Soil Science Congress Floods U.S., First Time in 46 Years

Newswise — "Frontiers of Soil Science: Technology and the Information Age" is the focus of the 18th World Congress of Soil Science (WCSS). Arriving in the U.S. for the first time in 46 years, this unique program, drawing participants and visitors from across the globe, will be in Philadelphia, PA, July 9-15, 2006, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. Every four years the convention is hosted in a different city, to highlight the international nature of soil science and the diversity of those attending.

Keynoting the congress on Monday, July 10 is Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, the noted economist and author of "The End of Poverty." He is the Director of the Earth Institute at Columbia University and serves as a Special Advisor to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Millennium Development Goals. He will present on "Soil Science and the Challenge of Sustainable Development" . Other speakers include 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 Laureates; and Bruce Knight, chief of the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service.

With research symposia, discussions, award presentations, and product/service demonstrations, WCSS is a fountain of knowledge and information on soils for all attendees. A few highlights of the topics, include: "¢ Soils and Agriculture—including fertilizer use, wine production, organic farming, gardening"¢ Soils and Health—including essential nutrients, pathogens, antibiotics, world hunger"¢ Soils in Urban Ecosystems—including urban planning, soil erosion, golf course management"¢ Soils and Ecology—including soil erosion, greenhouse gas, hazardous waste, climate change"¢ Soils and History—art, history, education, state soils

Five continents will be represented in examining the soil science research needs in "Global Priorities of Soil Science Research" . Australia and the U.S. will also be the building blocks of discussion for soil science education in "Innovation, Speculation, and 'Disneyfication' in Soil Science Education" .

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 to several notable soil scientists on Thursday, July 13. Products, services, and academic institutions will highlight their departmental programs, research, and activities in the Exhibit Hall.

Members of the media are invited to attend. The World Congress of Soil Science is held from July 9-15 in Philadelphia at the Pennsylvania Convention Center and features presentations by soil scientists from around the world on such topics as climate change, soils and health, urban planning, crop production, hazardous waste, and more. The World Congress of Soil Science is a unique international event held in a different city every four years (last held in the U.S. in 1960). For more information, go to: http://www.18wcss.org.

A Press Room will be located in the Pennsylvania Convention Center (Room 302) for members of the media and Public Information Officers.