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ATLANTIC GEOSCIENCE SOCIETY 2012 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Saturday, 4 February, 2012, noon Hotel Beauséjour, Moncton, New Brunswick
AGENDA

1) Approval of Agenda
2) Approval of minutes of 12 February, 2011, Annual General Meeting, Fredericton, NB
3) Matters Arising from the Minutes
4) Presentation of the Financial Report (K Howells)
5) Appointment of Financial Reviewers for 2012
6) Annual Reports of the 2011-12 Executive and Committees

Report from the President (J Walker)

Report from the Education Committee (J Bates)

Report from the EdGeo Workshop Committee (J Bates)

Report from the Video Committee (G Williams)

Report from the Products Committee (R Raeside)

Report from Atlantic Geology editors (S Barr)

Report from Science Atlantic (formerly APICS) Earth Science Committee (R Raeside)

Report from Publicity Coordinator (E Kosters)

Report from Webmaster (J MacIntosh)


7) Election of Incoming Executive & Councillors (J Walker)
8) Other Business Arising from Meeting
9) Adjournment
MINUTES OF THE 37TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ATLANTIC GEOSCIENCE SOCIETY

Saturday, 12 February, 2011, noon, Fredericton Inn, Fredericton, New Brunswick
President G Ferguson called the meeting to order at 12.40 p.m.

1) Approval of Agenda - D Skilliter moved, D Piper seconded, that the agenda be accepted as distributed. Carried
2) Approval of minutes - D Mosher moved, P Ryall seconded that the minutes of the 2010 Annual General Meeting, in Wolfville, NS, be accepted as distributed. Carried
3) Matters Arising from the Minutes - No matters were raised.
4) Presentation of the Financial Report - The financial report, compiled by treasurer K Howells, was distributed at the meeting, with salient comments provided by the treasurer in absentia. D Mosher drew attention to these highlights. A Ruffman that the financial report be received with thanks for the work over the last year; seconded by S McCutcheon. Carried
5) Appointment of Financial Reviewers for 2011 - E Kosters nominated P Ryall. D Mosher nominated M Lewis. D Mosher moved that nominations cease; seconded by R Miller. Carried. P Ryall and M Lewis were acclaimed. A request was then made to appoint a reviewer for the Atlantic Geology files. I Spooner volunteered to review the Atlantic Geology accounts. P Ryall moved, D Piper seconded, that nominations cease. Carried. I Spooner was acclaimed.
6) Annual Reports of the 2009-10 Executive and Committees - The annual reports were published in the Program and Abstracts volume, and some were orally addressed at the meeting: Report from the President (G Ferguson); Report from the Education Committee (J Bates); Report from the EdGeo Workshop Committee (J Bates); Report from the Video Committee (G Williams); Report from the Products Committee (R Raeside); Report from Atlantic Geology editors (S Barr); Report from the APICS Committee (R Raeside); Report from Publicity Coordinator (E Kosters); Report from Webmaster (J MacIntosh).

A Ruffman moved that the reports of the committees be accepted as published with thanks to chairs and participants. J Walker seconded the motion. Carried.


7) Changes to By-Laws -MOTION 1 – that the maximum membership of the Executive Council be increased by two student members to a total of 22. Student members will serve one-year terms, with one student to be a graduate student in good standing from any university in the Atlantic region, and one an undergraduate student in good standing from the university where the AUGC will occur during the year.

Moved by C Stanley, seconded by D Piper. Carried.

MOTION 2 – that the following text be added to Bylaw 28:

“If an Executive Officer or Council member anticipates being absent from a meeting, the individual will contact the President and/or Secretary preceding the meeting to provide advance notification of his or her absence. If an Executive Officer or Councilor is absent from three consecutive meetings, the member will be deemed to have resigned and the position declared vacant unless the Executive makes exception.”

Moved by P Ryall, seconded by C Stanley.

A Ruffman moved an amendment to add “without having given the prescribed notice” after “consecutive meetings”. After discussion, the amendment was withdrawn.

