LAMP PCR based Bio Sensor for Heavy Metal detection (Presentation; Friday)


  • Vasudev Vashisht

    Visual Artist, Photographer

    Young as the Worms, Old as the Soil
    (Exhibit with presentation; Friday)

  • Gisela Sanders Alcántara

    13 times NY-Emmy winner, media creator, educator, disability activist, Senior Producer/Editor; CUNY TV

    The 4th R: Relationship (Exhibit with presentation)

    Portfolio

  • Sara Hodaie

    Artist, Writer, Farmer, Gallery Assistant; BioBat Art Space

    Corpo-graphy (Exhibit)

  • Corinne Sommer

    Construction Management Consultant (Sustainability and Renewable Energy); Re:Build Designs LLC

    (Presentation)

  • Camila A. Morales, Artist, Designer, Educator; Co-Founder, Valé

    Camila A. Morales

    Artist, Designer, Educator; Co-Founder & Director, Valé

    Tides of Green: Reclaiming Medians as Living Infrastructure (Exhibit with presentation)

    Portfolio

  • Zachary Tan Strein

    Composter, Environmental Science Undergraduate Student; Brooklyn College

    Composters (Exhibit)

  • Julie Poitras Santos

    Associate Professor and Chair; MFA in Studio Art at Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D) in Portland, Maine

    Soil Culture: Hidden Architectures of Waste and Invisible Futures (Exhibit with presentation)

    Portfolio

  • Maria Patricia Tinajero, PhD

    Independent Scholar and Socially Engaged Artist

    Soil Culture: Hidden Architectures of Waste and Invisible Futures (Exhibit with presentation)

    Portfolio

  • Dominika Ksel

    Interdisciplinary Artist, Co-Founder; Buena Onda Art Collective; Assistant Professor; Baruch College

    Hyperscaling Soils and the Deep Time of Intelligence (Exhibit with presentation)

    Portfolio

  • Elena Tinschert

    Volunteer Program Manager, NYC Compost Network at Big Reuse

    compost collage (working title) (Exhibit)

  • Marina 'heron' Tsaplina

    EcoPuppetry Artist, Writer, Disability Culture Activist

    The life-force of dirt (Exhibit with presentation)

    Portfolio

  • Isabelle Groenewegen

    Urbanist, Project Manager; Care Lab at Parsons School of Design, the New School

    Entangling; Socio-ecological praxis for environmental justice (through the lens of soil) (Exhibit with presentation; Saturday)

  • Olivia Acuña

    Filmmaker

    Soil Story (Exhibit; Saturday)

    Film Website

  • Kiana Fernandez

    Interdisciplinary Artist, Art Director & Content Creator; Wieden+Kennedy NY

    Soil Story (Exhibit; Saturday)

  • Laura Alvear Roa

    Independent Researcher, Multidisciplinary Artist, Associate; Culture and Animals Foundation

    Soil Story (Exhibit; Saturday)

  • Shakti Mb

    Filmmaker, Founder; Two Shiny Coins

    Soil Story (Exhibit; Saturday)

  • Lola Ben-Alon, PhD

    Assistant Professor, Director; Natural Materials Lab, Columbia University Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (GSAPP)

    Earthen Materials in Construction: An Urban Metabolism Approach (Presentation; Saturday)


  • Brian Fath, PhD

    Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, Towson University

    Generating system sustainability through RE: Claiming, Mediating, Cycling (Presentation; Saturday)

  • Hayly Hoch

    Community Agriculture and Soils Program Manager; Allegheny County Conservation District

    Laying the Groundwork: Supporting Urban Ag Growth through ACCD's Urban Soils Program (Presentation, Saturday)

  • Emilie Houssart

    Artist, Curator, Sustainability Faculty Fellow; SUNY New Paltz

    The DIRT Project (Exhibit with presentation; Saturday)

    Portfolio

  • Maria Korneykova, PhD

    Soil Scientist, Researcher; SUNLAB, People’s Friendship University (RUDN)

    Microbial activity and CO2 emission from young Arctics Technosols: effect of material type (Presentation; Saturday)

  • Marisa Manheim, PhD

    Assistant Professor; Department of Environment & Sustainability, University of Buffalo

    Reclaiming Urban Soils: Linking Food Security and Urine Recycling through Bionutrient Sovereignty (Presentation; Saturday)

  • Katie Pfohl

    Soil Enthusiast, Farm Manager; Massachusetts Avenue Project Buffalo

    Reclaiming Urban Soils: Linking Food Security and Urine Recycling through Bionutrient Sovereignty (Presentation; Saturday)

  • Tatiana Schreiber

    Soil Research Director; The Rich Earth Institute

    Reclaiming Urban Soils: Linking Food Security and Urine Recycling through Bionutrient Sovereignty (Presentation; Saturday)

