University of Nevada - Reno
October 19-22, 2008

What?
EarthScope is a nationwide effort that applies the latest science and technology to explore the structure and evolution of the North American continent and understand processes that cause earthquakes and volcanic eruptions (www.earthscope.org). The western United States is a prime target area for EarthScope to investigate continental rifting processes that result in elevated topography, earthquakes, and volcanism. Interpretive professionals in the Basin and Range Province have the unique opportunity to engage the public on the relevance of EarthScope continental rifting discoveries as they are being made. This 3-day workshop combines presentations by EarthScope scientists and interpretive specialists to convey the story of how continental rifting processes result in the region's breathtaking landscape and geological processes. Participants will learn how to use EarthScope data and science results, and will develop and present actual interpretive programs during the workshop. The goal is to help interpreters create opportunities for the public to form their own intellectual and emotional connections to the dynamic landscape of the Basin and Range Province.

Sponsored by:
EarthScope National Office, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, and University of Nevada-Reno.

Who should attend?
Interpretive professionals from the National Park Service, U. S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, state parks, museums, state geological surveys, and other agencies that engage the public on geological features and processes in the Basin and Range Province. Participants do not have to be geologists, but they should have some knowledge of the geology and tectonics of the region and experience incorporating geological information into interpretive programs or exhibits. There is also room for a few K-12 Earth science teachers who interact with interpretive specialists in parks or museums.

Funding:
Participants' organizations provide travel costs to and from the workshop. The EarthScope National Office (ESNO) provides food, lodging, materials, and field trip travel while at the workshop. CD's, printed handouts, and other workshop materials will be provided by the ESNO at no cost to participants.

Lodging:
Rooms have been booked at the Silver Legacy Resort and Casino in downtown Reno (www.silverlegacyreno.com). The ESNO will pay for double-occupancy rooms for participants. (Single rooms are available for those participants wishing to pay half the room rate - the ENSO will pay the other half).

Session Locations:
Workshop sessions will be held in meeting rooms at the Silver Legacy Resort and Casino and on the campus of the University of Nevada-Reno (15-minute walk from the Silver Legacy).

Field Trip:
The morning field trip on Tuesday (Oct. 21) will depart from and return to the Silver Legacy. A big-yellow school bus will be provided. The trip will include a two-mile (round trip) hike from the parking area to the top of Slide Mountain for a breathtaking view of Basin and Range landscape and a visit to an active GPS station.

Food:
All food will be provided by the ESNO from Sunday dinner through Wednesday lunch, including meals at the Silver Legacy and catering though the University of Nevada-Reno. The field trip will include a box lunch enjoyed at the top of Slide Mountain! Vegetarian and other food accommodations are available upon request.

Commitment:
Participants and instructors are required to attend the full three days of the workshop (from 6:00 PM Sunday, October 19 to 12:00 Noon Wednesday, October 22). Each participant and their supervisor must commit to providing follow-up training to their staff members on how EarthScope data, scientific results, and societal implications can be incorporated into interpretive programs at their site.



Instructors:
Dr. Jochen Braunmiller (Research Assoc., Oregon State Univ. and Science/Planning Specialist for EarthScope National Office)
Dr. Bill Hammond (Research Asst. Professor, University of Nevada - Reno and expert on GPS and continental dynamics)
Dr. Corne Kreemer (Research Asst. Professor, University of Nevada - Reno and expert on GPS and crustal deformation)
Dr. Bob Lillie (Professor of Geology at Oregon State University and EarthScope Education/Outreach Manager)
Allyson Mathis (Science and Education Outreach Coor. at Grand Canyon National Park and specialist on Interpretive Methods)
Dr. Ken Smith (Research Asst. Prof., University of Nevada - Reno and expert on seismicity of the Basin and Range Province)
Dr. Brian Wernicke (Prof., Calif. Inst. of Technology and specialist on structure and tectonics of the Basin and Range Province)