A quick look back at 2025

Last year saw membership rise again, now approaching 1000. We took part in events such as Rhizosphere6 and Eurosoil25, where we met many current and former members and spoke with people working across different areas of soil science. These meetings were useful for the Society and brought in around 70 new members.

We launched the Overseas Collaboration Award in honour of our former Patron, HRH the Duke of Gloucester. The aim is to support early career soil scientists from low and middle income countries by pairing them with BSSS mentors. We were also pleased that Kate Humble agreed to become the new Patron. Her involvement has already helped raise the visibility of soil science and she joined us on the Soil Matters podcast, which continues to grow in audience.

We kept a steady presence at familiar outreach events including Groundswell, the British Science Festival and Open Farm Sunday. Our Annual Conference in Manchester was the largest we have run, and the Early Careers Meeting beforehand showed that the future of soil science is in good hands.

The Year Ahead: 2026

State of Soil Science Report

A major piece of work for this year is the State of Soil Science report. It will set out where the discipline currently stands in the UK: the scale and aims of soil research, the level of funding available, the training routes that exist, the demand for skills and the areas where support is needed. A Steering Committee is being put together, but members across the Society will be invited to contribute.

The plan is to produce a clear document that draws together evidence rather than relying on scattered impressions. This will help us speak more confidently to government, funders and organisations who rely on soil science.

Education and Skills

Education is another priority. We will continue to broaden the Working with Soils courses, and we are exploring ways to link them to formal qualifications such as PG Certs or Apprenticeships.

We would also like to rebuild closer cooperation among soil science education institutions. There are not many of us teaching soil science and there is no benefit in working in isolation. With soil science often taught as a smaller part of wider degrees, students need good practical training that can be delivered consistently. The BSSS is well placed to help with this.

Preparing for the 80th Anniversary

Planning has begun for our 80th Anniversary in 2027. Part of this will be a focus on early women soil scientists whose work deserves to be more widely recognised. We are already collecting names and stories and welcome suggestions from members. I challenge you to find someone more inspiring than Frances Kay, the first female soil surveyor in the UK, who in the 1930s used to conduct surveys on a bicycle. Frances is the reason why soil maps are so beautifully coloured.

We will also form the scientific and local organising committees for Eurosoil2028. After the success of WCSS22 in Glasgow, we will reach a similar high bar in producing an exceptional international meeting.

Conferences and International Activities

The year started with the BSSS represented at the Oxford Farming Conference, where Ed Hinman and Khalid Mahmood spoke with delegates on soil policy and industry engagement. Internationally, Andy Morris and I plan to attend COP17 (UNCCD) in August and COP31 (Climate) in November to continue building our strong partnerships and ensure soil science remains part of wider environmental discussions.

Our regular external events will continue as usual. These include Open Farm Sunday and the Royal Highland Show in June, Groundswell in July, and the British Science Festival and Contamination Expo in September. These events remain important for speaking with farmers, students, teachers and the wider public.

The year will finish with the BSSS Annual Meeting in December in Aberdeen, run with the University of Aberdeen, the James Hutton Institute and SRUC. It should bring together a broad mix of soil specialists and a growing interest from allied disciplines, industry, and artists (yes, please come back 鈥� you were great last year).

Thanks

As always, the Society relies on its members. I want to thank everyone who contributes time to Council, Working with Soils courses and other activities. I am grateful to Past President Jack Hannam for her continued support, and to President鈥慐lect Lizzie Sagoo for stepping into her role with a huge amount of enthusiasm. I also want to thank Andy Morris and the Executive Team, whose work underpins much of what we do.

We have a full year ahead, and I look forward to seeing many of you at our events and meetings as we move through 2026.

2026 Highlights

• State of Soil Science report underway
• Expansion of Working with Soils courses and new training partnerships
• Planning begins for BSSS 80th Anniversary in 2027
• Early work on Eurosoil2028 committees
• Attendance planned for COP17 (UNCCD) and COP31 (Climate)
• Outreach at Open Farm Sunday, Royal Highland Show, Groundswell, British Science Festival and Contamination Expo
• BSSS Annual Meeting in December in Aberdeen

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Q: What does this 40-year milestone mean to you and the journal?

A: Reaching Soil Use and Management鈥檚 (SUM) 40th anniversary is a chance to reflect on how an idea in 1985 grew into a leading publication in applied soil science. Our founding Editor, Professor Alan Wild, challenged soil scientists to show that their research can be useful鈥攁 vision that still guides us. This milestone celebrates the readers and authors who have made SUM a leading journal in soil science, influencing practices and policy far beyond its initial scope.

Q: How has the journal evolved over the past four decades?

A: In the 1980s, SUM focused on issues like acidification, erosion, and fertilizer use. By the late 鈥�80s, our scope extended beyond Britain, with landmark studies such as soil erosion in China鈥檚 Loess Plateau. In the 1990s, we broadened our coverage to include soil survey, mapping, and land-use planning, and addressed global concerns like climate change and water quality. The 1997 special issue 鈥淪oils and the Greenhouse Effect鈥� was among the first to examine soils鈥� role in climate change.

