California Soil Scientist Named National Park Service Liaison

Contact:
Anita Brown (530) 792-5644

DAVIS, Calif., July 3, 2007—Susan Southard, USDA Soil Scientist in Davis, California, has been selected for a newly created position as liaison for soil survey work on National Parks throughout the Nation.

Southard's agency, USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)—formerly the Soil Conservation Service—has lead responsibility for conducting soil surveys nationwide. These surveys create soil maps that provide information on soil types for their best uses and limitations.

The National Park Service (NPS), part of the U.S. Department of Interior, is cooperating with NRCS to conduct soil mapping on parks across the nation. The surveys will give NPS data to meet emerging needs including better management of park roads, trails, camping sites, and protection of park animal and plant species. Soil surveys are part of the Park Service’s ongoing Natural Resource Challenge to inventory and monitor all park resources including soils.

"Most people know soil for its agronomic qualities; that our food grows in it," says Southard. "But soil is part of other experiences we have. Soil is underfoot when we hike a trail in a National Park, pitch our tent or stop at a scenic overlook. Soils are Park landscapes. This position is an exciting opportunity to make the importance of soil better understood and appreciated by Park Service employees and millions of people who visit Parks every year."

Southard will specifically be responsible for data base management and interpretations for the 272 National Parks, Monuments and Historic Sites in the NPS system, assuring consistency with standards set up by the National Cooperative Soil Survey. This will provide consistent delivery and application of soil information that includes soil types, soil chemical and physical properties, plant communities associated with specific soil types, and soil-forming processes.

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