AGI Adopts the New Name of the American Geosciences Institute

Alexandria, VA - The American Geological Institute (AGI) is announcing that as of October 1, 2011 it is formally adopting the name the American Geosciences Institute. AGI has a rich history of nearly 65 years as the American Geological Institute providing support to the profession and the public through a wide array of programs in the geosciences. In the past several years, AGI has grown to 50 Member Societies, reflecting approximately a quarter of a million geoscientists in the United States alone. The disciplinary diversity of these societies has broadened as well, including space scientists, geographers, geophysicists, soil scientists, hydrogeologists, paleobotanists, educators, geobiologists, geoscientists involved in human health, and information specialists. AGI, as federation of these 50 Member Societies, is evolving to represent the integrative nature of geoscience across these fields.

“To understand the Earth and its workings, many aspects of the geosciences are required,” says P. Patrick Leahy, AGI Executive Director. “By changing to the American Geosciences Institute, AGI is recognizing the inherently integrative nature of our profession and as a way to celebrate the robust nature of the profession and practice today.”