ANNOUNCED: The Nominees for the BC Provincial Soil
Provincial Soil Initiative Update from Jacynthe Masse:
I’m happy to announce that the soil community didn’t take a lot of days off during the summer,
because we received seven soils as proposed candidates for the provincial soil!
Here they are!
- Abbotsford Soil Series
- Delta Soil Series
- Deserters Soil Series
- Eunice Soil Series
- Neptune Soil Series
- Osoyoos Soil Series
- Sombric Brunisol
(you can click on each hyperlink to download the proposal)
If your favourite soil is not among the proposed candidates, don’t start crying! Start writing!
We will accept proposals until October 15th, 2014.
Once you have submitted your proposals, remember to schedule two minutes in your agenda on October 20th, 2014, the day that online voting opens!
You can submit your proposal to Jacynthe Masse (PRSSS director for the provincial soil):
Jacynthe.masse@alumni.ubc.ca
The PRSSS has soil ID kits!
A big thank you to all the soil scientists whose donations made it possible for the PRSSS to purchase the equipment needed to make five soil identification kits. For years the PRSSS has borrowed equipment each year from senior soil scientists in order to teach the summer soil ID course. The use of this equipment was and is much appreciated! This spring however, with the gracious donations from many within the soil community, the PRSSS was able to purchase the equipment needed to create five full soil identification kits. These kits will be a long lasting contribution to soil science education in the region!
Donations were provided by:
Shannon Berch
Paul Sanborn
Scott Smith
Maja Krzic
Geoff Hughes-Games
Art Bomke
Cindy Prescott
Les Lavkulich
Mike Van Ham at Sylvis
Marty Kranabetter
Celebrating the International Year of Soils with a soils-inspired art installation
Starting in September, Rodríguez-Gerada will begin constructing a landscape portrait using GPS technology to determine where to place wooden pegs that will become the guideline for a face. Then, with the help of construction companies, he will place 2,000 tons of sand and 800 tons of soil in the exact spots needed to achieve the intended effect when viewed from above.
Recent research: Role of new group of microorganisms in greenhouse gas reduction
INRA research scientists in Dijon have shown that the ability of soils to eliminate N2O can mainly be explained by the diversity and abundance of a new group of micro-organisms that are capable of transforming it into atmospheric nitrogen (N2). Click the title to read more!
The changes to Bill 24 are not set in stone!
The Ministry of Agriculture is providing an opportunity for the public to learn more about the potential changes to the Agricultural Land Commission Act and to state their opinions on the matter. An online survey allowing concerned citizens to give their input will be available until August 22nd. Make yourself heard before it’s too late!
Call for Papers Sept. 15th for 2015 Northwest Scientific Association/Northwest Lichenologists Conference
The 86th Annual Conference of the Northwest Scientific Association and Northwest Lichenologists will be held April 1-4, 2015 at Columbia Basin College in Pasco, Washington.
The title of this year’s conference is “Past, Present, and Future Challenges to Natural and Managed Ecosystems: Sagebrush, Salmon, and Syrah in a Non-stationary Environment.”
Abstracts are accepted from September 15, 2014 until February 15, 2015.
Early registration opens January 31, 2015.
Conference supporters include
- Ice Age Floods Institute
- McBones Center for Research Foundation
- Northwest Lichenologists
- Columbia Basin College
- Washington State University, Tri-Cities
Click here for more information.
“Sagebrush“. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
August 6-8: Northwest Forest Soils Council Summer Field Tour in Idaho
The Northwest Forest Soils Council is hosting a Summer Field Tour at the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest in Grangeville, Idaho.
The title of this year’s tour is “Forests and soils from the rivers to the ice: Ecological function and management.”
Registration is open now – click here to register.
Click here for more information and to see the schedule.
NOTE: This is not a PRSSS event
Clearwater National Park (By Robbiegiles at en.wikipedia (Transferred from en.wikipedia) [CC-BY-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5)], from Wikimedia Commons)
Explore B.C.’s Interior with the PRSSS on our 2014 Fall Field Tour!
Come and explore soils of the Kamloops Region with the PRSSS. Volcanic ash deposits from before the Fraser Glaciation, glacial lake beaches, glacial meltwater channels and sand dunes await you!
News from the Provincial Soil Initiative
The Provincial Soil Initiative has officially been launched; let the democratic process begin!
The Provincial Soil Initiative sub-committee will soon release its candidates to compete in the race. However, the floor is open to any soil-suggestions! So, get together and discuss your favourite soil series then come up with a proposition explaining why your soil should be a candidate for the provincial emblem.
You have until September 28th to submit a proposal. The final vote will begin on October 1st.
Stay tuned for any news concerning the project and take advantage of this beautiful summer and its many field trips to discuss possible soils!
Feel free to email Jacynthe Masse at Jacynthe.masse@alumni.ubc.ca if you have any questions or would like more information.