The PRSSS 2018 Soil ID Field Course took place in Smithers, BC from July 17 – 19, 2018.
Click here to see photos from the event!
Learning Objectives:
Upon completing this course, participants will know how to:
- texture a soil
- dig a soil pit for description and interpretation purposes
- differentiate and describe horizons
- interpret soils and landscapes for possible land uses using a basic approach
Registration is now CLOSED
Important Application Information
- Have not attended our Summer Soil ID course in the past
- Live and/or work in the Omineca-Skeena region
The remaining spots will be “first-come, first-serve”. The deadline for submitting applications will be May 18, 2018. There is no cost to apply and a payment form will be sent out once participants are confirmed. We will assess the applications and confirm registration via email by May 22, 2018 at the latest. All applicants will receive a response by this day to let them know if they are accepted for the course or are on the waitlist.
Cost
- Professionals: $160
- Students: $120
To attend the course you must be a 2018/2019 PRSSS member (membership fees are $10 for students and $20 for professionals). For those accepted into the course a payment form will be sent to you via email. There will be a 7 day period to complete the payment and if it is not done within this time then the spot will be forfeited.
Accommodations and Food
Camping is available at a Tyhee Lake Campground where we will have a group campsite. The cost is an additional $20 per person and this will include 4 nights from the evening of July 16 to the morning of July 20.
Participants are also welcome to find their own accommodations in Smithers, BC.
For the duration of the trip participants are responsible for their own meals. A group dinner during one of the evenings will be an additional cost of $10.
Draft Schedule:
| Monday, July 16 | ||
| Evening | Campground is booked for participants to arrive in the evening | |
| Tuesday, July 17 | ||
| 8:30 am – 12:00 pm | Introductory lecture and hand-texturing exercise | |
| 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Lunch | |
| 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Soil pit 1 | |
| Wednesday, July 18 | ||
| 8:30 am – 12:00 pm | Soil pit 2 | |
| 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Lunch | |
| 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Soil pit 3 | |
| 5:30pm | Group dinner at the campground ($10) | |
| Thursday, July 19 | ||
| 8:30 am – 12:00 pm | Soil pit 4 | |
| 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm | Lunch | |
| 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Soil pit 5 |
Useful Reading Material:
- BC Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and BC Ministry of Forests – Research Branch. 1998. Soil description. In Field Manual for Describing Terrestrial Ecosystems. Land Management Handbook 25. http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/Docs/Lmh/Lmh25.htm
- Canadian System of Soil Classification (3rd Edition): http://sis.agr.gc.ca/cansis/publications/manuals/1998-cssc-ed3/cssc3_manual.pdf
- Selections from The Soil Landscapes of British Columbia on the Northern and Central Plateaus and Mountains http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/esd/distdata/ecosystems/Soils_Reports/Soil_Landscapes_of_BC_1986.pdf
- Soil Resources of the Smithers-Hazelton Area: http://sis.agr.gc.ca/cansis/publications/surveys/bc/bc21/bc21_report.pdf
- Soil Survey: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/esd/distdata/ecosystems/Soils_Reports/bc4_report.pdf