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Geological Interpretative Center or "An attempt to explain the former changes of the Earths surfaces, by reference to causes now in operation" Charles Lyell 1832
Geological Interpretative Center (GIC)
Overview "That the elements of geology are so seldom taught either in our primary or secondary schools is a circumstance to be regretted. No tendency seems manifest toward any improvement in this particular." Alexander Winchell 1884
The goal of the geological interpretive center is to educate, inform and increase the public awareness of geology, using the Ruby Valley and surrounding environs to provide examples of geological principles and features. It is for students, educators, geologists and science hobbyist, tourists and area residents. It is a regional only in location and is designed to provide knowledge relevant to geology anywhere a traveler goes. There is ample evidence that our society has fallen behind in learning science. The GIC is designed to promote and encourage the development of science. "Geology is the study of the planet Earth the materials of which is made, the processes that act on these materials, products formed, in the history of the planet and its life forms since its origin. "1 It is the only science that incorporates all of the sciences, whether it's math and physics, biology or chemistry. It is an applied science, that is what you learn can actually be seen. 1 Glossary of Geology Fifth Edition
"Lack of adequate instruction in K-12 ..in geology are commonly cited as reasons why entering college students steer away from geology as a major. "GSA Feb 19, 2008
Introduction-what is a Geological Interpretive center?
An interpretive center explains an idea or theory and relates it to a physical or visual display. The center is a place to learn the Principles of Geology and where the geology enthusiast can further their knowledge. The physical site will use displays and local specimens in a park like setting. It will be designed so that visitors can experience Geology by seeing and touching what they read about. It will connect the visitor to the surrounding geographical area. The goal of the interpretive center is also to provide:
Geology tours and guest lecturers
More important-the visitor will be able to take the knowledge that they've learned and apply at as they travel throughout the world.
Other Potential Partners and programs
It is the intent to partner with local universities and museums with the intent to bring experts as guest lecturers to provide informational talks. College students studying geology and earth sciences can also be used to provide talks, answer questions and make presentations, in turn providing them with much needed experience. This includes the possibility of hosting travelling exhibits from the Museum of the Rockies, Montana Mining Museum and the Mineral Museum. This would be on a rotating basis and could be housed in the adjacent Moraine Center.
Educational Outreach This center is not just for visitors. Programs will be run specifically for the Twin Bridges and Sheridan High Schools as well as other Southwest Montana schools. This includes a virtual reference library as well as literature, papers and maps which could be kept at the local library. These programs will also act as an excellent avenue for allowing interns from the local colleges to gain field experience.
Site Location
 Sheridan, Montana at the base of the Tobacco Root Range The site will be located on land leased from the Philanthropy River Building on 120 Main St in Sheridan Montana. The center will also have access to the Moraine Center located in the building for lectures and classroom training. The area lies on glacial debris deposited as an alluvial fan, between two mountain ranges half as old as the earth itself, a story about time waiting to be discovered. The events taking place in the Ruby Valley resulted in the deposit of precious metals discovered by gold miners in the 1860s. While there is tourist activity surrounding the minerals and mining in the Ruby Valley, the purpose of the geological interpretive center is to teach geology and further science education.
Economic Benefit Sheraton Montana like many smaller rural towns is going through a transformation process. The geological interpretive center can act as an economic asset, providing a stimulus for local businesses. By providing a local park and open space for the town, there are additional intangible benefits that contribute to the perception of livability and quality of life in the area. There is expected to be some impact on the town of Sheridan in the areas of additional traffic, parking and potentially access to bathroom facilities. This may include some effort in keeping the site clean (garbage and litter removal) as well as the usual monitoring of any town park. According to the Montana Department of Transportation over 800,000 Vehicles Drive through Sheraton each year. The initial target for the center would be to 2,000 visitors (excluding local residents) or roughly 1/4 percent of the traffic. Promotions will be run on the web site (www.sheridanwired.com), Montana travel web sites as well as with Universities and specialty travel companies. The center will also be an open air park providing visitors a welcome stop for vacationers exploring southwest Montana. With the free Wi-Fi already in place, this will give visitors ample time to take advantage of shops in Sheridan. Finally-as the area continues to grow, there is a need to continue to provide cultural and social activities. These programs will be focused on improving an already high quality of life and adding to the attractiveness of the living in the Ruby Valley.
 Granite Boulders in the Highlands Range
Design Concept: Using low maintenance materials, an outdoor park with picnic tables and benches will be created to allow for year round public access. Stations will be placed throughout the park, using geological features from the surrounding mountain ranges and physical specimens to illustrate principles. The key principles include:
Board of Directors and administration The GIC will be a public foundation. There will be an active board as well as an advisory committee. Policies concerning conflict of interest, ADA and non-discrimination will be part of the charter. The towns of Sheridan and Twin Bridges as well as local area residents will be encouraged to participate.
 Gastropod Fossil in limestone formation
Staffing Depending on traffic and resource availability, discussions are underway to provide for students from the University of Montana in Dillon to staff the site and to provide a variety of informational sessions during certain times of the year. While the primary goal is to use volunteers, depending on the success of the center-some paid positions may become available.
 Columnar Basalt near Sandy Hollow in the McCartney Mountains Development The GIC is currently being incorporated and is applying for 501 c 3 status as an educational foundation. Seed money has been identified. While local area sponsors will be approached, the majority of the funding is expected to come from outside the area. In addition, a commitment for a long term lease for the property has been negotiated. The project is designed to be low maintenance, both from a physical and operational basis. Depending on interests and funding-the bulk of the project can be established as a onetime capital project with little ongoing operation costs. The ultimate objective would be to generate a large enough funding base for annual operating expense to provide grants and monies to sponsor ongoing activities -such as the museum exhibits and lecture series.
Construction It is our intention to use professional contractors to build the center. Several professional landscape architects have been identified and are bidding on the development of the site. Once their proposals have been reviewed and approved by the board, construction will begin. Funds will be put in place for on-going maintenance and upgrades.
 Oxbow Bend being formed on the Jefferson River near Twin Bridges
Summary-Learning to read Geology If you pick up a pebble, stone, rock or even look at a road cut you can tell you a lot about what has happened to cause the rock you are looking at to be formed. Rocks tell a story. Different rocks will have different stories. Some will only tell you how they were formed. Others will tell you about the conditions under which they were formed. Still others will tell you about the life on Earth during the time that they were formed. The Earth acts as a scribe to its own history. It records its own events as well as those organisms that live on it. It documents infinitesimally slow processes that change and modify its shape. It sometimes erases these memories and uses them to document new events. Sand, rock, dirt, hills, valleys, mountains, plains - all are telling us something. But what are they saying? It is for this reason that a Geological Interpretive Center is important. The geological interpretive center will help people learn to read Geology and encourage students in to be involved in the sciences. With the theories on Global Warming, concerns about water resources, questions about energy, issues about sustainability and the need to encourage science in schools, we need to be pro-active on how we prepare the next generation. As such, the goal of the geological interpretive center is to educate, inform and increase the public awareness of geology.
Contact: Information John Pohl tel: Sheridan, MT 406-842-5796 Seattle 206-362-2430 This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it
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