Healthy Soils Action Plan

The Massachusetts Healthy Soils Action Plan (HSAP) is the nation’s first effort to understand, protect, and revitalize soil function in all land uses statewide. This Plan, commissioned by Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, reveals the tremendous impact land use and management has on the soils of the Commonwealth and sets forth strategies and actions to increase soil health as a way to improve food security, ecosystem function, and climate resilience across the region.

Through an 18-month process the consultant team, led by Regenerative Design Group, conducted a detailed literature review and geospatial analysis to understand the key factors and dynamics that shape soil health. This included the development of a novel method for quantifying soil organic carbon (SOC) based on land cover and drainage classification.

With guidance and review of a 40-member Working Group, representing state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, scientific advisors, and community stakeholders, RDG developed a series of evidence-based strategies and actions aimed at transforming the impact of soil management on climate from a negative to a positive.

The result is a roadmap for policymakers, land managers, and soil health advocates to understand the interconnected nature of the Commonwealth’s landscapes and the role they play in soil carbon sequestration and climate resilience.