Soils and Stones Project

Summary of the project

Background 

Since 2019, the SocEnv Soils and Stones project has brought together experts from across a diverse range of sectors. These include: regulation, water, construction, land development, resource management, forestry, engineering, and agricultural/land management.

Key aims

The project has three key aims, bringing Chartered Environmentalists (and those pursuing the registration) together to lead the way and deliver change, through:

• Sharing good practice on soils use/re-use.
• Advocating for policies which recognise the value of these hugely valuable resources.
• Making connections and finding solutions via collaboration.

Outcomes 

The project’s first key outcome was our Soils and Stones report (2021) which has been hugely well-received by decision-makers including DEFRA. Demonstrating this impact, we were invited to give evidence to the Soil Health Inquiry in March 2023, with the inquiry report making reference to our evidence, including our key asks.

Further output has included “The Ten Principles of Good Soils and Stones Management” – providing an overarching Soils and Stones framework as recommended in our report.  The Ten Principles provide a clear, straightforward guide of how to protect, use and re-use these vital resources. Together, they provide a framework against which existing legislation and regulation can be reviewed and improved. We have also got our message across via articles in leading journals (see examples here and here) and presentations at key events.

2024 Progress Report

In 2024, we were delighted to share a full update on our progress. Produced three years on from our initial, influential report, this publication provides an honest assessment of progress achieved so far against the 2021 recommendations and provides a focus for our efforts over the next three years.

2025 updates

• We’re so pleased to have contributed to the Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES)’s collection of case studies: “Speaking up for science and the environment”. The collection takes readers through the policy process, identifying how we can effectively engage with environmental policy at each stage. You can view our case study, showcasing how the project has helped to raise the profile of soils as a key policy issue, and full publication, here.
• In early March, we announced that we have joined the Coalition of Action 4 Soil Health. In calling for the adoption of healthy soil practices, this international coalition aligns with the priorities of the Soils and Stones Project. Find out more here.
• For World Water Day in March, we released a new episode of our podcast, EnvCast, discussing the ‘Environment Top 5’ things to consider about Water and Soils. Our guests, project volunteers Rob Earl CEnv and Jonathan Atkinson CEnv cover glaciers, soil management, impact of water on soils, the importance of collaboration and much more. You can listen to or watch this podcast – more info available here.
• Our CPD and networking event took place in Birmingham in early April. Thank you to all who attended and made it such a positive event. For a short article recapping the event and the discussions, please click here.
• In April 2024 SocEnv, in partnership with Midlands Land Events, launched the SILOtoSOIL tool, dedicated to fostering collaboration in soil management. The tool helps to highlight the wealth of existing soil related expertise, guidance, and publications available across different disciplines and locations. Find out more via the link below.

Case studies

To progress the Soils and Stones 2021 Report recommendation on ‘Supporting Good Practice (SGP)’, we issued a call for case studies which demonstrate the Ten Principles in action. Case studies on a range of topics relating to soil health and reuse can be accessed via the links below:

• Ramboll, the Coal Authority, Environment Agency and Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) – Sustainable reuse of metal impacted sediments 
• Southern Water, S.Woodley Crop Services, Arun to Adur Farmers Group and Cranfield University – Soil health in agriculture
• Institute of Water – Nature Based Solutions in the water industry
• ALIGN working in partnership with HS2, Jacobs, Cranfield University and Tim O’Hare Associates – Soil profile trials to support calcareous grassland
• UBU Environmental, Manchester Metropolitan University and Innovate UK – Recycling soils and aggregates from street sweepings
• WSP, West Dunbartonshire Council, DEME and Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) – Remediation of a former oil terminal
• Ramboll, DS Smith, National Trust and FLI Group – Remediation of a former mill
• E3P, Kellen Homes and McAuliffe Group – Redevelopment of a former waterproof textile manufacturing site

We are thankful to the organisations and initiatives who have provided case studies so far and hope you find their insights useful.

Join the project

Would you like to contribute to our project and collaborate with other experts?

Please note: the project is open to those with membership of an environmental related professional body. For example, one of our Licensed Members, or Institutions with a closely tied remit such as the British Society of Soil Science. Ideally volunteers should also hold Chartered Environmentalist (CEnv) registration, though this isn’t essential. Indeed, involvement could support progression to CEnv registration through one’s respective professional body.

If you would like to express interest in getting involved, please get in touch with Sarah via the link below.