Page 2–The GeoRecord Vol 5.3
Fall 1999
From the Director

by Lee Allison,

Director and State Geologist

Director's Photo

One of my priorities will be to continue to foster the growing capabilities and influence of the Survey in setting and accomplishing national agendas in the earth sciences

This summer's heat wave coincided with my arrival in Kansas. My first day on the job, we were instructed to prepare a budget for fiscal year 2001 with a 4% reduction in State funds. Two weeks later, the State Board of Education voted to drop most references to evolution and some other science topics from the state school curriculum. Some folks take these as bad omens. They didn't hit me that way.

I am tremendously excited about joining the Kansas Geological Survey. Friends and collegues in Utah, where I spent 10 years in the Utah Geological Survey, as well as people I have been meeting in Kansas, asked why I left there to come here. To me the answer is clear. The KGS is one of the premier geoscience centers in the nation. The staff is nationally and internationally renowned. There is breadth to the programs as well as depth. The state strongly supports the KGS. The affiliation with KU provides tremendous opportunities to partner not only with the other earth scientists on campus, but also with geographers, biologists, and engineers. The University hosts a wealth of specialists in GIS, remote sensing, computer technology, and a myriad of other areas that complement KGS programs. All in all, the KGS is a powerhouse. And we are still flexing our muscles to determine the full capabilities of our strengths.

While some of the other large state geological surveys are noted for one particularly specialty—such as earthquake and landslide hazards, or oil and gas resources—the KGS is acclaimed in a variety of areas. The KGS is well positioned to be a leader in the future direction of the earth sciences nationwide. One of my priorities will be to continue to foster the growing capabilities and influence of the Survey in setting and accomplishing national agendas in the earth sciences. This is one way to attract the best people and the financial support to help solve the important challenges facing Kansas in oil and gas production, ground-water quantity and quality, geologic hazards, minerals resources, and science education. I can't think of anything I'd rather do.

Earth Science Week

The Kansas Geological Survey is getting ready for the second annual Earth Science Week, which will be celebrated October 11–16. Survey staff members will be at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve in Chase County on October 16 to provide information about the geology and fossils on the preserve. This will coincide with the annual Volkswalk sponsored by the preserve and the Wichita Skywalkers. In addition, the Survey has distributed Earth Science Information Kits to over 500 science teachers throughout Kansas. Governor Bill Graves has also recognized this year's Earth Science Week with an official proclamation.

 

Established by the American Geological Institute in 1998, Earth Science Week is a time to increase public awareness and understanding of the importance of earth sciences. Last years activities took place in every state and also in Australia, Canada, Germany, and India. To request an information kit, volunteer to help, or find out what's happening in different areas, visit the Earth Science Week Web site at www.earthsciweek.org.

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