Full title: FT26SE04. Toxic Tour—Legacy Contamination and Impacts to Memphis Communities
Leaders: Scott Schoefernacker, Mersadies Burch
Endorser(s): GSA Diversity in the Geosciences Committee, GSA Geology and Society Division, GSA Geology and Health Division, GSA Geoscience Education Division
CEUs: 0.4
Date: Sat.,7 Mar.
Location: Renasant Convention Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Start Time: 8:30 a.m.
End Time: 12 p.m.
Description: Field trip participants will learn about the Toxic Tour program and how to engage and convey complex information with community members. The tour will include stops at several sites throughout Memphis to learn about the site history, local geology and hydrogeology, contaminants of concern, and how these sites impacted and continue to impact each community. Stops will include Memphis Defense Depot in the Alcy Ball neighborhood north of the Memphis International Airport, Former Custom Cleaners near the University of Memphis, North Hollywood Dump in north Memphis along the Wolf River, the Velsicol a facility that once produced chlorinated pesticides, and Cypress Creek that runs through the Hollywood neighborhood (a historically African American neighborhood) receiving untreated wastewater from Velsicol and other industrial facilities in the area. If the Cypress Creek and Velsicol Superfund petition is successful, they will become the tenth Superfund site in Shelby County. This field trip will provide insights on a unique way for scientists to engage community members at all levels. Everyone brings a different perspective and piece of the puzzle to the table. How we interact and put the puzzle together determines our success at finding effective solutions to our contamination issues.
Considerations: A private bus company will provide transportation. Minimal walking. There will be a brief stop at each location where participants can stretch their legs and look at the site. Access will be limited at most locations. Most of the time will be spent on the bus traveling between locations. Restrooms will be available midway through the trip, likely at the University of Memphis where they can refill water bottles. Bottled water will be provided on the tour as needed. (Optional) At the end of the tour we would like to have lunch at a locally owned restaurant and discuss the tour and community impact as well as how they could apply this or a similar program in their own communities.
By purchasing this item, you are buying a seat for an in-person geological field trip
Field Trips offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs). One CEU equals 10 hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.
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Learn more about this and other Joint Southeastern, North-Central, and South-Central Section Meeting Activities.
For additional information, please contact fieldtrip@geosociety.
Product Code: FT26SE04
Product Category: FTRIP