Coming to Philadelphia: The Science of Dirt

Newswise — The scientific program for the 18th World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS), July 9-15, 2006 in Philadelphia, PA at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, will focus on multi-disciplinary soil science advances under the theme, "Frontiers of Soil Science: Technology and the Information Age." The unique international event is held in a different city every four years (last held in the U.S. in 1960) and is being hailed by organizers as being a "unique convergence of the world's leading professionals in soil science."

Presentations organized into topical symposia will be given by thousands of soil scientists from around the world on such topics as GIS technologies, land-use analysis, environmental soil biology, plant/soil interaction, hazardous waste remediation, precision agriculture, and more.

Two key symposia include, "Global Priorities of Soil Science Research," features leading soil scientists from North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand who will discuss soil science research needs; "Innovation, Speculation, and 'Disneyfication' in Soil Science Education," keynote speakers will discuss soil science education with examples from the U.S. and Australia. To search/browse sessions and events, go to: http://www.colostate.edu/programs/IUSS/18wcss/program.html

Several distinguished scientists will be participating in the opening ceremony on Monday, July 10, including Dr. Michael Clegg, the Foreign Secretary of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences; Ambassador Kenneth Quinn, who will recognize the 2006 World Food Prize Laureate; and Dr. Ed De Mulder, Past President of the International Union of Geological Sciences, who will discuss the Year of Planet Earth initiative, which the United Nations recently approved for 2008. The plenary address will be given by Dr. Jeffrey D. Sachs, the noted economist at Columbia University and author of "The End of Poverty." Dr. Sachs is the Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia and serves as Special Advisor to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan on the Millennium Development Goals.

In addition, several noted soil scientists will be recognized at the Gala Banquet on Thursday, July 13, where the Dokuchaev Basic Soil Science Award, the Liebig Applied Soil Science Award, Kubiena Medals, and new Honorary Members of the International Union of Soil Sciences will be presented.

Registration is $650, with special one- and two-day rates available. Reduced rates are also available for students and companions. WCSS activities include cultural tours, educational workshops, and scientific exhibits. Additional information and registration can be found at: http://www.18wcss.org.