The 2000s brought new emphasis, with SUM publishing research on sustainable land management and food security. We offered solutions for farmers, such as strategies to reduce water pollution and comparative studies on organic vs. conventional farming. SUM became truly international, publishing work from researchers in nearly 60 countries. In the 2010s, we embraced digital innovation, curated virtual special issues, and strengthened our role at the science-policy interface, notably with the 2015 鈥淪oil Sustainability & Policy鈥� supplement commissioned by the UK government. SUM also became a forum for debate, sparking conversations about defining and promoting 鈥渟oil health.鈥�

Q: What have been some of the most impactful papers or special issues?

A: Several contributions stand out:

• The 1989 study on China鈥檚 Loess Plateau brought global attention to soil erosion.
• The 1997 鈥淪oils and the Greenhouse Effect鈥� issue helped establish the importance of soil management in climate change.
• The 2000 nitrate leaching issue influenced farming practices and policy, contributing to measures like Europe鈥檚 nitrate vulnerable zones.
• The 2002 comparative analysis of organic vs. conventional farming bridged divides in agriculture.
• The 2015 鈥淪oil Sustainability & Policy鈥� supplement directly shaped UK environmental policy.
• The 2021 Soil Health Commentaries ignited dialogue about how to define and measure soil health.

These examples show SUM鈥檚 commitment to publishing work that advances knowledge and drives real-world impact.

Q: How has Soil Use and Management contributed to sustainable land management and environmental policy?

A: SUM has informed and shaped both practices and policies. Research has helped farmers adopt sustainable methods, such as improved crop rotations and erosion control. SUM articles have informed environmental regulations, including EU directives on nutrient management and guidelines for manure management. Our work on soil carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions has fed into climate action plans. SUM has also bridged science and policy, providing policymakers with authoritative reviews and ongoing dialogue through editorials and commentaries. Internationally, concepts like 鈥渟oil quality鈥� and 鈥渟oil health鈥� promoted in SUM have influenced global frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Q: What are your hopes for the journal鈥檚 future?

A: I hope SUM continues to be a medium for tackling challenges like climate change, soil degradation, food security, and biodiversity loss. We aim to further broaden our reach, encourage submissions from underrepresented regions, and reflect diverse expertise. By championing 鈥渟oil stewardship,鈥� we hope to raise awareness that caring for soil is central to sustainable development. We intend to promote interdisciplinary dialogue, and remain a place where researchers, farmers, and policymakers find value. Ultimately, I hope SUM continues to drive progress toward healthier soils, sustainable land use, and informed policies that benefit people.

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by Leo Condron,聽Lisa Lobry de Bruyn,聽Fiona Nicholson,聽David O’Connor,聽Adrian Unc,聽J. Webb

Celebrating 40 Years of Soil Use and Management – 快猫短视频 hear more from Leo Condron

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BSSS is the UK鈥檚 leading body in the area of soil science with a global reach. We strive to secure the future of soils by promoting an enhanced understanding of the critical importance of soils in delivering the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals and supplying knowledge through our science to support efforts to halt and repair soil degradation. We aim to make a positive difference in the sustainable management and long-term security of soils that is critical to solving the environmental and societal challenges we face today.

During their time as President Elect, the post-holder will be expected to play an active role within the Society and shadow the current President where required.

About the role

On becoming President (1 January 2029), the post-holder will be expected to:

• lead the trustees and members of the executive in the development of strategic plans for the charity
• provide leadership and support to the Executive Director and ensure that the charity is run in accordance with the decisions of the trustees, the charity鈥檚 governing documents and appropriate legislation
• ensure the business of the Society is discussed efficiently and effectively at Council, Board and Annual General Meetings
• represent the Society at functions, meetings and in the media in line with the agreed strategy
• maintain the trustees鈥� commitment to board renewal and succession planning, in line with best practice.

The applicant must be eligible to become a trustee and must be a Society member.

To see the full Job Description,

How to apply

We are accepting applications from the BSSS membership now and look forward to finding out who the next BSSS President Elect will be.

To apply, please submit your CV and a covering letter to admin@soils.org.uk

Deadline for applications: Friday 27 March 2026

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A Rich Programme

At our Annual Conference, we were delighted to welcome 200 delegates, building on our record total from the previous year. As you can see, it was a very rich and diverse programme which included an impact session, 4 discussion panel sessions, 2 keynotes, 28 oral presentations across 5 themes, 7 quickfire presentations, 60 posters with 3 poster sessions, 11 parallel sessions, an art and culture exhibition, the Soiols Use and Management anniversary networking event, 2 scientific and 1 cultural tour, and our EGM where we confirmed our new Early Careers Committee Chair. We also had high profile delegates and speakers such as Tony Juniper CBE (Chair of Natural England), Prof. Pete Smith (delivering the invited talk) and Dr. Nils Broothaerts (from the European Commission).

