The NSCSS Board of Directors met during the annual meeting in San Antonio and agreed, by unanimous vote, to contribute to the Smithsonian Worlds Underfoot soil exhibit. Our initial discussions established a significant contribution amount (at least $10,000). This is a very big deal for our organization. We have been meeting as an organized group for 20 years and this is our first contribution of this magnitude. The Board of Directors will meet again in June to make the final decisions regarding our contribution.
Central to the Worlds Underfoot project is a 5,000 square foot soil exhibit to be located at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. The projected opening for the exhibit, is 2008. The exhibit will occupy one entire hall of the museum and will be displayed for 1.5 years. It will feature state soil monoliths and interactive soil displays. Each of the 50 states and three U.S. territories will donatebe included in the display with a monolith of their state soil that has been loaned to the Smithsonian by USDA-NRCS. A separate mobile exhibit will travel to dozens of museums, schools, and libraries and, depending on funding, the project may include soil education kits, web-based activities, curriculum, teachers' workshops, public lectures, and career information.
The exhibit is expected to require 2+ years for the Smithsonian to design, build and install. Sponsored by the SSSA, the final decision about exhibit building, design, and content rests with the host: Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History. The total cost is projected to be $4 almost $3.5 million, of which more than $2.1 million has been raised. The lead sponsor for the exhibit is The Fertilizer Institute/Nutrients for Life Foundation.
The exhibit will emphasize the living, biological nature of soils, the variation in soils from one region or locality to another, the dynamic nature of soil, the role soil plays in linking the earth's air, land and water resources, and the importance of taking care of our non-renewable soil resources.
This project is very important to the soil science profession and the deadline for corporate sponsorships -- as well as individual donations -- is this summer. Others wishing to contribute are encouraged to contact the Soil Science Society of America.
[Updated per emailed comments 3/14/2007]
Illustration by MFM Design © Smithsonian Institution
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