Experts to Provide Peek of Smithsonian Soils Exhibit

Newswise — Arizona's state soil, "Casa Grande," is featured in a new 5,000-square-foot exhibition, "Dig it! The Secrets of Soil," at the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum, Washington, D.C. The exhibition will travel to museums across the country from 2010-2013.

WHO: A three-person panel of experts, along with the President of the Soil Science Society of America (Dr. Gary "Pete" Peterson) will discuss the new "Dig It! The Secrets of Soil" exhibition* Pat Megonigal, Ph.D., Exhibit Curator and a Soil Biogeochemist, the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center* Barbara Stauffer, Exhibit Developer, Smithsonian's Natural History Museum* Jennifer Bine, Project Director, Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service

WHAT: Opening Plenary Session - Pritchard Lecture, "Dig It! The Secrets of Soil: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Soils Exhibit Opening and the Traveling Tour," as part of the Soil and Water Conservation Society annual conferenceWHERE: Salons B-E, JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort, Tucson, AZ

WHEN: Monday, July 28, 2008, 8:30-10:00am, with continued discussion to follow

WHY: "Dig It! The Secrets of Soil" reveals the complex world of soils and how soils support life on earth. Dig It! includes interactive displays, hands-on models, and videos. Arizona's own "Casa Grande" soil is featured as one of 54 soil samples in the exhibition.

The Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) is a progressive, international scientific society that fosters the transfer of knowledge and practices to sustain global soils. Based in Madison, WI, and founded in 1936, SSSA is the professional home for 6,000+ members dedicated to advancing the field of soil science. It provides information about soils in relation to crop production, environmental quality, ecosystem sustainability, bioremediation, waste management, recycling, and wise land use.

SSSA supports its members by providing quality research-based publications, educational programs, certifications, and science policy initiatives via a Washington, DC, office. For more information, visit http://www.soils.org

SSSA is the founding sponsor of an approximately 5,000-square foot exhibition, Dig It! The Secrets of Soil, which opened in July 2008 at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC. For more information, including images and video, visit http://www.soils.org/smithsonian