ECHO Newsletter ISSUE #3

Cheers to another trip around the Sun!

In this issue, we bring you closer to the action. After months or careful planning and testing, the ECHO soil kit is ready for use in the field! If you’re eager to get your hands on it, keep an eye on our project in the coming months.

2025 is the year of new challenges. For us at ECHO, it means strengthening our bonds with citizen scientists and reaching our goal of collecting 16500 soil samples all around Europe. How’s that for a New Year’s resolution?

Our search for ECHO Ambassadors has been very fruitful so far, but we're not done yet!

Thank you to everyone who decided to get in touch in 2024. This year, we have a lot more in store for you. Beginning in January 2025, ECHO Ambassadors will assist in distributing soil sampling toolkits, known as ECHO kits, in their regions. They will also join ECHO in local citizen science initiatives aimed at motivating participants to analyze various soil types and will help with data collection and analysis. Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and get digging?

OPEN CALL

We're on a mission!

Mission Soil Week is an initiative aimed at raising awareness about the importance of soil health and sustainable land use practices. Though every region or organization has its own way of approaching this subject, Mission Soil Week revolves around educating the public, policymakers, and farmers about the critical role that soil plays in supporting ecosystems, food production, and climate regulation. Of course, we couldn't miss it! As a project involving citizen scientists, we took part in the Communication Cluster and talked about the importance of sharing knowledge and motivating others through art.

MISSION SOIL WEEK

16500 samples, one at a time!

Are you eager to grab a green trowel and help us achieve our goal? Even if you've never taken a soil sample before, our kit is designed to turn you into a budding citizen scientist. We're eager to see your reactions and hear your feedback, so make sure to post your kit on social media with...

#ECHOSOILKIT

Lights, camera, trowels, action!

Introducing the ECHO YouTube Channel! What can you expect as our subscriber? For those of you who decided to join our ranks and gather soil samples, the channel will provide you with clear, step-by-step instructions. Until then, make sure to watch our welcome video, which summarizes our goals and core values:

WATCH THE VIDEO!

It's ECHO's birthday!

Last November, ECHO held an annual meeting which marked another milestone in advancing soil-focused environmental monitoring and research. The meeting featured presentations and discussions on biomonitoring techniques, pollution assessment, and various findings from the ECHO Project. Participants engaged with leading experts, exchanged knowledge, and explored future collaboration opportunities. They also presented the components of the ECHO toolkit and the accompanying instructions. By testing the soil kit in the field, participants were able to gain firsthand experience, and - naturally - have some fun in the dirt!

WHAT A YEAR!