Integrated Perspectives

The Society is committed to the study of soil in its widest aspects and brings together those in academia, in industry, and all those working with, or with an interest in soils. The conference really is the embodiment of this. The five abstract themes of soils for people, soils for climate, soils for water, soils for life and advances for soils helped delegates to learn and understand more about soil in these wide aspects and allow them to take this into their own research and work. Poster sessions provided emerging researchers and practitioners the chance to share work on contemporary soil challenges, from microbial ecology to landscape-scale soil functions. The conference welcomed delegates from all over the UK and also internationally (from 4 continents), highlighting the importance and influence of the work that was on show. A popular highlight was our art and culture room that featured artworks, films, ceramics, a 鈥楽inging Compost鈥� set up and VR headsets.

Gala Dinner

At the end of the first day, we organised a Gala Dinner at Manchester Hall, where we were treated to music from musicians from the Royal Northern College of Music. We had 70 delegates at the event which featured a drinks reception and then a 3 course meal in the Goulbourne Suite, intertwined with Christmas and Manchester-themed music. We welcomed three guest speakers, all from our art and culture room. Daro Montag set the scene for the evening and explained about his work with Rothamsted and the Broadbalk archive. Later on, Karolina Trdlicova and Emma McKenna highlighted their social science projects and how scientists can engage the general public. The evening was lead by Prof. Paul Hallett and we presented our Outstanding Society Contribution Award or OSCA to Dr. Danni Robb for all her work for our Early Career members.

Scientific Tours

On Friday 4 December, we went on our scientific and cultural tours. The main scientific tour took place at Bold Moss in St Helens (part of the Mersey Forest) where delegates learnt about the soil management initiatives on the site. The tour was led by Professor John Handley, a peatland and habitat specialist, who shared his expertise on how healthy soils support biodiversity, store carbon and contribute to climate resilience. The second tour was at Manchester City Stadium where delegates got an exclusive look on the pitch from the head groundsman at the club, whilst also giving delegates a closer look at the state of the art equipment and seeing how it all works.

Outreach and Engagement

A key theme from both conferences was the social sciences element and how members can translate their science into something that the public can engage with. It was fascinating to see how art and culture could also fit into this space and was a different angle for people to consider. Prior to the conference, we were pleased to visit a local school in Manchester to provide an outreach session for Year 3 and 4 classes as part of their soils and rocks element of their curriculum. Lead by Dr. Lizzie Sagoo and Dr. Marta Cattin, we were able to engage the children by getting their hands dirty and learning about the importance of soil. The event was an opportunity to use one of our loan boxes and highlight the experiments that are featured.

Exhibitors and Sponsors

We had 3 headline sponsors, one of which was our journal, Soil Use and Management, that was celebrating their 40^th anniversary. We had 14 exhibitors, several of which also provided their own CPD parallel sessions which really enhanced our programme and was well received by the delegates. Thank you to all our partners and sponsors for supporting the event and providing further engagement for the delegates. It was great to be showcasing exclusive sessions at the conference such as the LandIS Open Access National Soils Portal Launch which was an important industry update for stakeholders and members alike.

Supporting Early Career Members

The start of the week featured an engaging Early Careers event with workshops and presentations to aid the development and learning of 100 Early Careers members. Sessions on Effective Communication, Soil Classification and Description, as well as Career Pathways in Soil Science equipped many aspiring soil academics and practitioners with the skills and advice needed to thrive in the industry.

Soils are increasingly recognised as foundational for global sustainability. With mounting policy focus on land use and soil protection, the BSSS Annual Conference provided a vital forum to share research, build partnerships, and inspire actionable solutions across sectors.

Researchers left with fresh ideas on:

• strengthening soil health monitoring,
• integrating soil data into environmental decision-making,
• and applying interdisciplinary approaches to complex soil issues.

Whether you鈥檙e a soil scientist or new to the Society, the conference reaffirmed a simple truth: healthy soils are indispensable for a resilient and sustainable future.

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With the UK consultation on a new approach to land use highlighting the need to protect our most productive agricultural land and enhance food security, the role of soil health is more critical than ever. Across the world, there is growing recognition鈥攆rom bodies such as the UK EFRA Committee鈥攖hat soil health should be treated with the same priority as water and air. This conference will provide a platform to discuss these pressing issues, with a focus on:

• The role of soil in climate adaptation, flood mitigation, land remediation and biodiversity
• The policy landscape surrounding soil protection and land use
• The latest research and innovations supporting long-term soil resilience

Programme

The exciting and diverse programme will feature keynote speakers and experts across the 2 days. Our programme features opening remarks from Tony Juniper (Chair of Natural England), the BSSS invited lecture from Pete Smith (Professor of Soils & Global Change at the University of Aberdeen), an impact session with William Blake (University of Plymouth), Diana Mangalagiu (University of Oxford) and Bruce Lascelles (IUSS President-Elect), a flood and water session from David Robinson (UKCEH) and David Tompkins (Associate Director at WSP), and also a regenerative agriculture session with Pippa Chapman (University of Leeds), Ruth Wade (University of Leeds), Hannah Cooper (University of Nottingham), and Philip Wright (Wright Resolutions Ltd). This is in addition to other sessions on the EU Mission Soil, Land Remediation, and the role of arts and culture. You can find all the details in our conference programme.

