As many will already know, the 5th December 2015 saw the closure of the International Year of Soils. It also rounded off an active 12 months for the Newcastle University Soil Science Society (S5).
Currently the only student-led soil science society in a UK university, S5, in partnership with the School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, dedicated itself to celebrating the International Year of Soils both within the University and in the local community.
As previously reported, on World Soils Day 2014 the beginning of the year was marked by welcoming Professor Stephen Nortcliff of the University of Reading and the Newcastle University’s own Dr Robert Payton to deliver inspiring public lectures on ‘Why Do Soils Matter?’ and ‘Every Soil Tells a Story’.
Since then, S5 has continued to fulfill its aim to make soils and environmental science accessible to everyone. The Society’s educational activity, ‘Soil’s Got Talent’, has been demonstrated at family events in the North East, including the Open Farm Sunday at Cockle Park and a community garden Family Apple Day in Newcastle Nuns Moor Park, which was covered in the local press.
Within the University, at the request of the Estates Team, the Society developed and delivered a training session for members of staff to educate them about soil’s present on campus. This is aiding them to implement better management techniques for the green spaces around our University. In the spring of 2015, these events were acknowledged by the University with the Society making the shortlist for the ‘Pride of Newcastle: Environmental Champion’ award.
Towards the end of International Year of Soil, members of S5 were proud to represent AFRD by attending a panel debate at Westminster titled ‘A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself’ and hosting an informative display to engage with over attendees. It was during this session that an inquiry into soil health was officially launched by the Environmental Audit Committee, to which the Society is currently working to contribute a written submission on public engagement and education.
The Society rounded off the year by celebrating World Soils Day with a new “Christmas Tree Soils” activity at the Great North Museum Hancock, which involved children making their own soil then planting and decorating a small Christmas tree. This event was entirely made possible by funding from AFRD and attracted very positive feedback from both parents and children.
The members of S5 are now looking to take the legacy of the International Year of Soils into 2016 and beyond. Although the Society is still relatively young and limited in size and resources, there are plans to expand the range and frequency of educational activities for members of the public. It also intends to continue to hold monthly meetings with guest speakers for members and maintain an active social media presence.
By Georgina Walton and Kevin Stott