  • Elizabeth Phillips

    Environmental Science Undergraduate Student; Brooklyn College

    Waste Materials in New York City Soils: Pedogenesis in a Concrete Jungle (Presentation; Saturday)

  • Zoey Russo

    Environmental Science Undergraduate Student; Brooklyn College

    Waste Materials in New York City Soils: Pedogenesis in a Concrete Jungle (Presentation; Saturday)

  • Richard Shaw, PhD, State Soil Scientist (ret.), USDA-NRCS

    Richard Shaw, PhD

    State Soil Scientist (ret.), USDA-NRCS

    Waste Materials in New York City Soils: Pedogenesis in a Concrete Jungle (Presentation; Saturday)

  • Viacheslav (Slava) Vasenev, PhD

    Assistant Professor of Soil Geography; Wageningen University

    University Campuses as Living Labs to study Carbon Stocks and Fluxes in Urban Green Infrastructure (Presentation; Saturday)

  • Samuel S. T. Pressman

    Holistic Landscape Designer, Builder, Educator; Founder, Samuel's Food Gardens

    From Your Tables – Through Our Hands – Back to Your Tables (Presentation; Saturday)

  • Winson Wong

    Entrepreneur, Co-Founder & CEO; Afterlife Ag

    From Your Tables – Through Our Hands – Back to Your Tables (Presentation; Saturday)

  • Marion Yuen

    Green Infrastructure Professional; President, The MYA Group

    From Your Tables – Through Our Hands – Back to Your Tables (Presentation; Saturday)

  • George Lozefski

    Director of Education & Field Investigations; NYC Urban Soils Institute 

    Moderator

  • Mark Maddaloni, DrPH

    Toxicologist; USEPA (Retired)

    Moderator

  • Diana McClure

    Artist, Writer, Cultural Producer; Diana McClure Studio

    Moderator

  • Tom Outerbridge

    President; Recycling, Circular Services

    Moderator

  • Daniel C. Walsh, PhD

    Founding Director; NYC Mayor's Office of Environmental Remediation;
    Founder; Clean Soil Bank, NYC Voluntary Cleanup Program and NYC Green Property Certification Program

    Moderator

Theme Sessions

Format & Features

Recycling

  • Upcycling

  • Returning to Nature’s cycles

  • Metabolism of Waste (specific to sector or system)

  • Nutrients Cycling

  • Life cycles (Animate/Inanimate)

  • Compost

  • Waste Regulations

Remediation

  • Industrial Approach to Remediation

  • Earth-Human Connection

  • Ecosystem Restoration

  • Policy & Regulations

  • Economics of Remediation

  • Energy Sector

  • Connections to Metabolism

Reclamation

  • Reclaiming-
    -soil
    -water
    -sovereignty
    -health
    -voices
    -rights
    -food
    -access
    -traditions

Our multi-modal format encourages participation, full engagement, and inquiry. As with previous years, participants representing a diverse group of local, national and international environmental practitioners of all levels and disciplines, are encouraged to co-develop ideas through: tabling, exhibits, installations, workshops, interactive presentations, roundtables, performances, demonstrations, posters, thematic sessions, networking sessions, raffles and more.

Lunch and Happy Hour will be provided in our centrally located venue in New York City.

Partnership Opportunities

Event
Tiers

Bronze: $2,000

Be our pollinator. Support collaborations and engagement through the Bronze partnership.

  • Corporate Logo on Sponsors Thank You slide during (1) conference day 

  • Logo in pre-conference communications (newsletter and email blasts)

  • Logo on Website Event Page

  • Exhibit table

WIFI: $3,000

Be our ionic bond. Help attendees “stay connected” by sponsoring the event’s WiFi network.

  • Logo on event website and LinkedIn banner

  • Acknowledgement with logo on event social media

  • Logo on any onsite communications related to WIFI code (i.e. tabletop tent card at registration desk, etc.)

Become a Sponsor!

Get recognized, Be visible, Reach a diverse audience, Build meaningful relationships,Gain insights, Grow your reputation.

Your sponsorship supports more than the event. By partnering, you invest in USI’s mission to create access to soils education, resources, tools, and technology that connects efforts across disciplines, sectors, and backgrounds in building thriving livelihoods with healthy soils. Joining us, you are part of a vibrant ecosystem for innovation and knowledge exchange. 

Silver: $4,000

Be our metabolic catalyst. Drive the energy of the symposium through our Silver Sponsorship package.

