When we think of gauging the health of our soils and water, we usually imagine lab tests. When we say the word "farm," it's common for images of livestock and row crops to come to mind.

However, just as the "canary" came to signal toxic air conditions in a coal mine, there are animals that can flag dramatic shifts on farm land and ground water.

In this Deep Roots Radio interview, herpetologist Christopher Smith describes how reptiles, turtles and salamanders are indicators of shifts in how we're using land and water. The impacts can be surprising at times.

Chris is a Minnesota-based Certified Wildlife Biologist, specializing in endangered species conservation and ecology, and with an emphasis is on amphibians and reptiles (herpetolgy).

He administers the Amphibian and Reptile Survey of Minnesota, and is Director of Public Affairs for the global HerpMapper project (HerpMapper.org)

Co-host Dave Corbett and I hope you enjoy this interview.

#farming, #regenerativeagriculture, # herpetology