13 Sharing Geology: Building the Geocommunity Through Creative Engagement

Explore how geology connects with communities beyond research. Share strategies for public engagement, volunteerism, education, and advocacy. We welcome diverse approaches, including research, teaching, service, creativity, and communication that bridge science and society.

Sunday, 22 March 2026
1:30 PM - 5:30 PM
CCC, Room 26

Outreach to Post-College Audiences

Paper number: 13-4
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 2:35 PM – 2:55 PM

Authors

  • Daniel May Presenting Author
    University of New Haven, Biology and Environmental Science, West Haven, CT
  • Cheryl Cape
    New Haven Bird Club, New Haven, CT

Abstract

Most geoscience outreach focuses on K-16 programming. Extending awareness beyond the college years and across the community can be enhanced by (1) collaborating with local naturalist and conservation organizations to identify overlapping interests; (2) leading field trips for their memberships to locales of joint interest; and (3) providing short courses or lectures with these organizations or other adult ed groups on timely earth science topics. Some examples in practice from the New Haven region are presented.

Annual weekend field trips on ‘rocks and birds’ to historic quarry sites with the New Haven Bird Club or on ‘geology, ecology, and hydrology’ at nearby reservoir and park settings with the West River Watershed Coalition provide regular opportunities to network with receptive, engaged participants on geology topics. The not-for-profits schedule and promote these trips through their social media, and their members’ interests and expertise broadly complement those in geoscience. Group outdoor education is also among the most effective ways to build awareness of geology and the local roles of geologists.

Seniors can be a particularly engaged audience, and regional organizations such as New Haven’s Institute for Learning in Retirement (ILR) offer dozens of short courses each semester on topics across the academic spectrum. Popular geoscience offerings have been lectures and related tours of Yale’s mineralogy and meteoritic exhibits, as well as short courses on geopolitics and resource imperialism or GIS-based gerrymandering and historical redlining. Although less inclined to hike, ILR members are typically retired professionals and active agents in community decision-making, and Q&A sessions are jointly informative.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 58, No. 2

doi: 10.1130/abs/2026NE-411173

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