The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) is celebrating its centennial on 19-21 May in Florence, Italy, and the British Society of Soil Science (BSSS) are pleased to be attending and hosting a session at the event. The event will empower the links with different disciplines, policy makers, stakeholders, institutions, and associations to effectively address civil society needs within agriculture, forestry, environment, urban planning, energy, education, and other societal issues. The celebration will take place on 19 May and will be followed by two days of congress, with plenary and parallel scientific sessions. Both soil scientists and specialists from other disciplines will participate to each session, focusing on past achievements and future challenges.
You can see the full programme here.
We are delighted to be hosting a fireside chat panel session during the conference on Monday 20 May from 1-2pm in the ONICE Room. This will be about Soil health for people and planet: Leveraging policy, integrating governance, exploring collaboration and increasing engagement to build a resilient, sustainable future. The session will be chaired by BSSS President, Dr Jack Hannam, and will feature a high profile panel of The Honourable Penny Wensley, Former National Soils Advocate of Australia, Leigh Ann Winowiecki, Co-Lead of the Coalition of Action for Soil Health (CA4SH), and Dr Irene Heuser, from the IUCN World Commission.
Addressing the challenges of soil degradation requires a varied toolbox that includes solutions from robust policy frameworks and effective governance mechanisms. Policy instruments are needed to support and prioritize soil conservation, restoration, and sustainable management. This discussion session brings together policy advocates, researchers and practitioners, to delve into the multifaceted dimensions of soil policy and governance. We will discover innovative strategies, best practices, and emerging trends that highlight how various policy instruments can be used to safeguard soil health and promote sustainable land management practices. Key themes to be addressed include the role of policy interventions in mitigating soil degradation, how to balance multiple societal demands from soils in policy, integrating traditional knowledge into modern governance frameworks, and the socioeconomic implications of soil management decisions. Moreover, the session will explore where there are opportunities for cross-sectoral collaboration, citizen engagement, and international cooperation in advancing soil policy agendas. By fostering interdisciplinary exchange around the complexities of soil governance, this session seeks to catalyze action towards building resilient and regenerative soil systems that can support future generations and sustain planetary health.
Delegates will have the chance to hear from and ask questions of the panel, to aid with knowledge exchange and raising awareness of best practice in soil health.
BSSS is also looking for sponsorship to cover our involvement at the event. This is a great opportunity to support us and encourage stakeholders to engage with soil, whilst raising your profile. If you are interested in supporting us, please contact us at admin@soils.org.uk
The IUSS Centennial is set to be fantastic event, not only celebrating this huge milestone, but also building and developing on from 100 years of work and commitment to soil. BSSS has been associated with IUSS for a number of years and has supported and collaborated on various projects, most notably the World Congress of Soil Science in 2022.
The International Union of Soil Sciences (IUSS) is the global union of soil scientists. The objectives of the IUSS are to foster all branches of the soil sciences and their applications, and to give support to soil scientists in the pursuit of their activities.
