QUARRY OPEN HOUSES: EDUCATING THE PUBLIC

The public perception of quarries is that they are dusty, noisy, unattractive holes in the ground with accompanying heavy equipment traffic and blasting vibrations. Quarries are typically considered nuisances rather than important parts of the community. The necessity of quarries as sources of aggregate for various construction activities is often ignored or not well understood.

For the last several years, as a part of National Earth Science Week, the University of Northern Iowa (UNI) Department of Earth Science has teamed up with a local quarry operator, Basic Materials Corp. (BMC), to offer a quarry open house at one of their limestone quarries. Held in early fall, this free event has become an important part of the outreach activities of both our Dept. of Earth Science and Basic Materials Corp. Attendance has increased every year, with nearly 2000 people attending last fall's event. UNI geology faculty and students conduct geology field trips to the working face of the quarry each half hour to discuss the geological features of the rock, the geological environments it represents, and the economic impact to the surrounding area. BMC personnel demonstrate crushing and washing of aggregate to be used in road construction. Other activities include displays from various organizations such as the NRCS and IOWATER and piles of rocks from other local quarries in which kids (young and old) search for fossils, rocks, crystals, and minerals.

The local media cover this annual event, and we receive many letters of appreciation and thanks from the public, including education and government officials. Events such as our quarry open houses educate the public and give them a more positive image of the aggregate industry as a part of the community providing a necessary and vital product for roads, homes, and industry.