Conference Programme

Abstracts and Presentations

The scientific committee accepted oral and poster abstracts across five topics, linked to the conference theme, which includes:

1. Soils for People聽[Covering all aspects of Soil Health, Soil Functions, Indicators, Metrics, Ecosystem Service Delivery, Soil Biodiversity, and Sustainable Soils in Different Land Uses.]
2. Soils for Climate聽[Covering aspects such as Net Zero, Carbon Sequestration, Peatlands, Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Mitigation, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fluxes]
3. Soils for Water聽[Covering aspects such as Nutrient and Water management, Soil Erosion, and Nutrient and Water Use Efficiency.]
4. Advances for Soils聽[Covering aspects such as Sensors and Instrumentation, New techniques, AI and data, Modelling, and Decision support tools.]
5. Soils for Life聽[Soil, social sciences and culture, Interdisciplinary work, Stakeholder engagement, Participatory research and citizen science, and Art and culture.]

We look forward to hearing innovative research developments in soil science from BSSS members and partners from across the UK and the world.

Outreach

We will be bringing an art and culture room to the conference again where delegates can interact with artists and researchers showcasing their work, and engage with soil science in a different way. The room will feature work from Jo Pearl, Daro Montag, Paul Granjon, Emma McKenna and Karolina Trdlicova. We will also be hosting a talking soil bench at the venue which features an inbuilt speaker system that can play a sequence of audio tracks to convey information about the local area and soils in general. In this case, users will be able to go on an intriguing journey to listen and learn about the fascinating soils beneath their feet. As part of the conference, we will also be looking to deliver an outreach session at a local school to highlight the importance of soil and engaging the children in several activities from our loan box.听

Gala Dinner

There will be a Gala Dinner on the first day of the Annual Conference on聽Wednesday 3 December from 7:30pm – 12am which will be held at Manchester Hall. This will consist of a 3 course meal and a drinks reception, plus entertainment and awards in one of the most uniquely historic venues in Manchester, providing an authentic experience for the conference.听

This is set to be a fabulous event and a great opportunity to sit down and network with other delegates. It will also be the perfect way to celebrate the work of the Society with a selection of awards and speeches over the course of the night. Tickets are still available so even if you aren’t able to join us for the conference, you can still boom your place at this exclusive event.听

Sponsors

We are delighted to be working with several sponsors who are supporting us on the conference.

Headline Sponsors

Our headline sponsors are Soil Use and Management (one of the Society’s journals), Elementar, and Leco.

Session Sponsors

Our session sponsors are: Cranfield University and LandIS, Van Walt, AMAST Network, and Royal Eijkelkamp.听Look out for their presentations in the parallel room at the conference.

Exhibitors

All of our headline and session sponsors will be exhibiting along with: The Dutch Scientist, Umwelt-Ger盲te-Technik GmbH (UGT), Burleigh Dodds and CABI.

Supporters and Partners

We are delighted to be working partnership with Manchester Accommodation BID in the delivery of the event, and would like to thank them for their continued support and expertise. Land Drainage Consultancy Ltd (LDC) is our lanyard sponsors for both the Annual Conference and Early Careers Conference.

Tickets

Tickets are still available to purchase with 1 or 2 days options, and exclusive discounts for BSSS members. We look forward to seeing a record attendance in Manchester.

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As the world prepares for 2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Bel茅m, Brazil (10鈥�21 November鈥�2025) 鈥� the so鈥慶alled 鈥淣ature鈥疌OP鈥� 鈥� attention is turning to one of Earth鈥檚 most powerful yet overlooked climate solutions: the soil beneath our feet.

Set at the gateway to the Amazon rainforest, COP30 will provide the world with a unique platform to discuss climate solutions 鈥渇irmly rooted in the heart of the Amazon.鈥� Fittingly, this year鈥檚 global conversation around climate action, food systems, and nature鈥慴ased solutions is being enriched by a renewed focus on soil health, regenerative agriculture, and carbon financing as vital pathways to achieving Net鈥痁ero.

To advance this dialogue, the 快猫短视频 (BSSS) is hosting a two鈥憄art webinar series titled 鈥淪oils as a Pathway to Net鈥痁ero鈥� and 鈥淩ole of Indigenous People on Soil Health Management.鈥� The series brings together scientists, farmers, policymakers, and sustainability leaders to explore how healthy soils can drive emission reductions, enhance resilience, and create fair financial opportunities for those who steward the land.

