A Practical Introduction to the Role of Soils in Catchment Management
This hands-on, two-day course is designed to fill key knowledge and skills gaps in the application of soil science for improving water quality and quantity outcomes.
Through a mix of presentations, fieldwork, and guided practice, participants will learn to move beyond problem diagnosis and towards practical, field-ready solutions that support landowners and farmers in implementing effective soil and water management strategies.
You will be given a comprehensive course manual that details description techniques, copies of the Soil Survey Field Manual, a X10 hand lens for magnifying soil features and soil recording cards for you to use into the future.
What You Will Learn
By the End of This Course, You Will Be Able To:
Food and drink will be provided. (Please specify any dietary requirements under the relevant section in the registration form.)
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If you have booked but would like to cancel for whatever reason, please refer to our Cancellation Policy.
We know a soil when we see one, or do we? Most definitions describe soil in its mature, developed state - an essentially Aristotelian view that defines something by what it ultimately becomes. This leaves a fundamental question unanswered: how “soily” must geological material become before it is soil? Soil does not suddenly appear at a fixed boundary. It emerges through the interacting effects of weathering, water, carbon, nutrients, roots and microorganisms across a connected, evolving system, yet soil science continues to concentrate disproportionately on the uppermost layers. In this webinar, we will explore how soils emerge. Which molecular, biological, chemical, hydrological and structural signals reveal that transformation? Is soil best understood through observable properties or the deeper functions those properties collectively express?
Dr Dan Evans (Cranfield University, UK) and Dr Kimber Moreland (Stanford University, USA) will present highlights from their recent paper 'Toward a Unified Soil–Bedrock Continuum: Building a Systems Understanding' which was published in the 75th Anniversary Special Issue of the European Journal of Soil Science. They will also announce the founding of a new Soil2Bedrock network - an international community dedicated to advancing the understanding of the soil-bedrock continuum. It will bring together researchers, practitioners, and organisations across disciplines to develop a whole-profile perspective of Earth's near-surface environment, foster collaboration, and accelerate discoveries that improve our understanding of soil systems from surface to bedrock.
To register, visit: Zoom into Soil: How does a Soil Emerge - and Can We Create One?
Introduction to Agricultural Land Classification (ALC)
[Wednesday 11 - Thursday 12 November, Cranfield University] [This is a 2-day, in-person training course.]
Agricultural Land Classification (ALC) has a formal role in the planning system in England and Wales and is designed to prevent the loss of our best and most versatile land in line with the principles of sustainable development.
This training course, designed and presented by agricultural land classification (ALC) experts, offers a unique opportunity to learn about the background and technical basis of the current ALC guidelines.
By the end of the course you will learn:
The course will include the opportunity to work within a group to undertake an ALC grading desk exercise to apply what you have learned. This course is designed for soil scientists who wish to extend their experience to (or refresh an existing awareness of) Agricultural Land Classification, those commissioning ALC surveys from specialists, and planners reviewing ALC reports.
Delegates are expected to have a level of competency with regards to soil sampling and classification; and these are topics which are covered on our practical Working with Soil training courses.
Food and drink will be provided.
The British Society of Soil Science 2026 Annual Conference will take place from Tuesday 1 to Friday 4 December in Aberdeen. The overall conference theme is Soils at the Centre of Change: Innovation, Adaptation and Action. The packed multi-disciplinary event spanning the built, natural environment and agricultural sectors, set at the University of Aberdeen, will provide delegates with a fantastic opportunity to see the latest research and developments within soil science. The exciting and diverse programme will feature keynote speakers and experts across the 2 days. The full programme will be released in due course.
The exciting and diverse programme will feature keynote speakers and experts across the 2 days. This will include a policy session, discussion panel sessions, an invited keynote, oral presentations and posters across the 5 themes, quickfire presentations, parallel CPD sessions, an art and culture exhibition, and scientific tours on the final day. We will also be holding a Gala Dinner and Awards Evening on the first night of the Annual Conference.
The conference will bring together researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and industry leaders to examine how soil science can drive practical solutions to some of the most pressing environmental, societal, and policy challenges we face today.
With growing global attention on climate resilience, land use, food security, and nature recovery, soils are increasingly recognised as fundamental to sustainable systems. This event will provide a platform to discuss innovation, adaptation, and action across research, policy, and practice, with a particular focus on: