4,278 Blog Posts & Counting!

Lee Allison first started the 'Arizona Geology: blog of the State Geologist of Arizona' in 2007 and faithfully posted until his death on 16 August 2016.  In nine years, Lee posted 4,278 blog posts. The content ranged widely from geologic news of the Arizona Geological Survey, to the moratorium on mining in the Arizona Strip, to regional, national and international events impacting the geosciences. Recent posts focused on the changing circumstances of the Survey as we transferred from state government to the University of Arizona.

One of Lee's most heartfelt projects was communicating advances in the geosciences far and wide. To honor Lee, AZGS staff will continue his Arizona Geology blog. We'll involve multiple bloggers addressing their passion for geoscience.

The Arizona Geology blog will always bear the indelible fingerprints of Lee Allison. And that is as it should be.

Our Arizona Geology e-Newsletter has an article on Lee and some of his accomplishments.
http://azgeology.azgs.az.gov/article/feature-article/2016/08/dr-m-lee-allison-1948-2016

AZGS Staff

Donations to Assn. of Women Geoscientists in the name of Dr. M. Lee Allison

Lee Allison, State Geologist and Director of the Arizona Geological Survey, passed away Tuesday, August 16th, at noon after suffering a critical head injury from a fall at his home on Saturday. Dr. Allison was a great supporter of AWG, both nationally and with the local chapters.

Lee’s passing is a tragic loss for his wife, family, staff of the Arizona Geological Survey, the geologic and geoinformatics communities, and Lee’s broad circle of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances around the world. He was an incredibly dynamic leader of our agency, and a world-wide leader in many areas that were important to him. We mourn his passing, and will do our best to carry on his legacy.

In lieu of a memorial service, Lee's wife, Ann, suggested donations be made to the Association for Women Geoscientists/Salt Lake Chapter to honor Dr. Allison. If you would like to make a donation, you can either do so online or by check. If you would like to donate online, go to www.awg.org and click on "Donate Now" in the top right corner. This will take you to our online store where you will see the "Dr. M. Lee Allison Memorial Scholarship" as the first item. If you would like to send a check, please make sure to make the check payable to "AWG Foundation", and write Dr. M. Lee Allison Fund on the memo line. Checks can be sent to:

Kate Johnson
AWG Foundation Treasurer
652 Glimmerglen Road
Cooperstown, NY 13326

or

AWG Salt Lake Chapter
P.O. Box 58691
Salt Lake City, UT 84158-0691

If you are writing a check:
The checks must include the word "Foundation" in order to be tax deductible. If you donate $250 or more, you will receive a written acknowledgment according to IRS requirements. For those donations less than $250, your tax deduction can be declared without a receipt (a copy of your check or a record of information listed on your credit card will suffice for taxes purposes)

Dr. M. Lee Allison (1948 - 2016)

Dr. M. Lee Allison, State Geologist and Director of the Arizona Geological Survey, passed away Tuesday, August 16^th, at noon after suffering a critical head injury from a fall at his home on Saturday. 

Lee’s passing is a tragic loss for his wife, family, staff of the Arizona Geological Survey, the geologic and geoinformatics communities, and Lee’s broad circle of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances around the world.  He was an incredibly dynamic leader of our agency, and a world-wide leader in many areas that were important to him. We mourn his passing, and will do our best to carry on his legacy.

There will not be a memorial service. Lee’s family has requested they not be contacted. Any messages of condolence can be addressed to AZGS team members; we will pass them along to his family.

Lee’s wife, Ann, suggested donations be made to the Association for Women Geoscientists/Salt Lake Chapter or to a scholarship fund that will be established at UMass to honor Lee.

Words of Emily Dickinson aptly apply: 
Because I could not stop for Death, he kindly stopped for me.  The carriage held but just ourselves and immortality.

We miss you Lee.

Arizona's Doug Bartlett elected president of AIPG

Doug Bartlett, a Principal and co-founder with Clear Creek Associates in Scottsdale, has been elected President-elect of the American Institute of Professional Geologists for 2017.  He will serve as President in 2018 and Past President in 2019.    Doug is currently serving as Treasurer in the AIPG National Executive Committee.  [Photo courtesy of Clear Creek Associates]


"The American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG), founded in 1963, is the largest association dedicated to promoting geology as a profession. It presently has more than 7,800 members in the U.S. and abroad, organized into 36 regional Sections. The Institute adheres to the principles of professional responsibility and public service and is the only international organization that certifies the competence and ethical conduct of geological scientists in all branches of the science with members employed in industry, government, and academia. AIPG emphasizes competence, integrity and ethics. AIPG is an advocate for the profession and communicates regularly to federal and state legislators and agencies on matters pertaining to the geosciences."

Centennial Museum transfers to AZGS today

The Arizona Centennial Museum, which was never opened, transfers today to the Arizona Geological Survey, to be reconfigured as the Arizona Mining, Mineral, and Natural Resource Education Museum.

The facility operated for decades as the Arizona Mining and Mineral Museum but was transferred to the Arizona Historical Society in 2010 to be revamped as the "Arizona Experience" museum in celebration of the 2012 Centennial.  However, funds were never raised to make the conversion and the museum has been vacant and empty since 2011.

Sen. Gail Griffin spearheaded the drive to transfer the museum to AZGS with the expanded vision.  The 26,000 square foot facility was originally built in 1929 as the Masonic Temple. It is a dominant fixture on the State Capitol Mall in Phoenix.

AZGS and AHS are collaborating on the transfer which includes the museum curator becoming an AZGS employee.  An inventory of all the museum assets is underway.    We expect to renew all of the loans of museum specimens and displays currently in place around the state.

 The state Dept. of Administration estimates $700,000 - $900,000 in repairs and updates are needed before building can be reoccupied.   AZGS is responsible as the building tenant for all repairs and remodeling.

The legislation transferring the museum also established an Advisory Council to be appointed by the Governor.

The University of Arizona Foundation has set up an account to accept donations for the new museum.    

We'll be posting information on how to nominate yourself or others to the Advisory Council, updates on the museum inventory, progress towards reopening the building, and plans for the new museum design.   A museum website is in development.