SOIL and her fascination for it has led Urunga author Alisa Bryce to pen her first popular science book, ‘Grounded’.

The Harry Bailey Memorial Library in Coffs Harbour is hosting the book launch on August 11.

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Caz Heise will be the MC who will introduce the book and share a Q&A with Alisa.

Written with the intention to engage people in the topic of soil, Alisa hopes people will read and think “that’s interesting or that’s cool” rather than “that’s depressing”.

“Soil is a truly fascinating subject, but it’s often presented in a boring or negative way,” Alisa told News Of The Area.

“The first introduction to soil many people get is about erosion, degradation, or being told to wash it off themselves.

“Soil is also often placed firmly under the umbrella of agriculture.

“While it is an essential part of agriculture, it is part of our broader lives in general, which is why, except for the chapters about wine and Mars, I do not talk about farming or gardening in my book.”

Grounded explores the inescapable fact that life on land could not exist without soil.

“Almost everything we need can be traced to the soil: food, fibre, medicines and more,” the publishers write about the book.

There are already plenty of books about agriculture, ecology or how to grow tomatoes.

This book digs into other earthy subjects such as how soil evidence can nail a murderer, the ingredients that make up a Test cricket pitch, how the soil affects the taste of your favourite wine, the soil microbes that could be the next wonder drug, tips for digging a POW camp escape tunnel (disclaimer: don’t try it at home) or mounting an invasion of Normandy (ditto) and how to be ecofriendly when you’re dead.

“My main message is that soil is fascinating…something that should be enjoyed and celebrated.

“Conservation can seem like ‘survival of the cutest’, which doesn’t give soil much of a chance.

“Even if you lived at the very top of a skyscraper and never came down to the ground, you are still completely and utterly dependent on the soil.

“Think of something you use every day and ask yourself if it could exist without the soil,” poses Alisa.

Alisa realised her intrigue for soil in her second year at university.

“I was studying a Bachelor of Science in agriculture and seriously considering doing something else because I found the first year quite boring.

“But in the second year there were soil subjects, which quickly became my favourite.”

She majored in soil science at university and worked as a soil scientist afterwards.

“I ended up working in parks and gardens around Sydney.”

She had assumed she would work in agriculture, but her career has seen her mostly working with urban soils.

“Chapter 2 of my book talks about some of the work urban soil scientists do, such as designing and manufacturing soil that supports our urban green spaces including green roofs, golf courses and cricket pitches.”

Alisa is now a full-time author (and does occasional soil consultancy work) and writes mostly from home in Urunga.

“Writing usually means researching and I like having good internet and a big screen to work with.

“If I need to pen edit, I might work from a café or the picnic table in the garden.”

The book launch is free, but due to seating limits, RSVP is essential.

Book through Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/grounded-book-launch-tickets-372530206877.

Alisa will in attendance, signing books and mingling.

Books will be available on the night from the Book Warehouse.

By Andrea FERRARI