Geological Science Field Trips

Spring 2013 public field trip scheduled for Saturday, May 18, 2013 at Rock Cut State Park area near Rockford, IL.

Registration available online or by phone.

*Fall 2013: At this time no Fall 2013 trip is planned. Thank you for your continued interest in the ISGS field trips.

You're invited to join ISGS scientists on a field trip. Currently the ISGS conducts spring and fall geoscience field trips annually. Each trip is designed to acquaint you with the geology, landscape, mineral resources, and biodiversity of a different part of the state. Along the route, we'll stop frequently to give you time to explore a special area, to talk with geologists and other experts, or simply to admire the view. You'll also have opportunities to collect rocks, minerals, and fossils.

People of all ages are welcome; however, grade-school groups must be supervised by at least one adult for each five students, and high-school groups must be supervised by at least one adult for each ten students. The trips are especially helpful to teachers of earth science classes.

Each participant will receive a guidebook explaining the geology, topography, and other features along the route and at the stops. A list of guidebooks from previous field trips is available for use in planning your own class tours or private outings.

The Illinois State Geological Survey, a division of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, has studied and mapped the state's geology and mineral resources since 1905. The ISGS also collects, archives, and distributes great quantities of geologic data for basic and environmental research.

Major achievements of the ISGS include
      • three-dimensional geologic maps and models, products of a state-of-the-art computerized geographic
        information system, and
      • new workshops, teaching materials, displays, and special-purpose field trips added to the major
        scheduled trips per year—all part of a growing commitment to geoscience education and outreach
        for the people of Illinois.

For information about ISGS research and service, details of the 2012 fall field trip, guidebooks from previous field trips, or educational publications, visit the ISGS Web site or contact the Illinois State Geological Survey Sales Office at (217)-244-2414.

Updated 05/14/2013 mj