The Ground Beneath Net鈥痁ero

Soil health lies at the core of our planet鈥檚 stability 鈥� regulating water, cycling nutrients, supporting biodiversity, and storing more carbon than the atmosphere and vegetation combined. Estimates show that global soil organic carbon stocks to 2鈥痬 depth are about 2,400鈥疓迟鈥疌 鈥� roughly three times the amount found in vegetation (Minasny鈥痚t鈥痑l., 2017; Biogeosciences 2022).

Yet decades of degradation, intensive agriculture, and land鈥憉se change have left much of the world鈥檚 soil carbon depleted. Studies suggest that about 133鈥痓illion鈥痶onnes of carbon (鈮�8% of global soil carbon stocks) may have been lost from the top two metres of soil since the dawn of agriculture (

Soil restoration is not just an environmental issue but a climate imperative. Improving soil structure, increasing organic matter, and integrating regenerative farming practices such as cover鈥慶ropping, minimum tillage, organic amendments, and intercropping can lock away carbon for decades while improving yields and biodiversity. Research indicates that croplands have additional soil organic carbon (SOC) storage potential of about 29鈥�65鈥疨g鈥疌, equating to 3鈥�7 years of current global emissions under best鈥慶ase scenarios (Padarian,鈥痚t al., 2022)

There is a need to understand the role of livestock in maintaining soil fertility and nutrient cycling, the balance between land use and climate goals, and the need for region鈥憇pecific soil management approaches. Healthy soils don鈥檛 just feed plants 鈥� they feed economies, ecosystems, and communities through clean water, clean air, food and ecosystem services.

Financing the Transition: The Role of Carbon Markets

While the science is clear, the economics of transition remain challenging. A central question from the second webinar will be: Who pays for regenerative agriculture?

For most farmers 鈥� especially smallholders 鈥� the cost of adopting regenerative practices can be a financial risk, prohibitive without supportive finance or market mechanisms. There is a need to explore public鈥憄rivate co鈥慺inancing models to accelerate change.

The growing Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) could offer a major opportunity 鈥� but one that must evolve. According to a recent analysis, the VCM grew four鈥慺old in value from 2020 to 2021 (to about US$2鈥痓illion), with expectations of reaching US$10鈥�40鈥痓illion by 2030 (PwC / IETA Survey Report-2023). There is also a need to develop a transparent system of carbon accounting, backed by robust Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) frameworks to ensure that carbon credits from soil and nature鈥慴ased projects are credible, traceable, and fairly priced.

Today, majority of the farmers receive only a fraction of the true value of the carbon and biodiversity gains they deliver. By improving MRV, strengthening data integrity, and developing fair pricing and incentives, soil carbon projects can attract meaningful investments while rewarding those who make the transition possible 鈥� the farmers.

聽Regenerative Agriculture and Nature鈥態ased Solutions

Regenerative agriculture and nature鈥慴ased solutions (NbS) are central to Net鈥痁ero discussions 鈥� not as buzzwords, but as practical climate tools. From crop鈥憀ivestock integration to composting and agroforestry, these approaches are restoring soil function, reducing chemical dependence, and rebuilding local ecosystems.

Such methods are already proving their worth: increasing carbon sequestration, improving water use efficiency, and boosting farmer resilience against climate extremes. For example, even a 0.4% annual increase in the global soil carbon reservoir would store an additional 6鈥�10鈥疓t鈥疌 per year 鈥� a significant portion of current anthropogenic carbon emissions (OECD. 2022. Soil Carbon Sequestration by Agriculture). When scaled through transparent green鈥慺inance systems and supportive policy frameworks, these practices could make agriculture a Net鈥疌arbon鈥疭ink rather than a source.

Soil Health at the Heart of the Net鈥痁ero Journey

The planned BSSS webinar series will highlight a powerful message:

鈥淭he road to Net鈥痁ero starts in the soil.鈥�

To make that journey successful, the world must invest in:

• Soil health as a foundation: Integrate restoration and regenerative practices into all land management systems to enhance carbon storage, biodiversity, and ecosystem resilience.
• Transparent carbon accounting: Implement robust MRV frameworks to ensure credibility, traceability, and trust in soil carbon credits.
• Fair financial mechanisms: Provide incentives and accessible financing for farmers to adopt regenerative practices and secure sustainable livelihoods.
• Science-policy alignment: Embed soil health metrics into national and corporate climate targets to drive coordinated action.
• Indigenous knowledge for restoration: Leverage traditional practices such as crop rotation, intercropping, and agroforestry to maintain soil fertility, restore degraded lands, and support carbon sequestration.
• Indigenous stewardship and resilience: Promote holistic land management that balances production with ecosystem conservation, reduces erosion, and strengthens long-term climate resilience.

