Texas AIPG Board Members Met with the Students at the Texas Hydro~Geo Workshop: September 29-October 1, 2023 in Boerne, Texas

Real-World Field Settings for Valuable Hands-On Experience in Aquatic Biology, Hydrology, Geology, Hydrogeology, and Environmental Science

More than 200 students and a few professionals from around Texas assembled near Boerne, Texas for the Texas Hydro~Geo Workshop. It is focused on the collection, processing, analysis, and evaluation of hydrologic (surface water),  geologic, and hydrogeologic (groundwater) field data. It serves as an excellent introduction for aspiring geology, hydrology, hydrogeologic, and environmental science students, as well as a refresher for seasoned professionals with potential recruiting objectivies.

The Workshop was created to bring students and professionals together in a field setting for a hands-on learning experience. This is a special opportunity to work with senior researchers and professionals from across the state and nation. Participants have the opportunity to explore many different techniques for collecting data from soil, rock, and water media. This includes drilling rigs, surface and borehole geophysics, stream gauging, water quality instruments, and much more. For those who will be taking week long or longer field courses associated with your degree program, some of the Hydro~Geo Workshop modules provided students with an advantage ranging from advanced knowledge on field safety, field-book data collection, rock and sediment identification, how to camp, etc.

Participants selected from the various modules depending upon availability. Please note that participation may be limited in some modules for safety reasons, in order to maintain a high participant/coordinator ratio, or for resource protection. The Workshop also includes the opportunity for senior professionals to present Lightning Talks to the attendees.

Members of the Texas AIPG Board of Directors made presentations focused on what AIPG does for students and professionals in Texas and around the U.S., and they provided some hints as to what it’s like to be a Professional Geologist (a P.G., and a C.P.G.). Pick-up the handouts at the booth (more) and other momentos that will be available. Here some photos from the activities on the second day (here). Many students signed up to apply for student memberships of the AIPG, which are Free !

Two seasoned professionals, Dr. Roger Lee, P.G. and Mr. Bruce Handley, P.G.,  discussed the students’ future in the geosciences at the AIPG-TX booth. Also, Bailey Hodakievic was also present to discuss such matters with the attendees as well (more). She was recently appointed by Henry Wise, P.G., C.P.G., (President of the AIPG-TX) to serve on the AIPG-TX Board and as President of  the Texas Statewide Student Virtual Chapter of the AIPG Texas Section

The Workshop took place at and around Cave Without a Name facility near Boerne, Texas. Most activities were conducted at the campsite and pavilion.

Read More

The Wise Report – October 1, 2023

The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G.

October 1, 2023

 The Ecological Screening Benchmark Tables for the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality have been updated and posted to the TCEQ’s Ecological Risk Assessments webpage (here).  The Ecological Screening Benchmarks are numeric values for surface water, sediment, and soil that can be used to screen non-bioaccumulative chemicals of concern from further evaluation under Tier 2 Screening-Level Ecological Risk Assessments.

Please contact the Remediation Division Technical Program Support (TPS) Team at techsup@tceq.texas.gov if you have any questions.

 Henry M. Wise, P.G.
The Wise Report 
10/1/2023

Read More

The Wise Report – September 23, 2023

The Wise Report
Henry M. Wise, P.G., C.P.G.
September 23, 2023

The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) adopts the following amendments:

  • 22 TAC §851.21 Licensing Requirements – Examinations:  amends the examination process and procedures to sit for the examinations and removes language that references a form that is no longer required.
  • 22 TAC §851.22 Waivers and Substitutions: Policy, Procedures, and Criteria:  describes the relevant work experience requirement, removes language that may have been interpretated as the Board evaluating an applicant’s “good and ethical” character, and adds clarity and consistent language relating to continuing education used throughout the policy.

Henry M. Wise, P.G., C.P.G.
The Wise Report
9/23/2023

Read More

AIPG Texas September Webinar at Noon this Month

The Geology of Western Sicily and its Effect on Iron Age (2800-2600 BP) and Modern Societies

September 12, 2023
Please note the new time!
(10:00 am pacific, 11:00 am mountain, 12:00 pm central, 1:00 pm eastern)

Western Sicily is underlain by African basement upon which is piled a series of thrust sheets (the south-verging Maghrebian Orogenic Belt) containing rocks as young as early Pleistocene.  Uplift and large earthquakes continue to the present.  Sediment loads of rivers are high, resulting in extensive alluvial plains: these were historically highly malarial, but are now drained and being dewatered by intensive irrigation.

Iron Age settlements were often on the summits of high mountains, as were Arab settlements.  At other periods, settlements have clustered in or near the fertile but unhealthy plains.

Presenter: John Berry

REGISTER HERE (MORE)

Read More