About Leanne Philip

Dr. Leanne J Philip, BSc. (Hon.); MSc.; PhD. is the Managing Director & Chief Scientist of Soil Advocates Inc. She studied at the University of Guelph as an undergraduate (Plant Biology, Environmental Management and Urban Horticulture) and as a graduate student (Plant & Soil Interactions). She has a keen interest in soil sciences, which lead her to the University of British Columbia in Vancouver for doctoral studies in soil carbon sequestration and movement within British Columbia’s clear-cut soils. Further work in soil sciences in Europe and Canada reinforced Dr. Philip’s belief that soil processes and mechanisms belowground drive aboveground aesthetics and plant interactions. While active in both research, mentorship and teaching, most recently Dr. Philip has been working in applied soil sciences in industry and community outreach. Dr. Philip is a native of southern Ontario and is a strong advocate for scientific literacy within her community and responsible environmental stewardship.

Here Is Why Canadian Icewine Is So Cool This Winter

Canadian Icewine,  a beverage made from grapes that are left to freeze while still on the vine, has been a delicacy for generations.

Canada (and especially Ontario) is home to ideal climate conditions for the yearly Canadian Icewine production. Its warm summers ripen the grapes perfectly, and its cold (but not too cold) […]

By |2018-03-22T10:22:20-04:00March 22nd, 2018|Categories: Blog, Environment|Tags: , , , , , |

Soil Searching: Picking The Right Soil For Indoor Plants

Have questions about which is the right type of soil for your indoor plants? It’s understandable – you are bound to find a wide variety of soils at your local garden centre, including prepackaged mixes for indoor plants. The type of soil you need really depends on the type of indoor plants […]

Sinkholes and Soil: Why They Are An Environmental Extreme

When You Get That Sinking Feeling

Sinkholes around the world have been making the news lately. From car-swallowing potholes in Rome to sinkholes threatening entire communities in Florida, soils worldwide are shifting in unsettling ways.

But what’s causing this sudden epidemic of sinkholes? Signs point to climate change and the inability of […]

By |2018-02-23T17:00:48-05:00February 23rd, 2018|Categories: Blog, Environment|Tags: , , , , |

Why We All Could Use A Little Forest Therapy

Do you ever feel a need to get away from your daily life in the city and reconnect with nature? Studies have shown that taking some time to explore nature and the forests can have a lot of positive health benefits, which has led to the rise of forest therapy.

Forest therapy […]

By |2018-02-11T20:51:35-05:00February 11th, 2018|Categories: Blog, Environment|Tags: , , , , |

The Top 5 Reasons For You To Start Composting At Home

Looking for reasons to start composting at home? Let’s face it—composting results in a win/win situation for you and the environment. It is one of the best ways for us to give back to the natural world and our local communities in our everyday lives. Though getting started with composting can take […]

Scientists Ask: Are Dandelions Good for the Environment?

Could dandelions actually be good for the environment? Long dismissed as a weed, the plant is now giving hope to researchers who have been looking for ways to rehabilitate regions damaged by oil spills.

Biologist Susan Kaminskyj from the University of Saskatchewan recently discovered a dandelion growing in the middle of an otherwise completely barren […]

By |2018-01-28T12:13:54-05:00January 28th, 2018|Categories: Blog, Environment|Tags: , , , , |

Forensic Botany: How Plants Can Be Crime Stoppers

You probably were not aware that for many years, scientists have been able to use plants to determine if, when and how a crime was committed. That’s right—plants can be verifiable crime stoppers!

This particular field is called “forensic biology,” the application of biology in law enforcement practices. It has been used to […]

By |2018-01-28T12:14:31-05:00January 22nd, 2018|Categories: Blog|Tags: , , , , |

Effective Environmental Problem Solving Techniques that Anyone Can Use

At some point, all of us encounter an environmental problem that we need to solve using our own skills and intelligence. In fact, it is due to poor problem solving that many relationships or business fail. Therefore, having a set of good environmental problem solving skills at our disposal will make some of these problems […]

By |2018-01-11T08:40:09-05:00January 10th, 2018|Categories: Blog, Environment|Tags: , , , |

Alternative Ways To Melt Ice: Pass On The Salt And Pick Up The Beet

In recent years, there has been more discussion about alternative ways to melt ice and the environmental impact of road salt during the winter months. There seems to be more momentum than ever to find alternative solutions.

Every year, cities across Canada spread millions of tons of road salt on pavement to combat […]

Seed Banks And The Importance Of Seed Collection

Seed banks have been a common activity going as far back as 8,000 B.C., when farmers realized they needed to protect their seeds to ensure the harvest for the next year. Seed banks were used to protect those seeds from extreme weather and animals.

Today’s seed banks are still quite important, but for primarily different reasons. […]

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