The motion was then carried with one abstention.
8) Election of Incoming Executive & Councillors

D Mosher presented the slate of councillors for election. After calling for nominations from the floor, the following slate was presented: President: J Walker, NB DNR; Vice-President: E Kosters, Wolfville; Treasurer: K Howells, Dartmouth; Secretary: R Raeside, Acadia; Past-President: G Ferguson, St. F.X.; Councillors: M Deptuck, C-NS OPB, M Graves, Dalhousie (undergraduate advisor), J Hanley, St. Mary’s (AGS-APICS speaker tour coordinator), A MacDonald, NS Dept Energy, J Macquaker, Memorial, A MacRae, St Mary’s, C McFarlane, UNB, A Miller, Wolfville, R Miller, NB Museum, H Sandeman, NL NRGS, D Skilliter, NS Museum Nat Hist, C Stanley, Acadia, K Thorne, NB DNR, G Wach, Dalhousie, C White, NS DNR, and Student councillors (one-year appointments): Calvin Campbell, Dalhousie and GSC-Atlantic, Megan MacDonald, Memorial

A Ruffman moved that the slate be accepted as read. R Wilson seconded. Carried.
9) Other Business Arising from Meeting - No business.
10 Adjournment - Meeting adjourned on a motion by M Graves.
Rob Raeside, Secretary, Atlantic Geoscience Society, February 4, 2012
2011-2012 PRESIDENT’S REPORT

It has been my honour and pleasure to serve as your president this past year. 2011-2012 has been a busy year for AGS with several challenges and opportunities facing Council. The year began on a strong note with a well-attended Annual Colloquium in Fredericton (approximately 200 delegates). This event offered a great program including a short course, and returned a strong profit. I would like to thank Dave Keighley and his organizing committee for making it the successful meeting that it was.

In the spring, AGS, in partnership with the Joggins Fossil Institute, was instrumental in bringing Nova Scotia’s provincial fossil Hylonomus lyelli home from the Museum of Natural History in London where it has resided since its discovery in 1859 by Pictou-born geologist, Sir John William Dawson. In addition to the exhibit, which was on display from April 23rd to October 31st, Cambridge University vertebrate palaeontologist Dr. Jenny Clack gave a presentation about the significance of this rare fossil, which is the earliest occurrence of reptilian life and ancestor to all reptiles, mammals, and birds.

The Society again hosted a booth at the increasingly popular Parrsboro Rock and Mineral Show. Special thanks are due to Nelly Koziel who cheerfully staffs the booth and dispenses of nearly $1000 worth of AGS materials each summer at this event. As an affiliated society of both the Canadian Association of Petroleum Geologists and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, AGS participated in the 3P (Polar Petroleum Potential) Conference held in Halifax in late August and early September. This well attended conference attracted petroleum geologists from around the world. At the opening session, AGS vice–president Elisabeth Kosters welcomed the delegates to Atlantic Canada and presented a brief overview of what our society is all about; and an AGS booth in the exhibit hall allowed delegates to purchase publications and discuss local geology with the society volunteers. Although AGS members organized three field trips for this conference, in the end, only the trip to the Joggins fossil cliffs went ahead. Despite the high tides and strong winds that marked the passing of Hurricane Irene, the trip was a great success. The high waves yielded new exposures which thrilled participants and trip leaders alike. Thanks to the work of trip leader Martin Gibling along with Elisabeth Kosters and Grant Wach, this fieldtrip raised in excess of $2800.00 for AGS. On behalf of the society I would like to thank all of the volunteers who worked on field trips or staffed the AGS booth at this conference.

In keeping with trends in other associations and professional Societies and after much discussion, AGS has, for the first time, acquired liability insurance to cover its officers and council during its day-to-day business as well as for AGS members on society-run field trips. This insurance was acquired at a discounted rate resulting from our membership in the Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences and is similar to the liability insurance held by the Geological Association of Canada.

Since its inception in 1972, the Atlantic Geoscience Society has been at the hub of the geoscience community in Atlantic Canada. This society attracts professional members from academia, industry, and government but is especially focused on student involvement and development while at the same time reaching out to the wider community through our educational initiatives. However, in these days of, dare I say, viral growth of social media, and instantaneous information dissemination, it is more important then ever that scholarly societies such as AGS take the lead in promoting our science. In a world where vast amounts of information are available with a few clicks of a mouse, the layman is ill equipped to discern geologic fact from geologic fiction. It is our duty as geoscientists to provide insight and thoughtful, balanced advice to the public concerning hot button issues such as shale gas or uranium exploration/exploitation, climate change, geohazards etc., while also helping to dispel geologic rumours and untruths. In order to do this effectively we must take every opportunity to engage the general public in geologic discussion.