Looking Ahead to Bel茅m: A Defining Moment

COP30 marks a symbolic return to Brazil 鈥� the site of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, where the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was born. Now, over three decades later, the world鈥檚 attention returns to the Amazon, with Brazil鈥檚 upcoming launch of the Tropical Forests Forever Facility poised to anchor public鈥憄rivate financing for tropical forest and soil protection.

As the BSSS webinar series highlights, the success of COP30鈥檚 鈥淣ature鈥疌OP鈥� vision depends on reconnecting global climate goals with the living systems that sustain them. Healthy soils are the bridge between forests and farms, carbon and communities, policy and practice.

From Science to Society: A Call to Action

Without healthy soils, climate resilience and food security will remain out of reach. But with coordinated action 鈥� linking science, policy, finance, and farming 鈥� soils can become the foundation of a just, regenerative, and carbon鈥憂eutral future.

As we look toward Bel茅m, one message resounds from the soil鈥憇cience community:

To restore nature and reach Net鈥痁ero, we must start from the ground up 鈥� with living soils at the heart of climate action.

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Dr. Brian J. Chambers made a profound and lasting impact on the field of soil science through nearly three decades of dedicated research and mentorship. Brian鈥檚 journey began with a first-class honours degree in soil science from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne which gave him a foundation for his career at ADAS that spanned almost 29 years. He began as a junior scientist in Wolverhampton and then escalated to his appointment as Head of Soils and Nutrients in 2009.

He is a respected figure in both the UK and European soil science communities. Over the course of his career Brian published over 300 scientific papers and played an active role in numerous societies and organisations. He served as President and Fellow of the Institute of Professional Soil Scientists (IPSS) and was instrumental in achieving Chartered Status for members of the 快猫短视频, helping to establish soil science as a recognised profession alongside other chartered disciplines.

The acknowledgement of Brian鈥檚 work is held through a grant established in his name by the 快猫短视频. This is open to students, early career scientists, and professionals based in the UK whose positions require the knowledge of soil science, nutrient, or manure management is key to sustainable agriculture. The most recent grant was awarded to a student in Dehradun, India. With this support, the student was able to attend the VIIIth International Forestry Summer Course in Indonesia, making an incredible impact on their studies. They participated in lectures, workshops, and field activities. Key highlights included field visits to Indonesian tropical forests, guest lectures by leading environmental scientists, hands-on workshops on carbon accounting, and interactive cultural exchange sessions.

The Brian Chambers Grant also helps fund participation in our 鈥淲orking with Soils鈥� training courses. A Practical Introduction to Soils in England and Wales is a two-day course held at Shuttleworth College in Bedfordshire. This course is designed to build students鈥� confidence and knowledge of soils through both practical and theoretical study. Attendees are provided with valuable resources, such as The Fragile Skin and the Soil Survey Field Handbook, to support the theoretical aspects of the course. By the end of the course, participants should understand the nature of soils and how they develop, be able to produce soil profiles, understand the structure of the national soil classification system, and more. Another two-day course we offer is A Practical Introduction to the Role of Soils in Catchment Management, which focuses on the application of soil science to improve water quality. Like our other courses, it combines presentations, fieldwork, and guided practical sessions.

To learn more about the courses, click here.

Brian also has an award to commemorate his time as a council member at the International Fertiliser Society; this award is received annually by scientists who have presented outstanding research relevant to agriculture. The 鈥楤rian Chambers award鈥� has been an active award since 2015 shortly after his passing.

Brian鈥檚 journey began with a first-class honours degree in soil science from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, where his passion for Newcastle United football club grew at an immense rate. In 1985, he was awarded his PhD following his research on 鈥楲ime Requirement Evaluation and the Effects of Lime on Soil Physical Properties鈥� from Aberdeen University, this was shortly followed by his start at ADAS where he studied a vast range of topics for a variety of funders.

Brian鈥檚 early work included research on the physical properties of horticultural composts and assessing the extent of soil water erosion in lowland England and Wales, following on from this he then dedicated his time to assessing the environmental impacts of a range of organic materials recycled to agricultural land in terms of nutrient losses to water ammonia volatilization, nitrous oxide emissions and pathogen behaviour. Another area Brian studied was the nutrient value of manures, as well as other research interests including heavy metals in manures and biosolids, the impacts of organic materials on soil quality and fertility, the effects of soil structural degradation on agricultural production and flooding risk, and the soil properties important in determining the plant species composition of lowland grass and heaths together with the management required to recreate and maintain these diverse communities.

His deep knowledge of farming pushed him to solve complex challenges within sustainable agriculture, he had the aim of harvesting food production while reducing the pollution of soil, water and air. His passion for practical, applied research made him a well-respected scientist, and his contributions continue to shape the future of soil science today.

