Boulder, Colo., USA: The Geological Society of America (GSA) is pleased to announce that its History and Philosophy of Geology Division has officially changed its name to the History, Philosophy, and Geoheritage (HPG) Division. The decision, approved by an overwhelming majority of the Division’s members, reflects a broadened mission that embraces geoheritage as a vital pillar of the geosciences.
“Integrating geoheritage into our Division’s mission affirms a deep and enduring commitment,” says Kerry Magruder, chair of the HPG Division. “Geoheritage bridges science with culture, conservation, and education, and integrating geoheritage specifically into our name reflects our commitment to fostering those connections.”
Geoheritage—the recognition and preservation of sites of geologic significance—has gained momentum as an interdisciplinary effort connecting geology with history, philosophy, public engagement and stewardship. In the fall of 2024, GSA deepened its commitment to this important work by becoming the sponsoring organization of the U.S. Geoheritage Committee.
“The inclusion of geoheritage into the HPG Division reflects GSA’s larger vision of honoring Earth’s legacy through science, education, and stewardship,” says GSA President Nathan Niemi. “As a Society, we are committed to fostering a broad and interdisciplinary approach to geoheritage, and we look forward to expanding our role as a trusted partner and advocate in this space.”
To celebrate this renewed focus, the HPG Division will host two dedicated geoheritage sessions at GSA Connects 2025 in San Antonio, Texas, USA. These sessions will explore the meanings and implications of geoheritage across boundaries—historical, disciplinary, geographical, national, political, institutional, and philosophical. Abstract submissions will be accepted until 6 August.
The Division also plans to expand its programming through collaborations with other GSA Scientific Divisions and external partners. Initiatives include:
- A Geoheritage Webinar Series, beginning with Foundations of U.S. Geoheritage Efforts: Preserving the Past, Advancing the Future, available to watch now in GSA’s webinar library
- Collaborations to increase open access to geoheritage publications
- Partnerships to establish a centralized online geoheritage resource center
- New cross-disciplinary engagement opportunities for members
“GSA is excited to help shape the future of geoheritage within the geoscience community,” says Melanie Brandt, GSA’s Executive Director and CEO. “This is a natural evolution that will foster growth, innovation, and deeper connections across disciplines and institutions.”
For more information about the History, Philosophy, and Geoheritage Division, upcoming events, or to get involved, visit the HPG Division website.
About the Geological Society of America
The Geological Society of America (GSA) is a global professional society with more than 17,000 members across over 100 countries. As a leading voice for the geosciences, GSA advances the understanding of Earth's dynamic processes and fosters collaboration among scientists, educators, and policymakers. GSA publishes Geology, the top-ranked geoscience journal, along with a diverse portfolio of scholarly journals, books, and conference proceedings—several of which rank among Amazon’s top 100 best-selling geology titles.
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