With many baby-boomers reaching retirement age, the global geoscience community is facing a manpower shortage. AGS is also dealing with an aging membership, and coupled with shrinking workforces due to amalgamation in the industrial sector or down-sizing and attrition in provincial and federal surveys, the pool of potential members is declining. To help address this issue of an aging membership, in early 2010 council adopted a policy of reserving two positions for students. One of these positions is reserved for an undergraduate student from the school hosting the AUGC, whereas the second is reserved for a graduate student enrolled in an Earth Sciences department at an Atlantic University. This is a small but important step, as involvement of younger geoscientists is critical to the long-term growth of AGS. We must do what we can to encourage younger geoscientists to become involved with AGS beyond attendance at the annual colloquium. For example students and young professionals should be encouraged to contribute articles to Atlantic Geology, and become involved in outreach programs in schools and/or with the general public. Other opportunities for new members to become more actively involved with AGS include helping with our newsletter and Face book page. To those society members who have served on council or on committees in the past, I hope that you will continue to make tangible contributions and continue your support of Council and its various committees. Remember, Council can always benefit from the advice, experience and help of our membership. In any volunteer-run organization, success or failure is directly dependant on the number, activity, and energy of the volunteers who actively contribute to the organization.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members of AGS Council and its committees for serving the society and for the strong support they have given me this past year; your contributions are much appreciated. In particular, I thank Rob Raeside, our very well-organized and responsive secretary, for keeping us all on task. The coming year brings change to the face of Council, and I would like to thank and wish every success to Milton Graves and Deborah Skilliter, who are stepping down. Likewise, our warmest welcome to those members taking their places. I am sure that under the leadership of your new president, Elisabeth Kosters, Council will continue to provide excellent service to the society.



Finally, on behalf of Council and the general membership of AGS, I would like to acknowledge the contribution Ken Howells has made to the society. Ken has been an institution in AGS for as long as I can remember, and after serving as treasurer of the society for something close to 20 years, he is stepping down from council. It is the contributions of volunteers like Ken that makes AGS the strong society that it is, and it will be difficult replacing such an effective and diligent Treasurer. Despite the many changes and challenges faced by AGS over the past four decades it is still the preeminent voice of geoscience in Atlantic Canada, and is just as strong and vibrant in it fortieth year as it was in its first.
Jim Walker, President, Atlantic Geoscience Society, 2011-2012, February 4, 2012
ATLANTIC GEOSCIENCE SOCIETY EDUCATION COMMITTEE 2011 ANNUAL REPORT

Nova Scotia Branch

Nova Scotia Rocks: The second edition of the brochure remains near completion. A few sticky issues need to be resolved. With the extra time, additional funding is being sought to support the cost of production and printing. Print drafts of the second edition are available for viewing at the AGS booth at the Colloquium.

Fundy Basin Postcards: A final review of the text is required before the cards can be sent to the printer. Pricing has not been set.

Photographic Guild of NS: This year marked the 10-year anniversary for collaboration between AGS and PGNS. Two field trips were led for PGNS members: Bramber on the Noel shore and Joggins. The photo competitions continue for the Atlantic Geoscience Society and Last Billion Years awards. All entry photographs can be used by AGS for educational purposes. AGS or Education Committee members who are interested in “geophotography” and would like to be involved in these activities should contact AGS member Rob Fensome.

Earth Science Awards for Science Fairs: AGS Council asked the Education Committee to investigate how AGS might be involved in science fairs in NS schools. A subcommittee will look at possibilities.

Beyond “The Last Billion Years” Talk Series”: A talk series has not been organized since 2010. The current subcommittee members are overcommitted and will not continue. Hopefully there is a future of public talks in the form of either a different committee, collaboration with another group (e.g. Nova Scotia Institute of Science) or the more adventurous option of presenting topical topics.

Halifax Young Naturalists Club: Currently, Anne-Marie Ryan is the AGS representative. The club runs one meeting a month with in-house and field activities to young people aged 6 to 12.

Gesner Institute Society: A few members of the Education Committee are principals of GIS. The Society’s mandate is to preserve earth science collections across Nova Scotia and with that preserve Nova Scotia’s geoscience heritage. Developing a momentum has proven somewhat difficult. Is this a concern for the Atlantic Geoscience Society?

Four Billion Years book project: The manuscript is complete and with the copy editor. The selection of photographs is well underway. The English volume will be a co-publish between Nimbus Publishing and the Canadian Federation of Earth Sciences (CFES), and the French volume a co-publish between CFES and Quebec publisher Editions Multimondes. The retail cost of the English volume is expected to be $50.00. An accompanying website is under discussion.

The future: Discussion at a recent meeting touched on a number of ideas for future activities, projects, and approaches. Among the many suggestions were podcasts as education products, a Minas Basin Geopark, geocaching, and a vibrant and current web presence. Most important was the need to interest people who have the time to lead and co-ordinate the activities. The Committee needs to also attract younger members to hopefully ensure the ongoing active nature of the group.