References

Other references

Brain Chambers Soil Fund – Forestry Summer Course – 快猫短视频

Brian Chambers Soils Fund – 快猫短视频

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The 快猫短视频 (BSSS) is delighted to announce that we have been chosen as the host of the EUROSOIL conference in 2028, which is due to be held in Edinburgh. Following a presentation from BSSS President, Prof. Paul Hallett, and Executive Director Andy Morris, at the 2025 EUROSOIL conference in Seville, Spain; BSSS was selected by a unanimous vote to host the next conference. The conference is set to take place on 4-7 September 2028.

We wanted to congratulate the Spanish Society of Soil Science (Sociedad Espa帽ola de la Ciencia del Suelo or SECS) for delivering a fantastic conference in 2025 and we will look to build on this and continue this legacy in 2028.

What is EUROSOIL?

EUROSOIL is the official meeting of the European Confederation of Soil Science Societies (ECSSS) and is held every four years. It is among Europe鈥檚 most important Soil Sciences events and offers a fantastic opportunity for knowledge transfer among the Soil Sciences community.

About BSSS

The 快猫短视频 (BSSS) is an established international membership organisation committed to the study of soil in its widest aspects. The Society brings together those working within academia, practitioners implementing soil science in industry and all those working with, or with an interest in soils.

This is a fantastic opportunity for the organisation to bring together the soil science community and showcase the amazing work being developed in this sector across the world.

鈥淲e are extremely excited and pleased to bring Eurosoil to Edinburgh in 2028. 聽We hope to continue the legacy of Eurosoil 2025 by welcoming our International colleagues to the fantastic city of Edinburgh and share their latest cutting-edge research, engage in knowledge exchange and inform policy makers around the critical discipline of soil science.鈥�

 

Prof. Paul Hallett and Andy Morris, BSSS President and Executive Director

The Location

EUROSOIL 2028 will be held in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland (UK). Edinburgh is one of Europe鈥檚 most compact and walkable capital cities. It is a global leader in sustainable tourism and green initiatives with City-wide Net Zero targets and green transport options. Edinburgh is also a UNESCO World Heritage city, renowned for its history, culture, and architecture. We are confident that an Edinburgh bid will not only attract a record number of delegates from the UK but also internationally. It has been ranked the most popular destination in the UK for eight years running for hosting UK and International Association Meetings (ICCA, 2019).

The Venue

The conference is planned to be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC). The EICC is a world-class venue located in the heart of Scotland鈥檚 capital. Purpose-built for conferences and events, the EICC offers modern, flexible space and cutting-edge technology to support events of all sizes and formats.

The EICC is committed to sustainability, with a strong track record in responsible event delivery.听 It has hosted many prestigious international events and offers a seamless delegate experience in one of Europe鈥檚 most inspiring cities.

Creating a Legacy

As part of the bid to host EUROSOIL 2028 in Edinburgh, the 快猫短视频 (BSSS) is collaborating closely with our Professional Conference Organiser (PCO), EICC and the Edinburgh Convention Bureau to maximise the event鈥檚 legacy potential and societal impact.

These partners have expressed a strong commitment to co-creating a city-wide activation strategy that aligns with the core objectives of the congress, while enhancing public awareness and strengthening the visibility of soil science across diverse audiences.

A key component of this collaboration is developing a strategic legacy program to help define, plan, and evaluate impact. This programme will include a tailored measurement and reporting framework that allows both BSSS and the European Confederation of Soil Science Societies (ECSS) to identify clear legacy goals and track their achievement over time.

The proposed legacy strategy will enable EUROSOIL 2028 to contribute meaningfully not only to the scientific community, but also to the broader societal and environmental landscape of the host city, Edinburgh.

More details will follow in the coming months including how to register, partner and get involved in the event.

For further details or enquiries, please contact Andrew Morris at andrewmorris@soils.org.uk

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In June, Andy Morris (Executive Director) and I attended Rhizosphere6 in Edinburgh where the BSSS was a sponsor, and we had our own stand.听 This international conference brought together 400 specialists from across the world to discuss the latest innovations on the below-ground world of plants and how they interact with soil. 聽Diverse research was presented including the search for new crop varieties that perform better under drought or reduced fertilisers, threats from climate change, food security and plant-soil processes that drive terrestrial biodiversity. 聽BSSS members, including former President Liz Baggs and me, were active as the organising committee, student helpers, session chairs and speakers. We had positive feedback on the BSSS from many delegates and took details of a few dozen new potential members.听 We also re-connected with several lapsed members and advocated the relevance of the BSSS to anyone working on soil.

Off the back of Rhizosphere6, I鈥檓 Guest Editing a Special Issue of the European Journal of Soil Science. 聽Titled 鈥�The role of the rhizosphere in improving soil鈥�, it will build on Peter Gregory鈥檚 Russell Review where he pondered 鈥淎re plant roots only 鈥渋n鈥� soil or are they 鈥渙f鈥� it?鈥�. 聽Its open to all for submissions by 30 October and to find out more, .

