Mission Statement: The Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences’ mission is to provide instruction, research, and extension leadership in soil chemistry, physics, biology, and pedology for economic and sustainable land use.

Diversity Statement: The Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences is committed to fostering a welcoming community where members of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities can thrive. As the underlying heterogeneity of soil and landscapes is a source of inspiration in our research and teaching, we recognize that diversity in our department enhances our work, its meaning, and its impact.

It is our moral obligation to advance equity and justice in our academic endeavors. We acknowledge current and historical biases and discrimination that have plagued the pursuit of science and the role that academia plays in upholding systemic discrimination of marginalized communities, while recognizing the substantial corrective role that academia can undertake. We condemn any and all forms of harassment, discrimination, and intimidation and are committed to working towards a more equitable future.

We specifically commit to:

• creating an environment that is diverse, equitable, inclusive, and welcoming.
• incorporating place-based environmental knowledge in research, teaching, and outreach.
• advancing initiatives to recruit and retain underrepresented students, staff, and faculty.
• ensuring that research performed in the department equitably serves diverse local and global communities.
• continuing to learn about, allocate resources, and track actions to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in our department.

Code of Conduct: A Code of Conduct for faculty, staff, and students within the Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences is currently being developed.

Land Acknowledgement Statement: The University of Wisconsin-Madison occupies Ho-Chunk Land, a place their nation has called Teejop (Day-JOPE) since time immemorial. In an 1832 treaty, the Ho-Chunk were forced to cede this territory. Decades of ethnic cleansing followed when both the federal and state government repeatedly, but unsuccessfully, sought to forcibly remove the Ho-Chunk from Wisconsin.

This history of colonization informs our shared future of collaboration and innovation. Today, UW-Madison respects the inherent sovereignty of the Ho-Chunk Nation, along with the eleven other First Nations of Wisconsin.

Please take a moment to consider the many legacies of violence, displacement, migration, and settlement that brings us together here today, and please join us in uncovering such truths every day.