Nova Scotia Branch members: Ken Adams, Dottie Alt, Sandra Barr, Jennifer Bates (chair), Paul Batson, Jennifer Carroll, Laurel Christie, Carol Corbett, Garth Demont, Howard Donohoe, Warren Ervine, Gordon Fader, Rob Fensome, David Frobel, Martha Grantham, Bob Grantham, Melissa Grey, Andrew Henry, Fenton Isenor, Chris Jauer, Heather Johnson, George Jordan, Elisabeth Kosters, Andrew MacRae, Henrietta Mann, Chris Mansky, Brian Matthews, Ann Miller, Murray Metherall, Brendan Murphy, Roger Outhouse, Patrick Potter, Pat Ryall, Anne Marie Ryan, John Shimeld, Matt Stimson, Pat Welton, Dustin Whalen, Sonya Woods, Davilyn Williams, Graham Williams, and Marcos Zentilli.

New Brunswick Branch

Education activity continues at the Stonehammer Geopark, located in southern New Brunswick. An EdGEO workshop was held August 22-23 for teachers of the province. The program highlighted the bedrock and glacial geology of the Geopark. Participants received resources to use in the classroom. The workshop was a huge success and there are plans for a repeat performance in 2012.

NB branch members continue to be active in education events in their part of the province whether it be science fairs, presentations, or curriculum development.

New Brunswick Branch members: Toon Pronk (chair), Dave Lentz, Gwen Martin, Malcolm McLeod, Randy Miller, Adrian Park, Mike Parkhill, Jim Walker, and Reg Wilson.

Promotion, External Collaboration, and Internal Communication

Promotion is the responsibility of each sub-committee. The Chair of the Nova Scotia Branch of the Education Committee (or designate) is an ex officio member of AGS Council. The AGS President is an ex officio of the Education Committee, and receives copies of meeting minutes and invitations to meetings. Several Committee members sit on the current AGS Council.

A number of AGS members participate in or lead the development of education resources under the auspices of other like-minded groups and committees: Garth Demont - NS community interactions; Rob Fensome - Geology of Canada book; Nancy Muzzatti - AGS Video Committee; Jennifer Bates - NS EdGEO Committee; Ken Adams - Fundy Geological Museum, Martha Grantham - Eastern Shore Education Resource Centre, and Melissa Grey - Joggins Fossil Centre. Education activities in Newfoundland and Labrador are organized under the Newfoundland and Labrador section of the Geological Association of Canada.

The Education Committee has submitted articles in the past to the AGS Newsletter, GEOLOG, What on Earth, National EdGEO newsletter, and science education newsletters. The Education Committee page on the AGS website is in desperate need of an update.



Treasurer’s Report

A financial report has been submitted to AGS Treasurer. Member Nelly Koziel co-ordinates sales for the Committee.


Jennifer Bates, Chair, AGS Education Committee, February 4, 2012
NOVA SCOTIA EDGEO WORKSHOP COMMITTEE 2011 ANNUAL REPORT

The Nova Scotia EdGEO Workshop Committee has offered annual workshops for teachers since 1994. More than 300 educators have attended over the 18-year life of the program. The workshops are endorsed by the Nova Scotia Association of Science Teachers and the Nova Scotia Social Studies Teachers Association and they are evaluated as a valid Professional Development opportunity by the Nova Scotia Department of Education.

In August 2011, the 18th annual Nova Scotia EdGEO Workshop was held for educators of science, geology and geography. The attendees represented grades from senior elementary to high school in schools and educational venues located across the province. The workshop entitled “What does the landscape have to do with geology?” emphasized the link between landscape and geology. Geoscience experts shared their understanding of the Quaternary geology, soils, and geomorphology of the Halifax area. The workshop was held at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography in Dartmouth. Hands-on classroom activities were paired with a field trip to locations in and near Halifax-Dartmouth. Resources included a CD of activities and materials for the classroom, a resource package of pamphlets, booklets and posters, and AGS’ “Geological Highway Map of Nova Scotia”, “Halifax Harbour: A Geological Journey” DVD, and “The Last Billion Years” book. Each participant received a certificate for 16 hours of professional development.

Here is some of the encouraging feedback from attendees. “Stimulating, well done, thank you ... I leave with great stuff for my Geology & Science 10 classes.”, “The format was great! Very motivating”, “Wonderfully organized and informative. Educational and entertaining. Thank-you.”, “Thanks once again for making Geology interesting and easier to understand ..”, and “great workshop Wonderful activities, field trips and presenters!”.

