Geosociety Members Highlight Geoscience on the Hill

Washington, D.C. – Members from the Geological Society of America’s Geology and Public Policy Committee gathered on Capitol Hill to emphasize the importance of federally funding geoscience research to members of Congress.

They visited both House and Senate authorization and appropriations committees, and shared many stories of the different ways federal funding helped jumpstart their careers. They encouraged members of Congress to keep in touch and reach out to them for expertise on natural hazards, minerals, water resources, and other geological issues.

Art Snoke, a Professor Emeritus who taught geology at the University of Wyoming, summed up his experience:

“On Monday, March 7th, members the Geology and Public Policy Committee visited a variety of Congressional offices to ask for strong support for funding of geoscience research. We also emphasized the importance of opposing efforts to target geoscience funding for cuts. Investment in geoscience research will benefit our nation in the areas of energy, minerals, water resources, natural hazards, and workforce development. The visits provided us a wealth of information on the workings of Congress with regard to the funding of the geosciences.

The staffers that we met were receptive to our requests and interested in our perspectives on the importance of geoscience research to the nation. Interacting with Congressional offices is an important way to spread information about the significance of geoscience research to policy makers. We ended our visits by stating that the Geological Society of America is prepared to serve as a resource to Congressional offices about any aspect of the geosciences.”

To keep up to date with the Geology and Public Policy Committee, visit its GSA site for information on GSA’s position statements, which cover a range of issues including climate change, public investment in earth science research, and critical mineral resources, among others, and upcoming events and briefings on geoscience.

By Elizabeth Goldbaum, GSA Science Policy Fellow