In this interview, I speak to Zach Weiss, who runs a business called Elemental Ecosystems. I met Zach a few weeks ago when I took his workshop, where he taught some of his methods for understanding and managing water in the landscape.
Zach works under the assumption that the core reason for many environmental problems is a misunderstanding and poor management of water. By building dams, repairing eroded stream banks and many other tactics, Zach helps people improve their land’s ability to catch and hold water. This has flow-on effects for local climate, drought resilience and financial stability.
Show Notes
01:05 Zach describes his work02:01 Outline of the water cycle04:31 Sepp Holzer09:20 Zach's opinion of Holistic Management10:32 Tom Brown Jr. and Jon Young: wilderness skills, bird language 10:59 Ringing Cedars 11:57 Rajindra Singh, the waterman of India 12:53 Universal principles vs. specific tactics13:25 The Tao 14:23 Describing a typical re-hydration project16:26 Why pond liners are not ideal18:27 Building water bodies that fit in with the existing geology and hydrology, as opposed to digging dams in inappropriate spots. "Tying a water body to the natural veins of the Earth."20:48 Zach's thoughts on some aspects of permaculture22:57 Getting your hands dirty. Build models using the soil on your property.24:35 What to do in the suburbs?… Observe your property, create a rain garden, infiltrate the maximum amount of water.26:21 Hügelkultur 27:40 Zach's problem with swales30:14 The process of tapping springs, and why to drink spring water32:35 French drains 33:42 Evidence of revegetation changing climate and increasing rainfall34:44 Willie Smits, and his TED Talk 35:14 Convincing people that water is more important than atmospheric CO2 for climate36:57 Zach's experience in Australia: a perfect example of the watershed death spiral39:45 Zach's film, Elemental Change 42:00 Vicencia Dehasa, Spain 42:14 Tamera, Portugal 42:36 Peter Marshall and Terra Preta Truffles near Braidwood 42:54 Walter Jehne 43:22 Tarun Bharat Sangh, Indian NGO