It is important to recognize the people who have ensured the long life of the Nova Scotia EdGEO Workshop Program. The workshops succeed because of their support, participation, knowledge, experience, enthusiasm, and dedication. The Committee is a composite of people in the geoscience and education communities, namely Dottie Alt, Paul Batson, Sonya Dehler, Howard Donohoe, Rob Fensome, Cindy Hiseler, Heather Johnson, Nelly Koziel, Bill MacMillan, Henrietta Mann, Murray Metherall, Nancy Muzzatti, Patrick Potter, Anne Marie Ryan, John Shimeld, Deborah Skilliter, Wendy Spicer, Bev Williams, and Graham Williams. Just as important are the ‘adjunct’ members who have run sessions and/or led field trips. They include Sandra Barr, John Calder, Terry Goodwin, Bob Grantham, Martha Grantham, Milton Graves, Fenton Isenor, Becky Jamieson, Andrew MacRae, Mike Melchin, Brendan Murphy, Mike Parsons, Ian Spooner, Matt Stimson, and Tim Webster.

The 2011 workshop ran “in the black”. A financial report was submitted to the AGS Treasurer.

In 2012, the Nova Scotia Workshop Committee is stretching its reach and planning a workshop that will demonstrate the connections between geology and related disciplines. Interested Committee members with experts from Dalhousie University and the federal department of Fisheries and Oceans will host a two-day workshop entitled “Oceans: Modern and Ancient” at the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (BIO) in Dartmouth, NS. The August 22-23 workshop is a part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the BIO.
Jennifer Bates, Chair, Nova Scotia EdGEO Workshop Committee, February 4, 2012
ATLANTIC GEOSCIENCE SOCIETY VIDEO COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT FOR 2011

During its 29 years of existence, the AGS Video Committee has seen many changes. In the 1980s and 1990s, video was the last word in technology for producing films and funding was readily available from both government and industry sources. Who amongst the older members, and I use the term deferentially, will forget the excitement when Shell Canada presented AGS with a cheque for $55,000.00 to help defray the costs of “The Recent Ice Age”. Today, the situation has changed radically. The replacement for VHS tapes, the DVD, is itself being replaced by direct download from the internet, leaving one to wonder about the future distribution of video. Another concern is the attention span of the watcher. Thirty years ago, video was a novelty. Now, an educational product has to be outstanding to maintain interest for a full 30 minutes.

The above are problems that the AGS Video Committee is grappling with as it tries to develop the concept of the “Bay of Fundy Story”. What is the targeted audience? What are the highlights that we need to cover? How much emphasis should there be on geology, archaeology, natural history, or ecology? What should be the ultimate product or series of products? Is it preferable to have a series of vignettes or still aim for a production of 26 minutes. In what format(s) should the product be made available? Do we need a teacher’s guide, or several guides, or none at all? A key to the whole project is where do we get the funding?

To get the best possible results, the Video Committee has formed an ad hoc Fundy Story Committee, comprised of members with expertise in geology, archaeology, and recent history. The membership includes: Ken Adams, Conrad Byers, Kerr Canning, Gordon Fader, Rob Fensome, Dave Frobel, Melissa Grey, Sue Johnson, Randy Miller, Nancy Muzzatti, Roger Outhouse, Patrick Potter, Leah Rosenmeier, Ralph Stea, Victor Tetrault, Brian Todd, and Tracy Webb. We are making progress in answering some of the concerns but need to ensure that we have a sound business plan before seeking funding.

Other activities of the Video Committee during 2011 have been more subdued but equally significant. One sad occasion was the resignation of David Hopper as Treasurer after a tenure of more than 15 years. David did an outstanding job of keeping the books in order and ensuring that the Committee did not spend beyond its means. Fortunately, we have an excellent replacement for David: Nelly Koziel agreed to be the new Treasurer and took over in May. David continues to serve on the Committee.

Sales of the two videos “Halifax Harbour: A Geological Journey” and the Combo video continue to move forward and only one of the teacher’s guides is now readily available. We owe a debt of gratitude to Nancy Muzzatti for serving as our marketing expert and to Dave Frobel who has freshened up the packaging.

