Total annual funding to state geological surveys continues positive trend

The 2025 Report of AASG Statistician Matt Heller of VA indicates that FY24 revenue to state geological surveys was $327.7M, up from $307.7M in FY23, with total staff of 2069 FTE; current estimates for FY25 are $327M and 2139 staff. Funding had peaked at $237M in FY12, due to the federal stimulus, and as federal funds fell by $45M, and total funding bottomed out at $216M in FY14, surveys raised diverse funds to achieve stability, although states vary. Adjusted for inflation, state surveys have been financially stable since the early 80s, although staffing has fallen in that time by a third. FY24 funding was half state-derived, and 23.5% federal, with the remainder in other categories. State funds are mostly recurring rather than non-recurring; whereas recurring state funds were over 90% of budgets in 1960, this fell to 40% in 2010 and has since stabilized. An upswing in federal funding is underway, from $51M in FY21 to an estimated $76M in FY25. However, several states have seen an even stronger surge in state funding. Percent female among science staff has risen steadily over a decade from 24% to 34%. Publication sales have dwindled and stabilized as publications are offered for free online. The final report may be slightly revised at the end of June.

Hugo F. Thomas, State Geologist of Connecticut from 1974 to 1989

Hugo Thomas passed away on January 27, 2025 at age 89. He was an associate professor at the University of Connecticut prior to his appointment in 1974 as the Director of a renewed Connecticut Geological Survey which had previously been based at Wesleyan University. He worked closely with USGS, established the Natural Resource Center, and was a leader in GIS. He hosted the 1985 AASG annual meeting in Mystic, CT. Hugo received the USGS John Wesley Powell Award in 1988, and the citation noted his leadership in the use of a comprehensive water resources information system. He was elected an AASG Honorary Member in 1990. He will be missed.

Bradford James Avy, Former State Geologist of Oregon, 1955-2024

Brad Avy passed away in September 2024. He was State Geologist of Oregon from 2015 to 2021. Before that he was with the Washington Agriculture department in commodity inspection, a senior research analyst with the Washington House of Representatives, and also with Washington State Departments of Health, and also Ecology. He began his career in geotechnical field studies as an engineering geologist in Alaska, co-founded the Eureka Drilling Company, and worked as a hydrogeologist in Washington on toxic site cleanup investigations. His bachelor's degree in geology was from the University of Washington, and his master's in geology from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He will be missed.

David Wunsch to complete his time as Delaware State Geologist

Dr. David R. Wunsch will retire this year as State Geologist and Director of the Delaware Geological Survey, a position he has held since 2011. He was Director of Science & Technology for the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) in 2010/2011. From 2000 to 2010, he was State Geologist of New Hampshire. He received his PhD from Kentucky in 1992. At the Kentucky Geological Survey, beginning in 1982, he was Coordinator of the Coal-Field Hydrology Program. Before that, he was instructor of geology at Central Michigan University. David was AGI President in 2021-2022, and AGI Executive Secretary in 2002-2004. He was an NGWA Division Director in 2002-2005, AASG President in 2009-2010, and AGI's first Congressional Science Fellow in 1998-1999. He has served on multiple high level panels, and has been the recipient of several prestigious awards, including being 2024 Campbell Medalist. Thank-you for your superb service, David!

Lee Gerhard, 1938-2025

Dr. Lee C. Gerhard died on April 12, 2025. He was born in New York State, received his BS in geology from Syracuse in 1958, and his PhD from Kansas in 1964. He served in the military, and worked in academia and consulting. He was State Geologist of North Dakota from 1978 to 1982 and State Geologist of Kansas from 1986 to 1999. He will be missed.

Darlene Batatian, State Geologist of Utah

Darlene Batatian has been named Utah State Geologist and director of the Utah Geological Survey, as successor to Bill Keach who held the position since 2019. She had been serving as Deputy Director since last year. She began her career working for USGS and has been in consulting, as well as Salt Lake County Geologist from 1998 to 2006. She received her geology undergrad from UC Santa Cruz, and a master’s from Idaho State. Welcome, Darlene!

Dick Berg to complete his time as Illinois State Geologist

On April 30th, Dick Berg will retire as State Geologist of Illinois, a position he has held since 2014. Deputy Director Steve Brown will step in as Interim Director. Dick holds a Bachelor’s degree from Indiana State, a Master’s from Eastern Michigan, and a Ph.D. from Illinois in 1979. He joined Illinois State Geological Survey in 1974. He has received many honors, such as co-Recipient of the Frye Award in 1991, and numerous honors since, and he has served extensively in AASG, and GSA, for example. Dick served as AASG Editor from 2019 to 2021, for example, and as AASG Committee Chair. His contributions to fields related to geological mapping, and to addressing the needs of society, have been immense. He played major roles, for example, in the Great Lakes Geological Mapping Coalition. Dick, we thank you for your tremendous contributions so far, and we look forward to your ongoing influential and highly constructive roles.

2025 AASG Annual Meeting

The 117th AASG Annual Meeting will be hosted by Louisiana Geological Survey on May 31 - June 5, 2025 at Cook Hotel and Conference Center on the LSU campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Scenic and informative field trips are being planned to Avery Island, home of Tabasco® Sauce, and to the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority Center for River Studies, to explore a large-scale model of the Lower Mississippi River and other engaging exhibits. AASG Members, Associates, Honorary Members, and guests, as well as representatives from partner agencies are welcome to register. See you in Baton Rouge!

https://www.lsu.edu/lgs/conferences/aasg2025/index.php

Importance of State Geological Surveys

This interview with Dr. Jon Kim and Dr. Ben Dejong from the Vermont State Geological Survey showcases the important work state geological surveys do, how it is done, & highlights an exciting upcoming session they are hosting for the Northeastern/Northcentral Geological Society of America Sectional Meeting this March 2025! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXoHABOfsBs

Charles G. Groat, 1940-2025

Chip Groat, who was born in New York State, passed away on March 14th. Charles G. Groat held degrees from Rochester, U Mass Amherst, and UT Austin. He was associate professor and acting director of the Bureau of Economic Geology between 1968 and 1978. He was State Geologist of Louisiana from 1978-1990, in 1992, and 2017-2021. He was executive director for AGI (1990-1992), and executive director (1992–1995) for the LSU Center for Coastal, Energy, and Environmental Resources. In 1995 he moved to UT at El Paso. He was Director of the USGS from 1998 to 2005, and Campbell Medalist in 1998. In 2005, he returned to UT Austin as program and center director and Interim Dean. In 2012, he again moved to Louisiana to lead the Water Institute of the Gulf, and then from 2017-2021, he was acting Director of the Louisiana Geological Survey, before retiring from public service in 2021. He has been an AASG Honorary Member since 1993. He was AASG President in 1987–88. He will be missed. 

Bob Jordan, Delaware State Geologist

Robert R. Jordan, Delaware State Geologist from 1969 to 2003, recently passed away at the age of 87. Bob received an A.B. from Hunter College, and both M.A. and Ph.D. in geology from Bryn Mawr College. He joined the Delaware Geological Survey in 1958. Bob was AASG President in 1983-84, he received the Ian Campbell Award in 1996, and the AASG Distinguished Service Award in 2007. He will be missed.