Newswise — Syngenta Crop Protection Inc. announces a $100,000 gift to help fund a soils exhibit at the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum in Washington, DC.
Opening to the public on July 19, 2008, "Dig It! The Secrets of Soil" is an exhibit currently under development at the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum with support from founding sponsor the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA), a Madison, WI, based professional scientific society. The 5,000-square-foot exhibit will increase the public's awareness about the importance of soil with a focus on conservation and sustainability.
"Syngenta is truly excited to participate in this major educational effort on the critical importance of soil as a natural resource," said Jennifer Shaw, director of stewardship for Syngenta. "Syngenta is committed to promoting agricultural practices that minimize soil erosion, improve soil productivity and preserve biodiversity as viable approaches to growing healthy crops and conserving the environment at the same time."
The exhibit will include a collection of state soils, hands-on educational games, multimedia programs, a large-screen theater, and other activities that will demonstrate to visitors the vital link between soil and the health of mankind, the environment, and our planet.
"The cooperation between the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History and the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) on this exhibit underscores the importance of soil science in public education," added Shaw. "Through our sponsorship, Syngenta hopes to advance soil conservation and sustainability for the benefit of future generations." The soils exhibit will occupy an approximately 5,000 square foot exhibit space in the National Museum of Natural History, the most visited natural history museum in the world, and will be on display until January 2010. A four-year national tour to museums across the country is in the planning stage. Related publications, lessons, and web-based activities will reach millions of additional people.
In conjunction with the exhibit, SSSA will be publishing a children's soils book and is seeking funding for related educational items such as an exhibit website, public lectures, and teacher workshops.
Syngenta's donation was made to the Agronomic Science Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the Soil Science Society of America. Syngenta joins numerous corporate sponsors, government agencies, and more than 1,200 individual donors who have made contributions in support of the soils exhibit.
To learn more about the exhibit, visit http://www.soils.org/smithsonian or http://forces.si.edu/soils/.
The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) www.soils.org is an educational organization based in Madison, Wisconsin, which helps its 11,000+ members advance the disciplines and practices of soil science by supporting professional growth and science policy initiatives, and by providing quality, research-based publications and a variety of member services.
Syngenta is a world-leading agribusiness committed to sustainable agriculture through innovative research and technology. The company is a leader in crop protection, and ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2006 were approximately $8.1 billion. Syngenta employs around 21,000 people in over 90 countries. Syngenta is listed on the Swiss stock exchange (SYNN) and in New York (SYT). Further information is available at www.syngenta.com.
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