The success of the AGS Video Committee over so many years reflects the commitment and hard work of its members: Jennifer Bates, Gordon Fader, Dave Frobel, David Hopper, Bob Miller, Nancy Muzzatti, Patrick Potter, and Graham Williams. Thank you for your continuing input and enthusiasm.
Graham Williams, Chair, Atlantic Geoscience Society Video Committee, February 4, 2012
ATLANTIC GEOSCIENCE SOCIETY PRODUCTS COMMITTEE ANNUAL REPORT, 2011

The products committee reviews, on behalf of council, proposals for funding of loans and grants requested of the Society that relates to the production of a physical entity. In the past year proposals included:



  • Hylonomus lyelli exhibit and Jenny Clack visit - $4760;

  • Ice age biodiversity poster - $450;

  • BLBY talk series - $360.

The first two items were recommended and subsequently funded. The talk series was not supported/awarded since it did not go ahead. The products committee will welcome more proposals for 2012. Application details are on the website.
Dave Keighley, Chair, AGS Products Committee, February 4, 2012
ATLANTIC GEOLOGY EDITORS’ REPORT (2011-2012)

Volume 47 (2011) is complete, and the final paper for the volume was posted to the website (http://journals.hil.unb.ca/index.php/AG) on January 11th, 2012. The volume contains 10 papers, including a set of 4 papers for the “special series” on Natural Hazards, co-edited by Ian Spooner and Dan Utting. It also contains the usual 3 sets of abstracts (AGS, NL section GAC, and AUGC), for a total of 248 pages, our largest volume in recent years (v. 46, 205 pages; v. 45, 216 pages; v. 44, 185 pages; v. 43, 209 pages, v. 42 = 205 pages, v. 41 = 194 pages). We printed paper copies of the volume to 28 subscribers (the same number as in 2010) who requested them and paid an extra fee to cover the cost. The printed volumes were mailed on January 16, 2012. Currently, we have 6 manuscripts at various stages of the review and editing process for v. 48 (2012).

The on-line manuscript submission and reviewing process continues to be done using OJS (Open Journal System) software, managed by the Electronic Text Centre at the University of New Brunswick. Papers and sets of abstracts are posted to the website as they become ready, and the date of posting is listed with the html file for each paper on the website, along with the dates of submission and acceptance. The journal is a member of CrossRef, and as such, each paper is assigned a unique identifier number known as a DOI. In September, 2011, Thomson Reuters accepted our application for reinstatement in the Web of Knowledge, meaning that Atlantic Geology is again covered in the Science Citation Index-Expanded (SCIE), including the Web of Science ISI Alerting Service and Current Contents/ Physical, Chemical & Earth Sciences. The journal also continues to be included in a number of other databases such as SCOPUS, Geobase (Elsevier), and Georef.

The number of individual subscribers increased slightly in 2011, but continues to be low because most of us now have access to the journal through our institutions or places of employment. The total number of institutional subscribers continues to increase. We benefit from our membership in the Erudit consortium, a Quebec-based journal aggregating group that provides journals to institutions, including those that are part of the Canadian Research Knowledge Network. We are now reaching, potentially at least, many more readers than ever in the history of the journal.

Our financial situation continues to be robust due to the relatively low cost of electronic publishing and the increasing numbers of subscribers. During the period January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2011, we had 9000 visits to the journal website (up from 4500 during 2010), of which 6683 were separate individuals (i.e. many people visited more than once), in contrast to 2840 separate individuals during 2010. The visitors were mostly from Canada, USA, and UK.

The editors are grateful to Chris White for his outstanding work as Production and Financial Manager of “Atlantic Geology”. We thank the associate editors and other reviewers of manuscripts for their help, without which we would not have a high quality journal. We especially acknowledge Ken Howells who completed his term as an associate editor at the end of 2011. We have appreciated his help over many years in reviewing papers with a geophysical focus. Reviewers’ names are acknowledged on the journal website unless anonymity was requested. We also thank authors for supporting the journal by submitting papers, and as always, we welcome your manuscript submissions.


Sandra Barr, Rob Fensome, Simon Haslett, and David West (co-editors, Atlantic Geology), February 4, 2012
SCIENCE ATLANTIC EARTH SCIENCES COMMITTEE REPORT, FEBRUARY, 2012

APICS (Atlantic Provinces Council on the Sciences) formally made the transition to Science Atlantic in September 2011. The discipline committees, including the Earth Sciences committee continue with the same structure as before. The two main activities of the Earth Science Committee are the organization of the Science Atlantic-AGS speaker tour and the AUGC.



Speaker tour – Science Atlantic (ES) co-sponsors a visiting speaker tour with the Atlantic Geoscience Society, coordinated by Jacob Hanley. The 2011-12 speakers are Cliff Shaw (UNB), visiting MUN, Dalhousie, and St. FX in March and Fraser Keppie (NS DNR) visiting UNB, Acadia, and St. Mary’s in January. Fraser’s lecture is entitled “How do supercontinents break up?”

