European Network on Soil Awareness

In 2009, the JRC, under the auspices of the European Soil Bureau Network, established a Working Group on "Soil Awareness and Education".

The objective of the working group was to establish an action plan for the development of measures / programmes / initiatives to raise awareness of the importance of soil across European society (i.e. policy makers, general public, universities, schools, industry, etc.)”.

Subsequently, the JRC has integrated the WG within the umbrella of the European Network on Soil Awareness (ENSA) and is the main supporter of the biannual meeting of the network (see below).

From 2017, the ENSA meetings have aimed to support the implementation of the European Soil Partnership (ESP) Pillar 2, which targets soil awareness and education. Consequently, the remit of the Working Group has been broadened to support the ESP. As a result, its membership has been opened to partners of the ESP with an interest in the topic.

This page documents the activities of this nework. It contains also names of physical persons. If anyone objects against having hisd/her name on this page, please let us know at ec-esdac@ec.europa.eu.


6th ENSA - ESP Conference, Amsterdam, Netherlands19-20 September 2019 

This JRC-European Network on Soil Awareness (ENSA) meeting took place as part of the “Summer of Soil” in Fruittuin Van West Organic Farm, Amsterdam, during September 19-20, 2019. The conference was open to everyone with in interest in raising awareness of soils as well as other interest groups whose role involves an understanding of specific aspects of soil, for example, planners, teachers, and local authorities. The meeting offered the opportunity for exchanging ideas and experiences in raising soil awareness.

Workshop flyer

Workshop Agenda

All Presentations

Presentations - Day1

Presentations – Day 2


5th ENSA -European Soil Partnership (ESP) Pillar 2 Conference - GIVING SOILS A VOICE 2017,Bratislava, Slovakia, 28-29 September 2017

Agenda

Presentations - Day1

Presentations - Day2


4th ENSA Conference, 21- 22th October 2015, EXPO Milan & JRC, Italy

The European Network on Soil Awareness held its forth meeting in Milan October 21-22, 2015. The meeting took place directly at the EXPO October 21, 2015. The second part of the conference was at the JRC of the EU in Ispra close to Milan October 22, 2015. The conference wasopen to both soil specialists with interest in raising awareness of soils as well as other interest groups whose role involves an understanding of specific aspects of soil, for example, planners, teachers, and local authorities. The conference offered the opportunity for exchanging ideas and experiences in raising soil awareness. 
 


3rd ENSA Conference, Aberdeen, Scotland, 19-20 September 2013

The European Network on Soil Awareness held its meeting at the James Hutton Institute in Aberdeen from 19-20 September 2013. The conference was open to both soil specialists with a specific interest in raising awareness of soils as well as other interest groups whose role involves an understanding of specific aspects of soil, for example, planners, education, local authorities and special interest groups. The speakers presentations are available online.

Soil awareness in Europe

Soil awareness around the world

Activities to raise soil awareness in different European countries


2nd ENSA Conference, October13-14, 2011, Tulln, Austria

The second meeting of ENSA was held in the Tulln Campus of BOKU (Universität für Bodenkultur Wien), close to Vienna, Austria.


1st European Network on Soil Awareness (ENSA) Conference, September 27-29, 2009, Osnabrück, Germany

The first meeting of ENSA was held in the City of Osnabrück, Germany. As well as presentations of soil awareness raising activities, the meeting included a dedicated viewing of “Dirt! The Movie” and a discussion forum with the Director, Gene Rosow.  Participants decided to hold a dedicated meeting on a biannual basis in the future.


First Meeting WG Soil Awareness and Education, Ispra 26 - 27 May 2009

Find attached the minutes of this First Meeting done in Ispra at 26 - 27 May 2009.

Presentations during the meeting

  • A. Jones: Public Awareness and Educational Initiatives for Soil in the JRC
  • R. Creamer: Soil Awareness & Education: A review from Ireland
  • G. Broll: Soil Awareness and Education (Germany)
  • O. Düwel: Experiences made in the context of trying to bring the “Soil Resource” into public’s and children's mind and ongoing activities
  • S. Hallett: Soil-Net.com A soils educational resource
  • B. Housková: SOIL focus - SLOVAKIA
  • F. Lobnic: Model for Integrating classroom based Education and E-Learning (Slovenia)
  • E. Micheli: Soil Awareness and Education Activities related to the mandate of the WG(Hungary)
  • W. Towers Soil awareness and education: some approaches in Scotland
  • P.Zdruli: Soil Awareness and Education (Italy)