Smithsonian Looking for Funding of Soils Exhibit

Smithsonian looking for funding of soils exhibit The Soil Science Society of America is working with the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and others to plan a soils exhibit as part of the Forces of Change program at the museum.

The projected opening for the completed soils exhibit is 2008 or earlier, depending on funding. Previously, the exhibit was tentatively slated to open in July 2006, to coincide with the World Congress of Soil Science that will convene in Philadelphia.

In cooperation with Smithsonian staff, soil scientists from many regions and professions are working with SSSA committees to help develop the exhibit, fund raise, and distribute educational and promotional information. To date, more than $800,000 has been raised towards the overall goal of $4 million with fund raising efforts continuing through at least 2007.

Initial plans for the exhibit include two sections: one featuring state soil monoliths and the other an interactive component featuring educational displays, exhibit panels, artifacts, videos, activity tables, experiments, and interactive games to help visitors understand how soil is intricately linked to the health of humanity, the environment, and the planet. If funding permits, a traveling exhibit will be sent to other museums and libraries to reach additional communities. Related educational outreach materials, including web activities, will reach millions more.

The first state soil monolith is now on display in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. It features Menfro, Missouri's official state soil. The museum attracts more than six million visitors each year; almost 20 percent who come from outside the U.S. Tentative themes for the exhibit include:

• Soil as Life
• Soils Support Organisms
• Medicine from Soils
• Food from Soils
• Soils in Cultural History
• Role of Soils in the Environment
• Careers in Soil

For a design concept of the soils exhibit, or to volunteer or contribute, visit http://www.soils.org/smithsonian. For information on understanding soils, visit http://soils.usda.gov.

Source: Golf Course Superintendents Association of America Newsletter