Welcome to the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists Pages
The Institute of Professional Soil Scientists (IPSS) is the professional body of the British Society of Soil Science and aims to promote and enhance the status of soil science and allied disciplines.
Together with the British Society of Soil Science our aims are:
- Improving soil education and developing soil scientists
- Supporting standards of practice
- Promoting the use of soil science
The IPSS is lead by a Committee which overseas the governance and running of the professional body in accordance with the terms of reference.
Latest Events
WSDG: Using Quality Compost in Landscape Regeneration
March 7 — March 7
The Welsh Soils Discussion Group of the British Society of Soil Science , Institute of Professional Soil Scientists (IPSS) Wales Region and WRAP Cymru (Waste & Resources Action Programme in Wales) are hosting an important training event on the use of quality compost in landscape and regeneration which is FREE to Society Members.The event takes place on Wednesday 7th March at The Works, Ebbw Vale, in Blaenau Gwent and can be counted towards IPSS members' CPD.
Event Flyer 
Challenges for Scotland's Biodiversity Conservation: From the Soils to the Skies
March 8 — March 9
Taking place at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh on the 8th and 9th of March, 2012, this meeting is an exciting joint venture between the British Ecological Society, the British Society of Soil Science, and the Scottish Government's Biodiversity Science Group.
Its main aim is to help bridge the gap between excellent ecological science and the needs of policy makers. It will focus in particular on the current revision of Scotland's Biodiversity Strategy, providing an important forum where scientists and policymakers working on biodiversity issues in Scotland can meet, discuss areas where excellent science is needed, and explore opportunities and objectives for future work.
Download the programme [Adobe PDF, 115 Kb] and registration form [MS Word, 110 Kb] for this meeting.
Using Compost in Landscape and Regeneration: The Olympic Park
March 15
The Institute of Professional Soil Scientists (IPSS) and WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) are hosting an important FREE training event on the use of quality compost in landscape and regeneration. The event takes place at the Olympic Park, Stratford, London and can be counted towards IPSS members' CPD.
SWSDG Spring Meeting
March 20
Soils, Geodiversity and Soils Educational Site Networks
Soil science is poorly recognised by existing designated sites, and can be side-lined in environmental education. This important meeting explores whether linking soils with geodiversity conservation efforts could help to develop networks of educational soil science sites, to act as a framework for understanding the role of soils in earth sciences and wider society. Topics will include
- the place of soils in geodiversity
- identifying soils sites for educational purposes
- the role of local level designations in protecting and promoting soil sites
SSDG: Compost Good Practice
March 21 — March 21
The objectives of this meeting are to promote the WRAP Good Practice Guide for the use of Quality Compost in Landscape and Regeneration, and to provide a forum for scientists and stakeholders to discuss recent developments in compost production and application. During the afternoon there will be a short trip out to a site (). Lunch will be provided. The meeting will be held at the James Hutton Institute's Dundee site, with a field trip (5 minutes by bus) to a field site.
Event Flyer
Planet Under Pressure 2012
March 26 — March 29
BSSS spearheaded a session on soils at this major global conference. "Earth under pressure: maximising the value of soil" will look at how more effective management and better understanding of soil can address the growing challenges of food security, water shortages, biodiversity loss, climate change and flooding. Further information at: http://www.planetunderpressure2012.net/session_black.asp. Abstract deadline 16 September 2011.
SEESOIL Meeting - Soil Functions and Land Use Change
March 27 — March 27
The 2012 SEESOIL annual meeting will be hosted by the University of Reading. The meeting will focus on the impact of land use change on soil functions, such as carbon and nutrient storage and fluxes, as well as water storage, flooding, erosion and biodiversity. The meeting will consist of two parts, a morning session of talks and an afternoon field trip to the University experimental farm at Sonning, where soil profiles under different land uses will be discussed.
EVENT FLYER
Agriculture and the Environment IX
April 3 — April 4
4th International Congress Eurosoil 2012
July 2 — July 6
Annual Meeting 2012: Soil Science and Food Security
September 4 — September 5
The 2012 annual meeting of the British Society of Soil Science will be hosted by the University of Nottingham. The meeting will focus on the required contributions and potential opportunities for soil science with respect to Global Food Security. The forecasted increasingly variable weather patterns will influence the environment and its ability to support sustainable food production. Major challenges include water scarcity, a decrease availability of key inputs to food production, managing carbon and differing local impacts of climate change. Soil science is at the heart of all these issues. The meeting will consist of two days with four sessions strongly related to the main theme and a an un-themed session where presentations from any aspect of soil science are encouraged.
