The hydrological cycle of our planet is being severely disturbed, from the tops of our watersheds to the river mouths feeding the oceans. This is leading to increased drought, desertification, flooding, water scarcity, collapse of ecosystem function, disease, crop loss, etc - which when occur, are called “natural” disasters. There is nothing natural about them, it is rather the direct result of previous mismanagement.

This feedback loop is not only preventable but reversible through improvement management and cooperation with natural systems. Decentralized water retention landscapes - returning the water to the earth that is being otherwise diverted by human development - provides a proven and effective method for enhancing the cycling of water in the landscape, reversing desertification, stabilizing climate change, and improving water availability and quality - all while increasing productivity and vitality for both humans and their ecosystems.

This presentation provides both the context and theory for the larger ecological issues at hand, as well as real world examples of the solutions and approaches that can affect change. Highlighting projects from a variety of different contexts, scales, and climates leaves participants equipped with a fundamental understanding of the key elements, and introduces the incredible possibilities for restoration and regeneration.

Zachary Weiss, the protégé of revolutionary Austrian farmer Sepp Holzer, is the first person to earn Holzer Practitioner certification directly from Sepp - through a rigorous two-year apprenticeship working on projects in North America and Europe.

Blending a unique combination of systems thinking, empathy and awareness, Zach created Elemental Ecosystems to provide an action-oriented process to improve clients' relationship with their landscape.