1. Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF) Smithsonian Soils Exhibit Project Overview National Museum of Natural History Washington, DC Opening Planned 2006

2. Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF) Project Goals Include Soil Science in Smithsonian Institution’s earth system science project, “Global Links” Become a springboard for broad soil science educational activities Raise awareness, visibility of soil science

3. Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF) Elements Museum exhibit (would be seen by 6-9 million visitors annually) –State soil monoliths (quasi-permanent) –Interactive educational section (4-5 years expected) –Topics might include: Soil as Life, Ecology, Food from the Soil, Medicine from the Soil, Careers

4. Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF) Elements, Cont. Exhibit to be Loaned -After closing at the Smithsonian, exhibits are loaned to other museums. May have 4-7 years additional usage around the country

5. Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF) Elements, Cont. Educational Outreach Materials could be developed for K-16 educators, librarians World Wide Web activities will carry educational activities indefinitely

6. Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF) Collaborators Ten soil scientists formed a coordinating committee supported by the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) H.H. Cheng, University of Minnesota, Committee Chair Patrick Drohan, Shephard CollegeRichard Arnold, USDA-NRCS Stan Buol, North Carolina State UniversityRichard Cline, USDA Forest Service Research Del Fanning, University of MarylandElissa Levine, NASA/Goddard Space Flight Cntr Gary Petersen, the Pennsylvania State UnivDan Walters, University of Nebraska Jim Ware, USDA NRCSKarl Glasener, ASA-CSSA-SSSA

7. Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF) Collaborators, Cont. Soil scientists and natural resource communicators are collaborating with Smithsonian Institution staff on exhibit development State liaisons are working in 20 states currently to help identify cooperators, potential funders

8. Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF) What You Can Do Share: Send consumer educational materials to SSSA, where a master list is being compiled Volunteer: State liaisons are needed in several states to be a communications link

9. Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF) What You Can Do, Cont Stay informed: Subscribe to list serve by e-mailing SUBSRIBE in message body to smithsonian-request@soils.org Watch www.soils.org and CSA News (SSSA member newsletter) for updates

10. Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF) What You Can Do, Cont Make a gift/suggest others: –$10,000 state monolith sponsors offered to state soil associations. Suggest coalitions with state corporations, individuals, organizations – joint recognition on monolith –Campaign underway via Agronomic Science Foundation, 501 (c)(3), to fund $1-3 million needed for exhibit development; please suggest potential donors Gifts can be spread over three years; $10,000 plus gifts recognized with museum signage

11. Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF) Time Line To open before July 2006, International Union of Soil Science World Congress 200120022003200420052006 Project Planning/Fundraising Education Mat’l Develop Exhibit Building

12. Soil Science Visibility Help make soil science part of the earth system science story. Unique opportunity to have a partner, the Smithsonian Institution, tell this story to 6-9 million annual visitors, plus those reached through educational materials.

13. Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and Agronomic Science Foundation (ASF) FOR MORE INFO... HH Cheng, Committee Chair, University of Minnesota Valerie Breunig, ASF/SSSA (608-273-8090 x315)