Soil Conservation and Protection in Europe 

Fifty-one individuals from twenty countries including NRCS Soil Survey Division Director Micheal Golden and Soil Classification and Standards National Leader Craig Ditzler recently participated at the Soil Conservation and Protection for Europe (SCAPE) international conference held in Selfoss, Iceland.  Ditzler and Golden presented a paper titled Assessment and Monitoring of United States Soil Resources that describes how the NRCS uses the soil survey, National Resources Inventory, and conservation programs to identify resource needs for the Nation and works with landowners to achieve conservation goals.  Other participants included scientists and environmental lawyers representing a wide range of organizations.

SCAPE’s goal is to encourage soil conservation so that environmental functions are protected, sustainable development is fostered, and draft policy documents developed that can be used by policy makers to achieve conservation and sustainable soil use goals.

The conference was hosted by the Soil Conservation Service (SCS) of Iceland, established in 1907 -- the oldest soil conservation organization in the world.  Iceland has experienced significant soil erosion due to deforestation and overgrazing -- similar to the 1930’s dustbowl in the USA. Although significant areas have been impacted by desertification, the SCS is working very successfully to control erosion and reclaim denuded, damaged areas. In addition to providing technical assistance to land managers, the SCS has a significant land reclamation research component as well as a program to grow, harvest, and distribute seeds for conservation plantings.  Lymegrass, Alaskan Lupine, and birch trees are significant species used in Icelandic reclamation work.
Your contact is Craig Ditzler at 402-437-4009.