What News and Opportunities Are Currently Featured on the CSSS Website?

Updated

The CSSS homepage (csss.ca) currently highlights a mix of soil science news, society business, member achievements, and open calls for participation. The most prominent items are the FAO's Status of the World's Soil Resources report, the opening of 2026 membership registration, the March 2026 newsletter, the 2026 AGM minutes, and several opportunities to get involved—including a research study, a petition, a photo competition, and the new SoilGPT tool. Below is a breakdown by category, with what each item is and how to act on it.

Soil science news and tools

  • FAO Status of the World's Soil Resources report — The site flags this as newly released by the FAO, with a link for details. This is a global reference document rather than a CSSS publication.
  • SoilGPT — Described as "a new AI tool for Canadian soil science," with a link for details. The homepage does not describe its capabilities, so check the linked page before relying on it.
  • Bluesky — CSSS states it is now active on Bluesky, with a link to join the conversation. This is the society's newest social channel alongside its existing communications.

Society business and publications

  • 2026 CSSS AGM — Minutes from the virtual Annual General Meeting are available for viewing.
  • CSSS Newsletter — The March 2026 newsletter is available.
  • 2026 membership registration — Online member registration for 2026 is open, with a link to join or renew.
  • New Communications Manager — Dr. Dani Degenhardt (Natural Resources Canada) is welcomed as Communications Manager.

Awards, fellows, and council updates

  • New CSSS Fellow — Dr. Angela Bedard-Haughn (University of Saskatchewan).
  • 2026 Karl C. Ivarson Soil Science Scholarship — Breanna Barrett (University of Saskatchewan).
  • 2026 CSSS Pedology Travel Award — Dr. Grace Gowera (University of Saskatchewan), Dr. Nastaran Chalabianlou Vayjoyeh (University of Guelph), and Dr. Olatunbosun Ayetan (University of Guelph).
  • 2026 CSSS-CJSS Travel Award for International Soil Science Meetings — Alessia Marchesan (University of Alberta), Dr. Gbenga Daniel Adejumo (University of Saskatchewan), and Rimsha Khan (Dalhousie University).
  • New council members — Dr. Mervin St Luce (AAFC-Swift Current) as Western Councillor, Dr. Ikechukwu Agomoh (AAFC-Fredericton) as Eastern Councillor, and Dr. Adrian Unc (listing truncated on the homepage).

Open calls and ways to participate

Opportunity What it involves Key condition
Digital skills training research Participants needed for research on digital skills training in the agriculture and environmental sectors Follow the link for details
Petition on AAFC research centres Petition against the closure of Canadian research centres and experimental farms of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Follow the link for details
CJSS photo competition Submit photos; the selected image becomes the Canadian Journal of Soil Science cover $250 cash prize; winning photo appears on all four issues of the year and on the CSSS website; submissions due no later than October 1
"Life as a Soil Science Professional" profiles Share your experience as a soil scientist for a profile series Follow the link for details

How to act on these items

  1. Open csss.ca and scan the banner-style announcements at the top; each ends with a "Click here for details" link.
  2. For membership, use the 2026 online registration link to join or renew.
  3. For the photo competition, note the October 1 deadline and prepare a high-quality image suitable for a journal cover.
  4. For research participation, the petition, or the profile series, follow the individual links—each has its own requirements that the homepage does not spell out.

One caveat: the homepage is a news feed, so items rotate. Details such as eligibility, deadlines beyond the photo competition, and how to submit are only on the linked pages, not in the summaries above.