GEOCORPS AMERICA PROGRAM

The Geological Society of America’s GeoCorps America program offers opportunities for geoscientists to work as supported volunteers who provide their expertise to the management, research and interpretative needs of our nation’s public lands. GeoCorps places all levels of geoscientists—college students, professionals, and retirees—in seasonal, supported-volunteer positions with the National Park Service and other public lands agencies.

GeoCorps America’s program goals include: provide public lands agencies with geoscience expertise; enhance resource managers’ and policy makers’ geoscience knowledge; encourage the participation of minorities and women in the geosciences; educate the public about geologic features and the value of geoscience resources; offer opportunities for experienced geoscientists, K-12 teachers, and retirees to share their knowledge and learn new skills; and, provide students with geoscience work experience in government and industry.

The program is a partnership. Public lands agencies, such as the National Park Service, define their geoscience needs and develop position descriptions. The Geological Society of America advertises positions, and markets and administers the program. Participants must be members of GSA and can be in any level in the career spectrum: from student to retiree. Although GSA and the partnering organizations provide funds for the program, GeoCorps does rely on outside donated funding sources to cover all costs.

Accomplishments of past participants include: discovering a fossil trackway; locating fossil sites; conducting research on back-barrier island erosion; creating brochures; developing curriculum for grade school children; giving interpretative talks; and developing geoscience-related signage.

GeoCorps America is a win-win-win program: participants give back to the community, increase their geoscience skills and refocus their career goals; resource managers learn how to integrate geology into public lands management; and the public benefits by gaining an appreciation of our nation’s geologic resources.

GeoCorps offers long-term benefit to the geoscience community, the public, and America’s public lands, but it needs continued support to ensure that this valuable program continues to flourish.