Sophia Bruna is a Master of Research student in the Cumberland Plain Research Program. Her project, Reviving the Ground, investigates how soil amendments can support the early restoration of the critically endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland. She evaluates the effectiveness of soil inoculation and mulch application in improving soil microbial communities, nutrient availability and overall soil condition. Through controlled experiments, she tests different qualities and quantities of soil inoculum alongside mulch as a carbon source to assess how these amendments influence the establishment of native understory grasses and herbs. Her findings will help identify practical and effective strategies for enhancing degraded soils and supporting successful native plant establishment in early restoration efforts.