All benefits of Bronze tier, plus:

  • 2 complimentary 2-day conference admission

  • Special recognition in opening & closing addresses (both days)

  • Acknowledgement on social media posts related to the event

  • Exhibit Table (8’x4’)

  • Sponsor logo centerpiece at roundtables

  • Branded swag distribution

Breakfast/Lunch: $3,000/Day

Bring the good mood and energy to the symposium with a nutritious breakfast or satiating lunch. Enhance the output by sponsoring lunch for 1 or 2 days.

  • Special Recognition by MC before breakfast & lunch

  • Logo on Slide before breakfast/lunch

  • Recognition in digital program as Meal Sponsor

  • Logo on event website and social media

  • Option to display visual branding during sponsored mealtime

  • Opportunity to provide branded swag to attendees

Gold: $6,000

Be our star supporter and elevate your organization's visibility and influence as a premier supporter.

All benefits of Silver tier, plus:

  • Complimentary cocktail reception

  • Larger logos and Gold Sponsor recognition for all Silver-tier categories

  • Logo banners (provided by sponsor) in each room

  • Logo included in digital program

  • Street-facing logo banner in Midtown Manhattan

  • Acknowledged in all current and future USI events (3 months)

Networking Reception: $3,000

Be our indigenous microbe inoculant! Foster new and valuable connections among attendees by sponsoring our networking reception.

  • Special Recognition at end of Day 1 closing remarks

  • Exclusive branding throughout cocktail reception

  • Logo in pre-conference social media/comms

  • Logo on event website

  • Opportunity to provide sponsored branded cocktail napkins/coasters

  • Opportunity to provide branded swag to attendees

For more information and a la carte partnership options, check out the full partnership guide, below.
Please contact Tatiana Morin at Tatiana@urbansoils.org, 613-717-2201 for questions or to express partnership interest.

Full Partnership Guide

Platinum: $15,000

Be all the “hyphae!”. Be the connector, making it all happen.  

All benefits of the gold sponsorship, plus 

  • 5-minute keynote presentation during prime symposium slot

  • Logo on LinkedIn event banner

  • Logo on USI website front page for 6 months

  • Logo on all USI social media and public communications for 6 months

  • Exhibition table in Welcome Foyer (both days)

  • Logo included in USI’s YouTube video promo and recap of symposium

Exhibitor Table: $900

Exhibitor booths are located in the Vendor lobby shared with registration and other interactive exhibits. It is located in a high traffic zone between all room accesses. Dedicated sessions will provide extra visibility and audience interaction.

  • Showcase or demonstrate your organization’s products or services

  • Connect with event attendees from across the country

  • Each booth rental includes one 8’ x 3’ table with a tablecloth and two chairs.

Call For Proposals

The Call for Proposals is now closed!
Thank you to all who have submitted! We will announce successful proposals and a full list of presenters on October 20th!

This is a platform for diverse voices to share and exchange across disciplines and sectors, cultures, and backgrounds, with soils as a common denominator, our common language. We invite you to participate through this open call for: presentations, leading a workshop or a discussion, to table, host a demonstration, or offer an exhibit. We encourage participants to be creative in their format and style and especially encourage interactive formats.

Process: Proposals will be reviewed by our organizing committee. Acceptance of proposal is limited to several criteria, and we cannot guarantee that your proposal will be accepted for the live format during the symposium , however, if the content is accepted, there will be an opportunity to present your work on our website and or on our YouTube channel.

Format: One of the biggest limiting factors is time. We have a two-day symposium. Please consider being flexible with the date and the time element of your work. For presentation style formats, we prefer durations of maximum 12 min. We encourage discussions and interactive formats whose duration can be longer depending on the proposals and final schedule.

All work should be relevant to soils and the topics listed under wastED opportunities. 

Collaborators

Privacy & Data Statement: When you submit or present your work at an in-person event or virtual event, you agree to allow NYC Urban Soils Institute (USI), and NYC Soil & Water Conservation District to feature your video/presentation/submitted work on the USI website and/or USI YouTube channel and livestream your video/presentation/submitted work if presenting live, unless explicitly requested otherwise. Full authorship credits will be attributed to the presenter and any other entities associated with the creation of the video/presentation/submitted work at the presenter’s behest. Any copyrighted content, including images, audio content and quotes, featured in the video presentation/submitted work is not claimed as property of the NYC Urban Soils Institute, NYC Soil & Water Conservation District, or event collaborators. It is the author’s responsibility to properly source, provide credit, obtain permission for all necessary content featured in their work.

If you are presenting and/or participating in the discussions or workshops held or sponsored by the NYC Urban Soils Institute, NYC Soil & Water Conservation District, or collaborators, you consent to group photos. If you choose not to be included, please inform a staff member that you do not wish to be photographed, and in the case of virtual meetings, turn off your video and use a pseudonym for your Zoom profile.


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