AUGC – The 61st AUGC was held at Memorial University on 20-22 October. Funding was successful, with an estimate of $39,000 raised or paid. Fund-raising was exceptionally successful with $25,000 raised from corporate sponsors, and over $5000 from local fund-raising activities. There were 17 oral presenters and 4 poster presentations.

A member of the AUGC organizing committee has participated in council meetings of the Atlantic Geoscience Society for the past year. This appears to have worked well, and ensured communication lines stayed open with the organizing group at Memorial.



AUGC Awards were made as follows:

- APICS(Science Atlantic): NSERC award: Dewey Dunnington, Acadia.

- CSPG award: Derrick Midwinter, Dalhousie.

- Frank Shea award - best paper in economic geology: Erin Adlakha, St. Mary’s

- CSEG Foundation award - best paper in geophysics: Andrea Christians, St. Mary’s

- Best Poster award, provided by Imperial Oil: Mariella Nalepa, Acadia

- CSEG Challenge Bowl: University of New Brunswick.

- in addition the Atlantic Geoscience Society recognises all presenters with a certificate.



AUGC Field trips/short courses were organized as follows:

1. Reservoir Core from the Jeanne d'Arc Basin – staff from Canada-Newfoundland & Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board’s Core Storage and Research Centre

2. A Geological Tour Through The Eastern Avalon High-Alumina Belt, Eastern Avalon Zone, Newfoundland - Greg Sparkes, Geol. Surv. Newfoundland & Labrador

3. The Battery-Signal Hill Precambrian Succession – Greg Dunning, Memorial University

4. Sedimentology and ichnology of the Cambro-Ordovician on Bell Island, Conception Bay, NL – Duncan McIlroy and Dario Harazim, Memorial University

5. The Avalonian Orogeny at Flat Rock: Sedimentation and erosion during folding and thrusting in the Late Precambrian – Tom Calon, Memorial University

At the Student-Industry luncheon, a keynote presentation was given by Ali Aksu, Memorial University on “The architecture of a saline density-current channel created by Mediterranean inflow into the Black Sea through the Strait of Bosporus”. The banquet speaker was Derek Wilton, Memorial University, who gave a talk entitled “Looking for Oscar Lieber’s Journal – How the American Civil War interrupted Labrador history.”



50th Anniversary celebrations: the Earth Sciences committee is organizing its recognition of the 50th anniversary of APICS/Science Atlantic at the 2012 conference at Dalhousie, in October. The organizing committee has indicated its intent to invite to the conference prominent Atlantic region scientists, particularly those who have APICS connections in the past, and to relate their subsequent work. This will be done in place of the keynote speaker.
Rob Raeside, Chair, Science-Atlantic Earth Sciences Committee, February 4, 2012
ATLANTIC GEOSCIENCE SOCIETY WEBMASTER REPORT 2011

During the period of January 1, 2011 to January 24, 2012 there have been 3850 visits by 2415 unique visitors, to the AGS website. Out of this total 59.5% are new visitors. A breakdown of the visitors is: Canada (3032), USA (349), UK (73), Brazil (52), Indonesia (29), India (29), Germany (27), Netherlands (18), France (13), and Australia (12). The highest volume is for the period of late December 2011 to the end of January, leading up to the Colloquium. The average time spent on the site is 1 minute and 9 seconds which reflects the fact that the AGS site links to outside websites, such as those set up for this Colloquium. The webmaster and the Editor of the AGS newsletter are working on a more efficient means to deliver the newsletter via the website to replace the pdf version.


Joe MacIntosh, Webmaster, Atlantic Geoscience Society, February 4, 2012
ATLANTIC GEOSCIENCE SOCIETY PUBLICITY COORDINATOR REPORT 2011

According to the AGS Bylaws, the publicity coordinator: (1)is appointed by Council, and need not be a member of Council; (2) prepares and keeps current an AGS display suitable for use at conferences or annual meetings of AGS, GAC-MAC, GSA, provincial government Open Houses, etc; (3) is responsible for getting display to venue and arranging for it to be set up and staffed; (4) prepares publicity/information material on AGS for promotional or fund-raising purposes; and (5) prepares media releases on the activities (including meetings, awards, and grants) and forwards such documents to relevant media outlets and to the website manager.

