Restoring Soil with Compost: Lessons from the LA Wildfires & More

Hosted by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, this webinar will introduce the post-fire soil contaminants of concern, the basics of microscopy to assess soil health, how to interpret soil test results, and the role of compost in bioremediation.

Learn more about this webinar on our website.

Has your community been affected by wildfires or some other source of pollution? Are you concerned about contaminants in your compost or soil? Are you interested in learning how to monitor your compost or soil yourself?

In this webinar, Lynn Fang, Founder of SoilWise and Soil & Compost Specialist with LA Compost, will introduce the contaminants of concern in soil and compost after an urban wildfire, the role of microscopy in assessing soil health, and how compost can support soil bioremediation. Lynn will share about soil test results and bioremediation projects in Altadena done through SoilWise, and will also touch on findings from the recently published Post-Fire Contamination Toolkit, which analyzed soil and compost samples at several LA Compost sites affected by the Eaton Fire in Altadena. She will also share about principles of bioremediation using compost and other ecological tools.

If you’re a compost or soil steward, involved in an existing composting initiative, or interested in supporting composting in your community – whether you are a composter, regulator, policymaker, local business, urban or rural farmer, environmentalist, or public interest advocate – this webinar is for you.

Presenter: Lynn Fang, MS – Founder, SoilWise / Soil & Compost Specialist, LA Compost (CA)

Lynn has over 10 years of experience in ecological landscape design, soil science, community composting, and regenerative farming. She centers on soil health as the foundation of thriving and abundant gardens teaches a Microbial Assessment Certificate course. Her teaching and community work include partnerships with LA Compost, the 131° School of Composting, Integrative Development Initiative, CalRecycle Community Composting for Green Spaces, Cal Poly Pomona, and Pitzer College.

Lynn is certified as a California Native Plant Landscaper, Permaculture Designer, and Compost Facility Operator.

This live Zoom webinar will take place on August 14, 2025 from 12 - 1:30 p.m. ET. A recording will be made available to registrants.

Registration is $20. Free registration is available for government, farmers, K-12 schools, and Community Composter Coalition members. Government should use the discount code "GOV", Farmers should use "FARMER", K-12 educators and schools should use "EDU", and CCC members should use "CCC" at checkout for free registration.

If you're a community composter and would like to apply to be a part of the coalition, visit https://ilsr.org/composting/community-composter-coalition to learn more.