What Is Organic Land Care?

Organic Land Care is a holistic approach to the design, installation and maintenance of environmental spaces.

Organic Land Care works with nature to achieve beautiful and resilient landscapes that are not dependent on synthetic materials or harmful cultural practices. This standard, used by professionals since it was articulated in 2003 by the Society for Organic Urban Land Care (SOUL), supports environmental health rather than merely treat symptoms of environmental distress. 

We are in a climate emergency: 2023 was the hottest year Earth has seen in 125,000 years and Canada's wildfire season was the most destructive ever recorded. Solutions to the climate crisis will be multi-faceted and diverse, while rooted in the fundamental principles of ecology. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization has called for a global response by enhancing soil organic carbon: "Soil management could make or break climate change response efforts."

Organic Land Care supports robust ecosystems by improving soil health, absorbing potential floodwaters and enhancing biodiversity. Sites cared for with organic practices are better able to withstand the shocks of extreme climate events. 

You can help by using Organic Land Care principles when working with the land. Ecosystems everywhere are under threat and all supportive action helps. Share your results with your community and inspire more people to join us.

Gaia College is a world leader in Organic Land Care education, transforming land stewardship and horticultural practices since 2003. Our courses integrate essential knowledge of ecology and organic practices to build a solid foundation for yourself, for others and for the planet as a whole.