Mantra to recite before placing your foot on land

Bhoodevi (Goddess Lakshmi) - Goddess of Earth

Bhoomi Vandanam Mantra:

Samudravasane devi parvatstanmandale

Vishnupatni namostubhyam padsparsham kshamaswa me

Vishunupati samutpanne shankhavarna-mahitale

Aanek-ratnasampanne bhumidevi namo namah

Significance:
Our life depends on the land, before touching it with the feet, one should apologize to that shakti (Energy Principle). 

Meaning:
I bow to Mother Earth, who has mountains and jungles on her body and whose clothing is made by the ocean. The wife of Lord Vishnu, please pardon me for touching you with my feet.