# National Cooperative Soil Survey

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The National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) is a nationwide partnership dedicated to soils since 1899! 

### Don’t miss the 2024 NCSS Regional Conferences!

Southern: Lafayette, Louisiana – May 21-24North Central: Platteville, Wisconsin – June 24-27Western: Missoula, Montana – July 22-25Northeast: Bridgewater, Massachusetts – July 29 - August 1

NCSS Regions and Contacts Map

## What Is the NCSS?

The National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) is a nationwide partnership of Federal, regional, State, and local agencies and private entities and institutions. This partnership works to cooperatively investigate, inventory, document, classify, interpret, disseminate, and publish information about soils. NCSS standards are common or shared procedures that enhance technology transfer, data sharing, and communications among soil survey participants. NCSS cooperators collaborate on efforts to increase our understanding of soils through field studies, soil mapping projects, soil database development, and other technical soil services. 

Anyone can join the NCSS. View the ArcGIS Story Map to learn more about us!

**Sign up for E-mail updates on the National Cooperative Soil Survey or NCSS Conferences**

NCSS Conferences 
The National Cooperative Soil Survey provides technical and operational coordination. Workshops, meetings, and conferences are held discuss and resolve concerns and to make proposals and recommendations for the cooperative so...

NCSS Committees
NCSS committees work within the NCSS conferences. All conference and committee activities are guided by the conference bylaws. 

Contacts 
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is responsible for the leadership of soil survey activities of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for the leadership and coordination of NCSS activities. Contact a liaison fo...

Strategic Plan and Guidance Documents

Visual Identity
The first National Cooperative Soil Survey (NCSS) logo was adopted in 2017. It is now the official visual identity for the NCSS.

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Don’t miss out on the latest news and stay in touch with NCSS partners.

NCSS Members 
Training information directed to partners and cooperators of the National Cooperative Soil Survey.

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I cannot conceive of the time when knowledge of soils will be complete. Our expectation is that our successors will build on what has been done, as we are building on the work of our predecessors.

##   NCSS Projects 

Learn more about projects that are a result of the National Cooperative Soil Survey via ArcGIS Story Maps.

###   Coastal Zone Soil Survey

The NCSS is expanding the work to include data on the dynamic and important soil resources of our coasts and nearshore environments, a collaborative effort called Coastal Zone Soil Survey.

Coastal Zone Soil Survey Projects 

###   Urban Soil Survey 

The need for a better understanding of urban soils is more important than ever, especially the need for accurate and proper documentation, soil mapping, and interpretation of soil changes in the urban environment.

Urban Soil Survey Projects 

###   Dynamic Soil Properties 

Dynamic soil properties (DSPs) are soil properties that change with natural and anthropogenic disturbances and stressors including agricultural and wildland management. DSPs are indicators of soil function and soil change. Information about how soils change due to management and how those changes impact soil functions are crucial to sustainable soil management on all kinds of lands.

Dynamic Soil Properties Projects

###   Ecological Site Descriptions 

Ecological Sites are conceptual divisions of the landscape that are used to support management decision-making and aid in designing and interpreting research. Ecological sites are based on soil survey maps. 

 Collaborating to Advance Ecological Sites in Hawaii

##   Contact Soils

Please contact us if you see something that needs to be updated, if you have any questions, or if you need accessibility assistance.
                  -    Soils Webmaster 
                  -    402-437-5499 
                  -    Soils-Webmaster@usda.gov 

## Find Your Local Service Center

    USDA Service Centers are locations where you can connect with Farm Service Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, or Rural Development employees for your business needs. Enter your state and county below to find your local service center and agency offices. If this locator does not work in your browser, please visit offices.usda.gov.