Illinois Soil Classifiers Association

Illinois Soil Classifiers Association

Quote for Thought

“It is the land – founded on soil but interwoven with life and processes above and below it – that ultimately sustains us.”

H.H. Jansen, et al, CSA News, April 2011

Announcements

Updated 2/6/12

Vacancy Announcement
Wetland Soil Specialist

2012 Annual Meeting

4^th International Conference on Soil Classification

National Cooperative Soil Survey News – November 2011

From the Surface Down – 2^nd Edition

Wetland Soil Specialists (2) - Illinois Natural History Survey, Champaign, Illinois. Primary function is to identify and record hydric soil field indicators, make hydric soil determinations (according to the Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual (including applicable regional supplements and Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the US), interpret surface hydrology, and determine the boundaries of hydric soil units during on-site wetland determinations. Assist with the delineation of wetlands by analyzing soils and hydrology in IDOT project areas. Salary range is $35,000-$50,000, commensurate with experience. For full position announcement and to apply, create a candidate profile at https://jobs.illinois.edu and upload cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, and contact information for three references Deadline: February 24, 2012. If any questions, please email hroffice@inhs.illinois.edu. The University is an AA-EEO, www.inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu.

2012 Annual Meeting – Save the Date! The ISCA Annual Meeting is set for March 17^th at the Forbes Building, home of the Illinois Natural History Survey, on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Campus. Dr. Mike Konen from Northern Illinois University will be our featured speaker. Watch the web page and Newsletter for more details.

Soil Stories! – NRCS in South Carolina has released a film about people’s relationship with the soil. Check it out at: http://vimeo.com/channels/soilstories

Field Indicators of Hydric Soils in the United States Version 7.0, – The update of the Hydric Soils booklet was released in late 2010. Copies of the publication can be obtained through LANDCARE, the NRCS publications center by calling 888-526-3227. One may also download the publication by clicking the following link Hydric Soil Indicators ver 7.0 .

ASK a Soil Classifier – If you have a question (either general or specific) about soils and would like an answer from a Professional Soil Classifier, click on the following link and e-mail your question. Ask a Soil Classifier

Soil Classifier Mentor Program – If you desire experience in soil classification and wish to work with or correspond with a Professional Soil Classifier mentor, ISCA can help you get connected to a Soil Classifier in your local area. Click on the following link to express your interest: Soil Classifier Mentor Program

Soil Data on Google – The following link will take you to NCSS laboratory point database portrayed as hotlinks on Google Maps throughout the nation and world. The point database contains many of the lab samples that have been gathered and analyzed from way back. This is also posted on the opening page of http://soils.usda.gov

ISCA on Facebook: ISCA is now on Facebook. Come and be our friend. Post messages, questions, upload photos and join in on discussions about soil with your fellow ISCA members! Go to Facebook.com and login. Search for the group Illinois Soil Classifiers Association. We’re there! If you don’t have a Facebook account, now you have a reason to set one up. It’s easy. See you there.

ISCA Publishes “Understanding Soils” Brochure: A new brochure titled “Illinois – Understanding Soils” was published by ISCA in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in March 2010. This brochure provides an excellent synopsis of the soil forming factors, processes involved in soil formation and the major properties and features of soil. Click on the link above for a pdf version. These brochures are great for teachers, farmers, homeowners and others who want a more in-depth understanding of soils. Contact Roger Windhorn in Champaign, Jennifer Wollenweber in Aurora, or Mark Bramstedt in Watseka if you desire a quantity of these brochures to hand to your clients.

The 11^th Edition of the Keys to Soil Taxonomy as well as a summary of all changes for this new version of the Keys is available at: http://soils.usda.gov/technical/classification/tax_keys/ . The Keys are in PDF format and suitable for download and printing locally.