The Directorate for Geosciences (GEO) of the National Science Foundation (NSF) is planning to convene a series of "town meetings" with the geosciences community to discuss the goals and objectives that NSF seeks to accomplish through the support of the geosciences. These are intended to provide a forum for the geosciences community to discuss with NSF/GEO staff issues central to the future of our sciences. Given the outlook for constrained budgets and the impacts of budget cuts in other agencies, the discussions will focus on the scientific strategies and management approaches that are under consideration by GEO to achieve those goals while continuing to protect the health of the geosciences.
"Town meetings" are presently being arranged in conjunction with the following scientific meetings:
| GSA | Denver, CO | October 28-31, 1996 |
| Wednesday, October 30 | 5:45 to 7:45 p.m. | |
| Colorado Convention Center | Room A202-204 | |
| AGU | San Francisco, CA | December 15-19, 1996 |
| Sunday, December 15 | Time: TBA | |
| Moscone Center | Room: TBA | |
| AMS | Long Beach, CA | February 2-7, 1997 |
| Monday, February 3 | 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. | |
| Long Beach Convention Center | Ballroom B | |
| ASLO | Santa Fe, NM | February 10- 14, 1997 |
| TOS | Seattle, WA | April 1-4, 1997 |
| AGU | Baltimore, MD | May 19-23,1997 |
The NSF/GEO booth is also planned for these scientific meetings.
These "town meetings" are expected be informal, open exchanges of ideas, concerns and suggestions and are scheduled for two hours each. Senior staff from NSF's Office of the Assistant Director for Geosciences and from GEO's Divisions of Atmospheric, Earth and Ocean Sciences will participate.
The specific dates, times and locations of the "town meetings" will be advertised as far in advance as possible and at the scientific meetings at which they are to be held. Your comments on the proposed "town meetings," their format, and the issues to be discussed are invited. Please send comments and suggestions to: geo@nsf.gov
GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA (GSA) ANNUAL MEETING AND EXPOSITION
The first of these "Town Meetings" is scheduled in conjunction with the Geological Society of America's Annual Meeting in Denver, Colorado on October 30, 1996. While the meeting will be held in the GSA space at the Colorado Convention Center, GSA registration will not be required. Security personnel will be instructed that individuals attending the GEO "Town Meeting" are allowed entry without conference registration/badges. Since the Oklahoma City Bombing trial is being held in Denver, tighter security procedures could be implemented during the GSA Meeting. If you are planning to the attend the GEO 'Town Meeting" as a non-GSA participant, please send your name and affiliation via e:mail to geo@nsf.gov in case we have to go to a roster system for building access. For non-GSA participants attending the GEO "Town Meeting" who would like to take advantage of the conference while in Denver, GSA has one-day passes available at $138.00 and Exhibit-only passes for $20.00. Additional information is available from GSA at (303) 447-2020 or via e:mail at meetings@geosociety.org