News Release 563

FILL THE STOCKINGS WITH GEOLOGIC TREASURES FROM THE
MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Volume 35-563

Contact: Hylan Beydler

(For immediate release)

573-368-2118

ROLLA, MO., DEC. 3, 2007 -- Looking for a Christmas gift for your rock enthusiast, fossil hunter, outdoors person, naturalist or historian?  If so, be sure to visit to 111 Fairgrounds Road in Rolla the next time you venture out to do your holiday shopping. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey has four sets of trading cards that make great stocking stuffers.  Also available are beautiful books about our state's amazing geology.

The first set of educational trading cards contains 40 cards. The second and third sets contain 60 cards each. These cards cover a variety of general interest topics: caves, dams, fossils, geology, geologic wonders, Ice Age animals, rivers, publications, springs, land surveying, rocks, minerals, wells, springs and past state geologists.

The most recently published card series contains 80 cards. It highlights the Missouri River's outstanding natural resources as it follows the path taken by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark's Corps of Discovery expedition 200 years ago. Learn about Missouri state parks, conservation areas, scenic river towns and sites of interest. See riverside statues and monuments honoring Lewis and Clark's journey, murals within the Capitol, portraits of the explorers and numerous breath-taking river scenes.

The cards are suitable for children and adults of all ages. The price of the first series of trading cards is $6, the second, third and fourth sets are $8 each (tax and shipping not included). These cards come with game instructions, or you can make up your own games.

Books are always great gifts too.  The Department of Natural Resources offers a number of full-color books that continue to be favorites for Missourians and visitors to our great state.  One of the best sellers is Geologic Wonders and Curiosities of Missouri by Thomas R. Beveridge, Second Edition, revised by Jerry D. Vineyard.  This beautiful 392-page book locates and describes more than 400 interesting geologic features, including mountains, hills, knobs, mounds, shut-ins, waterfalls, rapids, bluffs and others amazing features throughout Missouri.  Another popular title is Springs of Missouri by Jerry D. Vineyard and Gerald L. Feder, with sections on fauna and flora by William L. Pflieger and Robert G. Lipscomb.  This 267-page book describes and locates large springs of Missouri; it includes rates of flow and water composition and quality. The book also provides information on what makes springs work, pollution potential and historical use of springs.

Geologic and topographic maps of Missouri and posters about the geology and geologic mapping of the state are also available at the department's Division of Geology and Land Survey. Many other popular publications can be purchased:  Missouri Ice Age Animals, The Common Fossils of Missouri, Exploring the Legacy of Missouri -- State Parks and Historic Sites and more!

For the computer and geographic information system enthusiast, the Division of Geology and Land Survey offers the MEGA 2007 CD-ROM, a collection of interactive computer maps that allows users access to more than 30 statewide GIS data layers, all from the computer desktop. The state of Missouri has been collecting geologic data since the mid-1800s, so vast amounts of data are available. This information enables users to apply earth science data to real-world issues. Many of the data layers allow for better decisions related to the use and protection of our state's water. Landowners, developers, engineers, geologists, planners, consultants, first responders, researchers, teachers and students will find this tool particularly helpful.

The trading cards, books and the CD-ROM may be ordered online (www.dnr.mo.gov/geology/adm/publications/). They can also be ordered by calling the Division of Geology and Land Survey at 573-368-2125 or 800-361-4827 or drop by the Rolla office weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. When visiting, allow time to tour the Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology where rocks, minerals, fossils (including a mastodon tusk) and map-making tools are on display. Also visit the division's Web site 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: An image of geology trading cards is available online at: www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel/images/christmasrocks.jpg.

Cutline: Suitable for children and adults of all ages, these Department of Natural Resources trading cards make great Christmas gifts for your favorite rock enthusiast, fossil hunter, outdoors person, naturalist or historian.