“The Thin Skin of the Earth - Our Soils”
18. June 2024
Press conference on the new exhibition
“The Thin Skin of the Earth - Our Soils”
Tuesday, 18 June 2024, at 10.30 a.m. in the lecture hall and in room 21 of the NHM Vienna
“Our
entire culture emanates from the soil, which is why agriculture is so aptly named. But we are losing fertile soil every day.
This is a timely opportunity for the Natural History Museum Vienna to create a special exhibition to draw public attention
to the topic of soil. The soil beneath our feet is alive! But very few people are aware that there are living creatures under
the earth and that there are so many of them. The soil underpins life and, like water and air, is an indispensable resource.
The topics covered in the exhibition range from soil formation, soil diversity and soil research to the destruction of fertile
soils. The goal of this exhibition is to raise awareness among all visitors ages three and older to the importance of appreciating,
protecting and researching our soil. By destroying soil, we are depriving ourselves and future generations
of an essential basis for life. Once the soil is sealed airtight and watertight, it is usually lost forever,” says NHM
Vienna Director General Dr. Katrin Vohland.
Welcome and Introduction:
Dr. Katrin Vohland, Director General and Scientific Director, NHM Vienna
Projections from the microscope, soil organisms
Followed by a tour of the new exhibition in room 21 (and 22)
The ground beneath our feet is alive!
Press conference programme:
Welcome and Introduction:
Dr. Katrin Vohland, Director General and Scientific Director, NHM Vienna
“The Thin Skin of the Earth - Our Soils”
Content, structure and mission of an international touring exhibition on soil Prof. Dr. Willi Xylander, former director of the Senckenberg Museum for Natural History Görlitz, project manager of the traveling exhibition)Soils, how they function and the threats they face: The situation in Austria
Prof. DI. Dr. Martin Gerzabek (BOKU Vienna), Deputy Director of the Institute of Soil ResearchThe exhibition “The Thin Skin of the Earth - Our Soils” curatorial additions, framework programme, World Soil Day
Dr. Andreas Hantschk, Department of Science Communication, NHM ViennaProjections from the microscope, soil organisms
Followed by a tour of the new exhibition in room 21 (and 22)
The ground beneath our feet is alive!
Univ.-Prof. DI. Dr. Martin Gerzabek, Dr. Katrin Vohland, Dr. Andreas
Hantschk and Prof. Dr. Willi Xylander
© NHM Wien, W. Bauer