This 2 day meeting will invite oral and poster abstracts under the following themes:
- soil management and crop production
- soil protection, conservation and remediation
- soil science and human health
- managing soil science and climate change
- Open session
Latest news
State of Soil Europe
This report published by the JRC and the European Environment Agency provides a comprehensive overview of soil resources and degradation processes.
New survey finds public want farmers to be custodians of the landscape for future generations
A new survey commisioned by the CPRE finds well over four out of five British adults (84 per cent) believe that farmers have a responsibility to look after the landscape and wildlife for future generations.
Getting the best from our land - A land use strategy for Scotland Action Plan December 2011
Action Plan outlining how the Proposals in the Land Use Strategy will be taken forward. Includes information on how the Principles for Sustainable Land Use will be mainstreamed.
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2011/12/19161736/0
Commitments in the Action Plan to deliver the 13 Proposals detailed in the Strategy include:
- Development of an Agri-Renewables Strategy in summer 2012
- Submission of advice from the Woodland Expansion Advisory Group in June 2012
- Water environment mapping by SEPA during 2012
- Creation of an Environmental Crime Taskforce in spring 2012
- The identification of pilot areas for peatland restoration
http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2011/12/21113113
Features:
EJSS Photographic Competition
This year's EJSS Photographic competition 1st prize was split equally between Dr O Knox and Dr Mataix-Solera for their collections entitled "Vertisols of the slopes and plains" and "The colours of the age" respectivly. 2nd prize went to Dr Louhelainen for his collection archeological inspired pictures.Thank you to all who entered this years competition - don't forget to get snapping for next years entries!
Society Awards: Dr Rob Parkinson
Dr Rob Parkinson, University of Plymouth, was presented with a long service award by Society president Dr Helaina Black. Rob has been an integral part of the Society Council and the South West regional group for more years than he would like me to mention. Thank you for all your help and support over the years.
Society Awards: Dr Bob Rees
Dr Bob Rees, SAC was given a long service award at the recent Society Conference dinner. The award was accepted by Christine Watson on behalf of Bob. Bob has been a member of the BSSS Council and heavily involved with the Society for more than 12 years. Thank you for all your hard work Bob!
Society Awards: Prof. Keith Smith
Margaret Oliver accepted a long service and outstanding contribution award on behalf of Professor Keith Smith. Keith is a past president of the Society and most recently deputy Editor of the European Journal of Soil Science. Keith you will be missed as part of the EJSS editorial team thank you for your many many years of service to the Society.
IPSS Launch Working with Soils
Defra Deputy Chief Scientific Advisor, Dr Miles Parker, helped launch Working with Soil. Devised by the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists (IPSS), this new professional competency scheme identifies minimum qualifications, skills and knowledge for practising soils scientists carrying out a range of key tasks. Miles stated that 'Defra welcomes initiatives, such as the IPSS Working with Soils Competency Statements, that aim to improve the quality of professional soils advice'.
Annual Meeting 2011
Thank you to all of you that attended our 2011 meeting this week in London and made it such a success. More pictures will follow shortly on the Society Facebook pages.
Soil Profile: Professor Keith Goulding FI Soil Sci, CSci
Works for: Rothamsted Research
Education: BSc Chemistry and Mathematics (Exeter University)
MSc in Soil Chemistry (University of Reading)
PhD in ion exchange in soil (Imperial College, London)
Personal Interests: bird watching, walking
Burning Ambition: Another academic paper published in Nature
Soil Profile:Mr Padraic Mulroy MI Soil Sci, CSci
Works for: Mulroy Environmental
Education: B.Sc. (Microbiology), NUI Galway
M.Sc., University of Florida (Soil and Water Science)
Personal interests: sports (rowing, rugby, sailing), reading historic novels
Burning Ambition: Secure the future of my company
Soil Profile: Mr Tim O'Hare MI Soil Sci, CSci
Works for: Tim O'Hare Associates
Education: BSc Geography, Masters in Pedology, Soil Survey and Land Evaluation at Redding University
Personal interests: Family and sport. Running, triathlons, surfing, rugby.
Eurosoil 2012 Call for abstracts
The 4th International congress of the European Confederation of Soil Science Societies (ECSSS), 2-6 July 2012 Bari, Italy. Call for Abstracts
© IPSS 2011
The Institute of Professional Soil Scientists is a trading name of the British Society of Soil Science which is a limited company, registered in England and Wales and a Registered Charity No. 1134456.