SPOKANE — As Spokane-area residents work to rebuild their homes and yards following recent wildfires, many are turning to permaculture as a sustainable solution that combines environmental benefits with fire protection.
Permaculture is a system designed to work with natural processes rather than against them, creating landscapes that are both productive and environmentally sound.
The Spokane Permaculture Symposium gathered educators, regenerative farmers, citizens, and scientists to explore how natural systems can create landscapes that sustain themselves while building community defenses against future fires.
“It’s an opportunity to get together and talk about permaculture which is a little known topic,” said Mary Bishop, founder of All Things Regenerative.
The connection between soil health and fire resistance lies in water retention. When soil is properly built up with biomass and organic matter, it can harvest and retain more water, increasing moisture levels in the immediate environment. This approach addresses a critical vulnerability in fire-prone regions. Bare ground allows water to run off quickly, reducing both soil moisture and regional humidity—two key factors that influence wildfire conditions.
“If you allow just dead ground, water just flows right off of it, it doesn’t increase the hydrology of the region, it doesn’t increase the humidity of the region, which is all part of the ingredients of a wildfire,” Bishop said.
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