As part of the 75th anniversary of the Dutch Soil Science Society (NBV), on 8 March 2010 IBED scientist and NBV President Dr. Boris Jansen will officially present the ‘Most Characteristic Soil of The Netherlands'

The ‘Most Characteristic Soil of The Netherlands'  will be presented in the form of a soil monolith during a ceremony to be held at the National Museum of Natural History NATURALIS in Leiden. The soil was chosen from twelve nominations by the members of the NBV as part of the Society's 75th anniversary in 2010. It is a so-called ‘enkeerdgrond' characterized by a dark topsoil formed as the result of centuries of farming. As such this soil type is a symbol of the influence of humans on their environment and of the soil as archive of human existence.

The election of the soil was organized by a special anniversary committee of the NBV led by Dr. Johan Bouma, who will also highlight the other 11 nominated soils during the ceremony as an illustration of the great diversity of soils in The Netherlands. Dr. Toine Jongmans, who nominated the soil together with Dr. Gert Peek, will give a detailed description of the winning soil. After the official presentation, the winning soil will find a permanent place in NATURALIS.

The ceremony on the 8th of March will take place from 13:00 - 14:00 o'clock and is open to all those interested. Attendees will have free access to NATURALIS after completion of the ceremony.

Originally, the Dutch Minister of Education was planned to accept the Most Characteristic Soil of The Netherlands. However, as a result of the recent governmental crisis, his participation had to be cancelled. Instead the Director of Naturalis will now accept the soil profile.