News Release 457

GOV. BLUNT PROCLAIMS EARTH SCIENCE WEEK
OCT. 14 THROUGH OCT. 20
Division of Geology and Land Survey leading the effort for the Department of Natural Resources

Volume 35-457

Contact: Hylan Beydler

(For immediate release)

573-368-2118

JEFFERSON CITY MO, OCT. 11, 2007—Gov. Matt Blunt has declared the week of Oct. 14-20 as Earth Science Week to bring awareness to the fact that earth sciences are fundamental to the health, safety and welfare of all Missourians.

Earth Science Week is celebrated the second full week of October throughout the nation as well as in other countries. The purpose is to increase public understanding and appreciation of the Earth sciences. "The Pulse of Earth Science" was selected as the theme of Earth Science Week 2007 to promote public and profession awareness of the status of earth science in education and society.

Launched in 1998 by the American Geological Institute, efforts have grown on local, national and international levels to highlight the vital role Earth sciences play in society's use of resources and interaction with the environment.

"We are pleased to again join AGI and other sponsoring agencies to bring earth sciences to the forefront," said Mimi Garstang, state geologist and director of the Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey. "Our lives are affected daily, by the important role geologists, surveyors and all earth scientists play in the society in which we live. We encourage schools to highlight the earth sciences as a career choice and demonstrate the benefits earth sciences bring to the community." Staff members from the department's Rolla office are helping to spread science literacy to benefit Missourians by speaking to students in both indoor and outdoor classroom settings and preparing displays for school libraries in the state. For more information about Earth Science Week, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/geology.

The department's Division of Geology and Land Survey offers fact sheets, maps, trading cards and a wide variety of publications on topics such as rocks, minerals and fossils. Visitors are welcome at the Ed Clark Museum of Geology, which is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. The division offers posters, maps, trading cards and a wide variety of publications on topics such as land surveying, rocks, minerals and fossils. You can reach the publications desk in Rolla at 573-368-2125 or 800-361-4827 or visit online at www.dnr.mo.gov/geology.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of the department's upcoming meetings, hearings and events, visit the department's online calendar at www.dnr.mo.gov/calendar/search.do.

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Editor: Photo available at /newsrel/earthscience.jpg.

Cutline: From left: Missouri Department of Natural Resources Director Doyle Childers presents Mimi Garstang, state geologist and director of the Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey, with a proclamation signed by Gov. Blunt. Gov. Blunt proclaimed Oct. 14 through Oct. 20 as Earth Science Week.