Healthy Soils Action Plan

The Massachusetts Healthy Soils Action Plan (HSAP) is the nation’s first statewide effort to understand, protect, and restore soil function across all land uses. Commissioned by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Plan documents how land use and management shape soil health—and outlines strategies to strengthen ecosystem function, food security, and climate resilience across the Commonwealth.

Over an 18-month process, Regenerative Design Group led a multidisciplinary consultant team through an extensive literature review and geospatial analysis to identify the drivers of soil health at a statewide scale. This work included the development of a novel approach to quantifying soil organic carbon based on land cover and drainage class, enabling more accurate, carbon-informed land use decisions.

Guided by a 40-member Working Group representing state and federal agencies, conservation organizations, scientists, and community stakeholders, RDG translated research findings into clear, actionable strategies. The resulting Plan provides a shared framework for policymakers, land managers, and practitioners to align soil management with climate mitigation and adaptation goals—positioning healthy soils as essential infrastructure for resilient landscapes and communities.