On behalf of our journals, Jenni Dungait (EJSS Editor) and I attended the European Geosciences Union (EGU) in Vienna at the end of April. I was a last-minute stand-in for Leo Condron, Soil Use and Management鈥檚 Editor (he had a family emergency due to a soil sampling related injury).听 We had stints at the Wiley stand where we publicised our journals, got feedback from potential authors, chatted with the editors of other journals and discussed journal strategy with our publisher. It was great to see so many BSSS members at the EGU, many of whom organised sessions or were solicited speakers.

Early July saw many of the BSSS Executive and members at Groundswell, the Regenerative Agriculture 鈥楩estival鈥� held in Hertfordshire. This is the only event I know of that features both a soil pit and a rave.听 Alongside our Corporate Members ADAS, farmers, specialists and the public got their hands dirty, learning and conversing about the fascinating properties of soils and how they can be protected through better practices.

Natural England hosted their Soil Health Conference in Sheffield in July. One session focussed on training opportunities at schools, universities and via our Working with Soils courses to ensure the next crop of trained soil scientists.听 We held the AGM at the end of the meeting, welcoming John Hollis and David Hopkins as new Honorary Members, and electing several new volunteers to Council.听 The following day the BSSS Board held a workshop to discuss our 80^th Anniversary celebrations, to be held in 2027!聽 We came up with many plans, including honouring the achievements of our members over the years.听 If you have any ideas on how to mark this important occasion, please let us know.

Our next big activity in Eurosoil being held in Seville this September. BSSS will have a stand and we hope to see you there. We have a panel session comprising 5 major projects either funded by the EU or national monitoring programmes. This will have a dual purpose for projects to demonstrate their exciting science and relevance to protecting soils, and as a networking event to bring projects together. It is being held on 10 September, 17:30鈥�18:30, in BAHIA Hall (Auditorium D). At the conference, the BSSS will be bidding to host Eurosoil in 2028.

So, it鈥檚 been another busy few months at the BSSS.听 With our involvement at various events, securing Kate Humble as our new Patron, contributing to several government enquiries related to soil health, and the growth of our journals, 2025 is turning out to be a successful year!

Prof. Paul Hallett

President

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Kate succeeds His Royal Highness, The Duke of Gloucester, who served as the Society鈥檚 Patron for eight years.听Kate Humble is an award-winning broadcaster and writer who will be well-known to many. As a presenter of factual programmes for UK and international TV networks, she has built a strong reputation as a trusted and respected voice on nature and wildlife, the environment, and rural affairs.

The Society continues to grow and champion soil science both in the UK and internationally, and Kate will play a key role in raising awareness of the importance of soils to new audiences, including their role in combatting climate change.

Kate writes regularly for a number of publications on sustainable travel, rural issues, and nature-based solutions for mental health and well-being. She also lives on a smallholding in Wales and is keen to engage more deeply with the important topic of soil, which aligns with her work and values.听Her appointment comes at a significant time for BSSS, as the Society continues to expand and strengthen its international presence, following its recent selection as a Civil Society Organisation panel member to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

Kate Humble said:聽聽

鈥淗ealthy soil is the unsung hero of our environment 鈥� it supports life and connects us to the natural world. I鈥檓 thrilled to become Patron of the 快猫短视频 and to help shine a light on this vital, yet often overlooked, resource.鈥�

Professor Paul Hallett, BSSS President, said:聽聽

鈥淲e are delighted that Kate Humble has accepted the role of Patron of the 快猫短视频. When considering a successor to our former Patron, His Royal Highness The Duke of Gloucester, Kate was the clear and unanimous choice. Her exceptional talent for communicating science and nature to the public, her passionate advocacy for numerous charities, and her boundless enthusiasm for the importance of soils make her the perfect fit for this role.鈥�

Notes for Press:

The 快猫短视频 (BSSS) is an established international membership organisation, with approximately 800 members, that is committed to the study of soil in its widest aspects. The Society brings together those working within academia, practitioners implementing soil science in industry and all those working with, or with an interest in soils.

BSSS promotes research and education, both academically and in practice, and build collaborative partnerships to help safeguard our soil for the future.听The 快猫短视频 is the UK鈥檚 leading body in the area of Soil Science with a global reach.

Our Mission is to support and promote the discovery of new knowledge of soils and their role in global sustainability.听We will achieve our mission and vision by:

• promoting scientific study and discovery of new knowledge about soil and ensuring it is accessible to a wide audience,
• influencing policy and legislation through evidence-based advocacy,
• supporting our members to develop and continue professional and academic excellence.

Our Vision is to ensure sustainable soils for people and planet.

• BSSS was formed in 1947 by a number of eminent British soil scientists
• BSSS was formed with the aims: to advance the study of soil, and to be open to membership from all those with an interest in the study and uses of soil.

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