We promote the understanding and wise use of Minnesota's soil resources.

Established in 1973, the Minnesota Association of Professional Soil Scientists (MAPSS) is the only organization representing the professional interests of soil scientists in Minnesota. Our members consist of professional soil scientists, consultants, researchers, teachers and students, as well as those who just have an interest in soil. 

Upcoming Events

April 1-June 30-2026
Soil Scientist License Renewals
Click here for more information.

August 6-7, 2026 in La Crosse, WI
Summer Tour 2026 - Driftless vs. True Driftless - Soil and Landscape Tour

A two-day field tour through Southeast Minnesota and Southwest Wisconsin, with lodging options based in La Crosse, WI.

Join us as we explore soils, parent materials, geomorphology, and landscapes across the Driftless region - comparing the “true” Driftless of Wisconsin with the driftless-feeling landscapes of Southeast Minnesota.

● Soil pits + soil cores + landscape interpretation
● Bedrock, loess, colluvium, and floodplains
● Great soils, landscapes, and people

Hosted by the Minnesota Association of Professional Soil Scientists + the Wisconsin Society of Professional Soil Scientists.

Registration details coming soon.

FSS and PSS License Contacts

Board of AELSLAGID - PSS Licensure information
https://mn.gov/aelslagid/soilscience.html

Fundamentals of Soil Science Exams - Check here for applications and for exam dates https://www.soils.org/certifications/exam-information/

Reimbursement for the Fundamentals Exam Fee- The MAPSS Professional Practice Committee and Spectrum Research of Duluth, MN will reimburse $195.00 of the fundamentals exam. Complete the reimbursement form BEFORE requesting reimbursement.

Thank you for recent donations from:
Spectrum Research - Duluth, MN
Terry Bovee
Kim Steffen

Past Events

December 5, 2025 (Friday), 8am - 5pm
MAPSS Winter Technical Event - Soil Restoration in Minnesota
Registration may be found here.
Thanks to our sponsors - Alliant Engineering and Stantec

August 1, 2025 (Friday), 8am - 5pm
MAPSS Summer Tour
Artesols (proposed) - The Urban/Built Environment Soils
University of Minnesota, St. Paul Campus and Local Field Sites

December 6, 2024
MAPSS Winter Technical Event - Environmental Investigations and Remediation
Thanks for the location, WSB Engineering and for lunch, D’Amico & Sons!

August 23, 2024 (optional August 22 pre-tour)
The SPRUCE (Spruce and Peatland Responses Under Climatic and Environmental Change Experiment)
Grand Rapids, Minnesota
Will include histosol hydrology, histosol restoration, ecology, etc.

MAPSS Winter Technical Event 2023
Thanks to a very successful Winter Technical Event on Friday, December 1, 2023. Thanks toWSB Engineeringfor an amazing location,D’Amico & Sonsfor lunch and lunch sponsors:
Alliant EngineeringandStantec.