PUBLIC GEOLOGICAL FIELD TRIPS: INTERESTED IN ORGANIZING A TRIP IN YOUR AREA?

The Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS), a division of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has offered geological field trips to the public for over 85 years. The field trips are designed to acquaint citizens with geological processes and deposits throughout the state and are especially helpful to those who teach earth science. The ISGS is committed to this legacy and has recently made an effort to increase the attendance of local organizations and decision makers by using existing partnerships and developing new contacts.

If you have a desire to organize a public field trip in your area, you may be interested in our success stories and, maybe more importantly, our lessons learned. The logistics of planning a field trip for 100 people or more can seem daunting, but the results are well worth the effort. Details to consider include your field trip team, the location, the guide book, setting the date, costs, registration, hotel, vehicles, meals, and more. Liability and safety issues will be discussed as well as how to travel with a large group from site to site. Let’s get more of the public outside to appreciate geology and what it brings to society!