Berg appointed new Illinois State Geological Survey director

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[July 03, 2015]  CHAMPAIGN, Ill. Richard C. Berg, Ph.D., has been appointed director of the Illinois State Geological Survey and the 13th Illinois State Geologist. Berg has served as interim director since May 2014 and was previously chief scientist. The Survey is part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Berg received his doctorate in soil geomorphology from Illinois; his master’s degree in geomorphology from Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti; and his bachelor’s degree in physical geography from Indiana State University, Terre Haute. A native of Worcester, Mass., Berg originally moved to the Midwest to pursue his education but has spent his career here. He began at the ISGS in 1974 as a research assistant in the stratigraphy section while pursuing his Ph.D. He has headed various survey sections over his 40-year career and became chief scientist in 2009. He has led numerous multidisciplinary groups at the ISGS and made significant contributions to the discipline through his leadership in the Geological Society of America.
 


“We are delighted that Dr. Berg has accepted the appointment as permanent director of ISGS,” said Brian D. Anderson, Ph.D., interim executive director of the Prairie Research Institute. “His experience with federal, state, and local officials to garner support for a state and national 3-D geological mapping program also brought attention to Illinois’ mineral and energy resource, flooding, sinkhole, earthquake, and climate change issues with this crucial audience,” said Anderson. “I have confidence he will continue to be strategic and forward thinking as he leads the ISGS into an exciting future.”

“I am gratified to have the opportunity to continue my work and lead this trusted and innovative organization that has served the people of Illinois for over 100 years,” said Berg. “I believe interdisciplinary research and service among the five surveys of the Institute is key to finding solutions to the state’s natural and cultural resources issues now and in the future as well as drawing upon expertise within the expansive natural resource and engineering disciplines at the university,” he added.

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Founded in 1905, the ISGS serves the needs of Illinois with earth science information relevant to the state’s environmental quality, economic vitality, and public safety. Some 200 scientists and technical support staff conduct basic and applied research in geology, compile geologic maps, and gather and manage the state’s geological data to provide information to industry, governmental agencies and the public about the geology and mineral resources of Illinois. The ISGS is part of the Prairie Research Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. For more information, please visit www.isgs.illinois.edu.

The Prairie Research Institute is the home of the State Scientific Surveys. It is the applied research arm of the state of Illinois, building on the surveys’ 160-year reputation for basic and applied research and service. The Institute works to steward Illinois’ natural and cultural resources by applying cutting-edge science, collecting long-term data, and providing expertise to help decision makers solve critical resource issues to benefit Illinois’ economy, environment, and people. The five surveys are the Illinois Natural History Survey, Illinois State Archaeological Survey, Illinois State Geological Survey, Illinois State Water Survey, and Illinois Sustainable Technology Center. For more information, please visit www.prairie.illinois.edu.

[Angela M. Wisehart, Prairie Research Institute]

 

 

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