SENS

SENS: Sensory Exploration of Nexus in Soils

Location of activities and scope

Reunion Island, France, Local

Strand 3 – Deploy innovative, creative and participatory methodologies for engaging citizens in soil protection and preservations

Executive Summary

The SENS project co-creates a sensory workshop that raises awareness among the people of La Réunion about the importance of preserving soil biodiversity and its vital role in human health and ecosystem resilience. By engaging all five senses through creative, hands-on activities, the workshop seeks to transform the perception of soil—from an inert substrate into a living, dynamic ecosystem. Developed in collaboration with members of TROPISM-Réunion, a network of more than 100 scientific, technical, and institutional partners involved in soil management strategies, the workshop is firmly rooted in the local context. It is already tested with school groups and the general public, then consolidated into an open-access toolkit “Senses of the Soil”, ensuring its long-term replication and adaptation.

Ultimately, the project aims to deepen public engagement with soil and promote sustainable practices that contribute to the protection of soil biodiversity.

Motivation Statement

The following paragraph presents the personal reflections of the four main project members on what soil means to each of them :

Although it constitutes only a thin layer of the Earth’s surface, soil has been fundamental to the emergence and persistence of life beyond the oceans. Far more than a mere surface beneath our feet, soil is a sanctuary teeming with biodiversity — a highly organized and complex realm where often invisible and mysterious forces coexist in delicate balance. Yet, its current state sadly reflects humanity’s lack of awareness and care for this essential foundation of life and well-being. Too often overlooked and misunderstood, soil calls for a collective awakening — one that allows us to rediscover, value, and protect it for generations to come.