Minnesota Association of Professional Soil Scientists

Perfect Storm

What is the Perfect Storm Committee?

At the Summer 2011 MAPSS business meeting, the Perfect Storm Committee (PSC) was established to coordinate several soil related events coming up in 2012 and 2013.  The members of the PSC are Gary Elsner, Jim Balogh, and Al Giencke. 

 

Our charge is to communicate with members and coordinate tasks associated with the perfect Storm events listed below.  The information on this page is intended to be a resource for members and the other committees working on Perfect Storm related tasks.  At the Annual Meeting in December 2011, the PSC presented an outline of the events and tasks (click here for a copy of the December 2011 outline) to be completed.

 

To coordinate the activities associated with the MAPSS 40th Anniversary, the PSC requested and the MAPSS EC approved establishment of a MAPSS 40th Anniversary subcommittee.  The members of the 4oth Anniversary Sub-committee are Mark Wespetal, Bob Anderson and Barb McCarthy.  This committee is working on updating the MAPSS history document and assisting with the 2013 Summer Anniversary Tour.

Perfect Storm Activities
2011
75th Anniversary of the Soil Science Society of America
 
2012
150th Anniversary of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Lester established as The Official Minnesota State Soil
Dig-it, the Smithsonian soils exhibit opens at the Bell Museum, University of Minnesota
Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton declares November "Minnesota Soils Month"
2013
100th Anniversary of The University of Minnesota Department of Soil, Water and Climate
40th anniversary of The Minnesota Association of Professional Soil Scientists (MAPSS)
 For the first half of 2013, the following activities are planned:
MAPSS Members are volunteering at Dig-It events
February 7, 2013, MAPSS tabletop display at Dig-It
February 8, 2013, MAPSS tabletop display at the MN Earth Science Teachers Association annual meeting (~100 people)
February 22/23, 2013, Dr. Cooper presenting the MAPSS State Soil power point presentation to the Science Teachers Association of MN & MAPSS tabletop display in the exhibit hall (~300 people)
April 11, 2013, Gary Elsner and Al Giencke speaking to the Minnesota Master Naturalists in Minnetonka (~25 people)
April 27, MAPSS presentation to the MN DNR Park Naturalists Annual meeting (~100 people)
Planning for the 2013 Joint U of MN DSWC/MAPSS Anniversary Summer Tour
 In 2013, the PSC is coordinating MAPSS education and outreach activities related to the perfect storm events and the Minnesota State Soil.

For questions about PSC events or to volunteer to help, contact the PSC at gelsner@juno.com