InfoPEI

Provincial Soil

The Charlottetown soil is the most predominant on the Island, accounting for roughly 470,000 acres of land. It is characterized by a fine sandy loam texture, is mainly well drained and is highly suitable for the production of a wide range of crops, including potatoes.

"The soil is our most important natural resource and is the foundation of our most important industries in Prince Edward Island," said Eric Hammill, former Minister of Agriculture and Forestry. "Officially designating a provincial soil will help promote the need to protect this invaluable resource and increase public awareness of its importance."

The designation of provincial soils in each province is an initiative of the Canadian Society of Soil Science. New Brunswick has already designated its official soil, and the Society is continuing its initiatives in other provinces.

The Charlottetown soil was recommended by Dr. Umesh Gupta, Emeritus Research Scientist at the Charlottetown Research Centre and former president of the Society. Dr. Gupta said that designating the Charlottetown soil as the provincial soil is symbolic, and that the underlying principle is to protect, preserve and maintain the sustainability of "the most precious resource that nature has provided to mankind."

Dr. Gupta said the Society membership believes it is crucial for Islanders to be aware of the importance of soil and to recognize it as a precious non-renewable resource. "Soil is a primary source of everything needed for human survival and existence," he said "The need to protect soils from degradation and erosion should be universally recognized."