The Dirt on Dirt

Description

As part of the Southern Nevada Archeology Speaker Series sponsored by the Southern Nevada Agency Partnership Cultural Resources Team, soil scientist Douglas Merkler will speak at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas on June 2nd at 2 pm.

We generally don’t think much about the soil. In fact, “soil” has a negative connotation. We call it dirt and wash it off our clothes and our bodies. In reality, the soil is essential to our survival and that of nearly every organism on Earth. Well functioning (healthy) soils are directly responsible for much of the world’s highest quality freshwater, the biological diversity of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and the economic wealth of human societies.

Douglas Merkler is a fourth generation Nevadan and a retired Resource Soil Scientist for Nevada with the USDA, Natural Resources Conservations Service. His great-grandfather settled in the Elko area in 1877, establishing what was to become one of the larger sheep ranches in Nevada. Awarded the Soil Scientist of the year nationally for the USDA, he currently assists with teaching research methods at Nevada State College and has begun a company with his wife Dr. Lois Merkler working on resource inventory and aerial imagery projects. He sits on the International Committee for Soil Morphology, is a member of the International Union of Soil Science, Soil Science Society of America, International Biogeography Society, and remains a citizen member on several local committees in the Las Vegas Area.

Admission to the speaker series is free with museum or Springs Preserve membership, or with paid general admission.