Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Geologic Extension Service

As a state science agency, we have to take the science we produce, get it into the hands of those who need the results, help non-technical users understand it, and work with them to deal with the consequences of what we learned. To that end, the AZGS has formed a Geologic Extension Service to integrate our publications, map and bookstore, library, website, outreach, inquiries, and education functions into a coordinated program to more effectively transfer our work to those who want to use it.

The GES is modeled on the well recognized concept of the Agricultural Extension Service that helped bring the best technologies to farmers across the country, helping make US agriculture the most productive and efficient in the world. We hope to provide similar service with geologic information and assistance in natural resources, natural hazards, and environmental quality, to improve Arizonans lives, safety, and economic well-being.

Dr. Michael Conway is newly hired as Chief of the GES. Mike joins us after 9 years as a professor of geology at Arizona Western College in Yuma, and extensive experience in K-12 education, geologic hazards, and science outreach. Mike is putting together an aggressive agenda to better bring AZGS’s technical capabilities to bear on challenging problems facing society.