I was invited as publicity coordinator in 2006, the first year I produced a media-release about the AGS Colloquium. I want to use this opportunity to give credit to Nelly Koziel who has tirelessly taken care of the AGS display and booth (points 2 and 3) at all kinds of events. I have only ever produced a media release for the colloquium since 2006. This report refers only to the result of the media release of 2011 (attached separately).

I am happy to report that we had great success with this media release. A reporter from the Daily Gleaner came to the special session on salt water intrusion and the paper produced an article on this subject. Unfortunately, I cannot attach a copy of the article as the Daily Gleaner has updated its website and no longer keeps pdfs of anything older than 3 months! I was told by the Daily Gleaner that the Fredericton Public Library would be able to provide a copy. The salt water intrusion issue was also picked up by CBC radio which interviewed Karl Butler. After six media releases I would like to offer that New Brunswick media are more interested in these sorts of issues than Nova Scotia media.

I continue to be of the opinion that the AGS Colloquium is an excellent venue and opportunity for reaching out to the public about the relevance of earth sciences. In absence of another volunteer, I am prepared to provide a media release next year.
Elisabeth Kosters, Publicity Coordinator, Atlantic Geoscience Society, February 4, 2012
MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release February 9, 2011



FROM SALT WATER INTRUSION TO POTENTIAL METAL RESOURCES: CRITICAL NEW BRUNSWICK ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED AT AGS CONFERENCE
Fredericton, NB – On Friday and Saturday February 11 and 12, more than 200 earth scientists from industry, government and academia from across Atlantic Canada will meet in the Fredericton Inn for the Annual Conference of the Atlantic Geoscience Society. About 100 presentations and posters will cover a range of topics. There are special sessions on climate change induced groundwater vulnerability in Atlantic Canada (especially relevant for agriculture), on metals potential in Northern New Brunswick and on petroleum in Southern New Brunswick.

One of Canada’s best known geoscientists, Dr. Jim Franklin, will give the keynote lecture in which he will discuss what types of new knowledge are needed for the discovery of future mineral resources. Dr. Franklin will especially focus on what Canada will need to do in R&D investments to stay at the forefront of this ever more important field of expertise: our world is still becoming more dependent on digital technology, which is uniquely dependent on a vast array of ever more rare minerals and metals.

This year’s conference is another example of how relevant earth science is for society. The special sessions are of particular significance for New Brunswick as they address critical issues pertaining to its environment and economy. AGS is a small, highly productive and efficient society that pays a significant service to the public” says Dr. Grant Ferguson, professor of hydrogeology at St. Francis the Xavier University and president of AGS. The general public will be able to attend sessions for a $10.00 entrance fee. No need to pre-register.

For more information on this weekend’s conference, please see the list of key topics on the following page, or download the program from http://www.unb.ca/fredericton/science/geology/2011_AGS/AGS_welcome.php.



More about the Atlantic Geoscience Society at http://ags.earthsciences.dal.ca/ags.php
KEY TOPICS AT THE ATLANTIC GEOSCIENCE SOCIETY MEETING

The 2011 Atlantic Geoscience Society annual conference addresses earth science issues that are relevant to Canadians and their daily lives:


  • The Appalachians

    • Reconstructing their origin

    • New insights in the resources of the Bathurst mining camp

  • Groundwater vulnerability in Atlantic Canada: climate change, salt water intrusion, agriculture

    • The vulnerability of shallow lakes

    • Mapping and monitoring salt water intrusion

    • Quantifying and tracing mercury in soils, lakes and streams

    • New techniques for understanding flows between groundwater wells

  • Surficial materials and the environment

    • Tracing pollution histories of the Sydney and Halifax harbours using microfossils

    • Inventory and mitigation of exposure to naturally occurring radon

  • And further

    • Uranium-bearing granites in New Brunswick

    • Health and safety in mineral exploration

    • Reconstructing climate over the last 5,000 years

    • Tourist-induced erosion problems

  • The curator of geology of the New Brunswick Museum in Saint John, Dr. Randy Miller, is available to answer questions about the Stonehammer Geopark (Saint John area).

  • The curator of geology of the Nova Scotia Museum of Natural History in Halifax, Ms. Deborah Skilliter, is available to answer questions about their smash hit exhibit ‘A T-Rex named Sue’.

Full program available at: http://www.unb.ca/fredericton/science/geology/2011_AGS/AGS_welcome.php



Members of the media are welcome to attend. Interviews with spokespersons and speakers can be arranged.

Contacts: David Keighley: 506-471-6779 or Elisabeth Kosters, ph: 902-542-6125, cell: 902-665-0485, eckosters@hotmail.com





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