Background:
Landslides are a hazard that affects every U.S. state and territory, causing at least $1 billion in damage and 25–50 deaths annually in the United States. They include mudslides and debris flows, rockfalls, and slope failures, and occur due to both natural and human causes. The impacts of landslides can include damaged property, blocked or destroyed roads and other infrastructure, dammed streams and rivers (increasing flood risk), habitat loss, and loss of life. They can also occur in conjunction with other natural hazards such as floods, tsunami, earthquakes, and volcanic activity. Assessing and monitoring landslide risk helps to guide decisions that can reduce human and infrastructural vulnerability.

In this webinar, experts in landslide characterization, mapping, and risk reduction discuss landslide impacts in the United States; landslide research and mapping at the federal, state, and local levels; funding mechanisms for landslide mapping; and strategies for engaging communities in landslide risk reduction.

Our speakers are:

• Jonathan Godt, Acting Science Advisor for Earthquake and Geologic Hazards, U.S. Geological Survey | Slides | Video
• Jennifer Bauer, Co-Owner and Principal Geologist, Applachian Landslide Consultants | Slides | Video
• Eric Waage, Director, Hennepin County, MN Emergency Management | Slides | Video

Additional Resources

• View this webinar's Question & Answer session
• U.S. Geological Survey - National Landslide Hazards Program

Search the Geological Surveys Database for reports and factsheets about landslides.

Media Partners and Sponsors

Thank you to our media partners, the American Geophysical Union, Association of American State Geologists, Association of Environmental & Engineering Geologists, American Meteorological Society, Geological Society of America, International Association of Emergency Managers, National Association of State Boards of Geology, Natural Hazard Mitigation Association, Seismological Society of America, Soil Science Society of America, and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

This webinar is generously sponsored by:

coloradogeologicalsurvey.org

www.golder.com

CEU Credits

To earn CEU credits, please complete the associated on-demand GOLI course that was developed from this webinar with a grade of 70% or higher and then submit your application for CEUs. CEUs are awarded from the American Institute of Professional Geologists. To view the full list of on-demand GOLI courses, please browse the GOLI course catalog.

Webinar Materials

• Presentation Slides
•  View this webinar's Question & Answer session
• Additional Questions & Answers from the webinar

Resources to learn more

• Browse the gallery of Esri StoryMaps
• Join AGU's Sharing Science Community
  This online community provides members the opportunity to interact with other communication/outreach-interested parties, access to a library of over 100 scholarly manuscripts on the science of science communication, the opportunity to receive information and updates from the program, and more.
• Learn more about how you can acquire important skills for a career in GIScience or Data Science by browsing the Career Compasses.

About Our Speaker

Joseph Kerski, PhD, GISP is the Education Manager at ESRI. He is a geographer with a focus on the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in education. Joseph was the President of the National Council for Geographic Education and gave an invited TED Talk in 2018 on “The Whys of Where”. He has served as geographer in four major sectors of society, including government (with NOAA, the US Census Bureau, and the US Geological Survey), academia (with Sinte Gleska University, the University of Denver, and as MOOC instructor for Penn State University, Elmhurst College, and eNet Learning), private industry (as Education Manager for Esri), and nonprofit organizations (with roles in the National Council for Geographic Education, the American Association of Geographers, and others). He has worked with AGI for many years on the Global GIS project and Earth Science Week. Joseph has authored over 75 chapters and articles on Geographic Information Systems (GIS), education, earth science, physical and cultural geography, mathematics, fieldwork, teaching and learning, and related topics, and makes frequent presentations at conferences and university campuses. He is active in conducting professional development training for primary, secondary, and university educators. He has authored or co-authored seven books, including Interpreting Our World: 100 Discoveries that Revolutionized Geography, Essentials of the Environment, Spatial Mathematics, Tribal GIS, International Perspectives on Teaching and Learning in Secondary Education, and the GIS Guide to Public Domain Data.

Media Partners

• American Geophysical Union
• American Institute of Professional Geologists
• European Federation of Geologists
• Geological Society of America
• National Association of State Boards of Geology
• National Science Foundation - Directorate of Geosciences

Background:
The geosciences provide valuable knowledge and tools that can be applied to a wide range of community issues, including air and water quality; geologic hazards; the provision of energy, water, and mineral resources; climate and weather impacts; and the construction and maintenance of infrastructure. Geoscientists are commonly keen to see this science put into action, but there are many factors that affect how geoscience is perceived and used in community decision-making. Communities vary tremendously in size, location, culture, history, resources, governance, priorities, and needs. Effective engagement strategies take account of this diversity and employ a range of approaches to support communities and individual decision-makers with science that they can trust, understand, and use.

In this webinar, experts in geoscience communication, education, and engagement discuss a variety of different techniques, media, and principles for more effective communication and collaboration between community leaders, decision makers, and geoscientists. Particular attention is paid to three types of engagement: facilitating community-led solutions by connecting community leaders with geoscientists; incorporating community issues into college-level geoscience curricula; and using online platforms to provide geoscience information, resources, access to expertise, and opportunities for communities facing similar issues to share their experiences.

Our speakers are:

• Raj Pandya, Ph.D., Director, Thriving Earth Exchange, American Geophysical Union | Slides | Video
• Natasha Udu-gama, Ph.D., Senior Specialist, Thriving Earth Exchange, American Geophysical Union | Slides | Video
• Sarah Fortner, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Geology & Environmental Science, Wittenberg University | Slides | Video
• Cassaundra Rose, Ph.D., Program Manager, Policy and Critical Issues, American Geosciences Institute | Slides | Video

Thank you to our media partners, the American Geophysical Union, American Institute of Professional Geologists, Association of Women Geoscientists, Council on Undergraduate Research, National Association of Geoscience Teachers, National Association of State Boards of Geology, and the Soil Science Society of America.

Resources to learn more:

•  View this webinar's Question & Answer session
• Thriving Earth Exchange website
• Teaching materials: Community and Political Engagement in the Geosciences, Sarah Fortner, Wittenberg University

Search the Geological Surveys Database for reports and factsheets about geoscience in communities.