News Release

For Release:  Feb. 27, 2007                 
Contact:  David Christy, (916) 985-4474
CA-CC-07-23

Geology, History Field Trip Schedule Announced for 2007

The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office and Buena Vista Museum of Natural History are offering earth science field trips throughout central California.

"California is ever-changing. The geology field trip program explores the changes that have occurred throughout California's complex and fascinating geologic history and focuses on the human interaction with this geology over the past 150 years. Since the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848, the landscape of California has never been the same. We live in an environment today with a range of social issues that are directly linked to our geologic past. Symposia and field trips of this interpretive outdoor program are designed to bring this message to residents of all parts of California," said Gregg Wilkerson, PhD., BLM geologist.

These trips are designed for persons of high school age and older. It is not necessary to have a technical background to attend or benefit from the trips. These field trips are recommended for teachers and many of them can be taken for in-service continuing education credit through California State University, Bakersfield. Each trip includes a full spectrum of environmental and land management topics. Field guides are prepared for some of the trips that include maps and directions and can be used for self-guided investigation of the geology along the field trip route. Prices vary for each trip depending on stops at museums or other locations that charge admission.

To contact the Buena Vista Museum of Natural History, call (661) 324-6350 or visit the web site is at http://www.sharktoothhill.com. For additional information, contact Gregg Wilkerson at 661-391-6081, gwilkers@blm.gov or go to http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/fo/bakersfield/Programs/geology/fieldtrips.html

March 16-18, 2007:  Mother Lode Part II: Central and East Belt Gold Mines: Jackson to Auburn
This 3-day field conference and symposia examines the mines east of Placerville and between Jackson and Auburn. Mining history and geology at Jackson, Volcano, Fiddletown, Placerville, Coloma, Garden Valley, Georgetown, Kelsey, Cool, and Auburn are investigated.

April 15-16, 2007: Owens Valley-Mono Basin
Water management, historic mining, glacial and volcanic geology are the main topics of this two-day field trip Stops or topics of discussion include Cinder Hill, Owens Lake, Alabama Hills, Mazourka Canyon, American Perlite Mine, Tinnemaha Reservoir, June Lake, Devil's Post Pile, Inyo Craters, Mono Lake, Bode State Park and Travertine Hot Springs.

May 18-21, 2007: Mother Lode III: Northern Mines
This 3-day field conference looks at the structure, stratigraphy and geologic history of the northern mines of the Mother Lode in Sierra and Plumas Counties.

September 29-30, 2007: San Andreas Fault: Hollister to Carrizo Plain
This 2-day field conference examines the segment of the San Andreas Fault between Hollister and Wallace Creek in the Carrizo Plains.

-BLM-