The occurrence and distribution of soils in New York City were not known until recent years. The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service in collaboration with New York City Soil & Water Conservation District and Cornell University Experimental Station completed a citywide inventory of soil resources in New York City. Soil scientists documented New York City soils formation in parent materials derived from ablation till, basal till, outwash, organic and eolian. They also documented New York City soils formed in anthropogenic parent materials derived from cut/fill, construction debris, dredge, coal ash and human refuse.