Governor Proclaims North Carolina Geological Survey Month 2023

WHEREAS, in 1823, an act to conduct a “Geological and Mineralogical Survey” of North Carolina was ratified by the General Assembly, making it the duty of the North Carolina Board of Agriculture to employ some person of competent skill and science to commence and carry out this survey of the various regions of our state; and

WHEREAS, Professor Denison Olmsted was chosen to carry out this geological and mineralogical survey of the state, and produced the first geologic map of North Carolina in November 1825, considered to be the oldest geologic map of an individual state in the United States; and

WHEREAS, this, the first statewide law governing geology and mineralogy, was the beginning of all geological and mineralogical surveys in North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, this geological survey work transformed through the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries into the institution that is now known as the North Carolina Geological Survey within the Department of Environmental Quality; and

WHEREAS, this entity examines, surveys, and maps the geology, mineral resources, and topography of North Carolina; and

WHEREAS, this entity encourages the wise conservation and use of geologic resources by industry, commerce, agriculture, and government for the general welfare of the residents of our state; and

WHEREAS, this entity has been central to North Carolina’s development and industrialization, to the wise use of its abundant natural resources, and to the environmental education of North Carolinians by providing natural resource information to residents and industries since 1823;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim April, 2023, as “NORTH CAROLINA GEOLOGICAL SURVEY MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.