Minerals We Use Every Day

Theodore Roosevelt @teddyroosevelt Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage. Theodore Roosevelt @teddyroosevelt Leave it as it is. You can not improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it. Theodore Roosevelt @teddyroosevelt Whatever it is, handle it so that your children’s children will get the benefit of it. Theodore Roosevelt @teddyroosevelt Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance. Theodore Roosevelt @teddyroosevelt This nation’s great central task is leaving this land even a better land for our descendants than it is for us. Theodore Roosevelt @teddyroosevelt To skin and exhaust the land instead of using it to increase its usefulness, will result in undermining its prosperity for our children. Theodore Roosevelt @teddyroosevelt Our duty to the whole bids us restrain from wasting the heritage of these unborn generations. Theodore Roosevelt @teddyroosevelt The movement for the conservation of all our natural resources is essentially democratic in spirit, purpose, and method. Theodore Roosevelt @teddyroosevelt We are prone to speak of the resources of this country as inexhaustible; this is not so. Theodore Roosevelt @teddyroosevelt There can be no greater issue than that of conservation in this country.

If you were born in April, the diamond is your birthstone. The word diamond is from the Ancient Greek word meaning “invincible.” The blue 45.52 carat Hope Diamond is the most famous diamond in the world. It is now at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. Click here to learn more about the Hope Diamond. Diamonds can be found on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest in Colorado.

If your birthday is in September, the sapphire is your birthstone. The word sapphire is from the Latin word meaning “precious stone.” Sapphires are mined on the Lewis & Clark National Forest in Montana.

If you were born in January, the garnet is your birthstone. The word garnet comes from the Latin word meaning pomegranate. Garnets were the most commonly used gemstone in the Late Antique Roman world. In ancient India, some people wore garnets to protect against lightning and to bring health and cheerfulness. Garnets are mined on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest in Idaho.

You could be a Wildlife Biologist. Qualifications: Knowledge of wildlife, including habitat, food sources, migration patterns, summer and winter ranges, sensitivity to human activities. Areas of Specialty: Mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, genetics and more. What you do: Your main responsibility is wildlife habitat – managing, protecting, rehabilitating, and enhancing it. Working on a team with recreation, range, minerals, rare plants, engineering, and timber management specialists to plan national forest management is an exciting and important part of the position. The duties of individual wildlife biologists are varied and can include such projects as building waterfowl nesting islands, cutting willow for moose browse, prescribed burning for deer and turkey, and more. Wildlife biologists working for federal agencies like the Forest Service often work in partnership with non-profit agencies, like the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and Bat Conservation International. What you need to know: Most wildlife biologists have a bachelor’s degree with a major in biological science or natural resource management, with an emphasis in biology or ecology. You could work here: US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station Meet a Wildlife Biologist: Teryl Grubb, Flagstaff, AZ Watch this video: Jessica Marquis, Wildlife Biologist, Shasta-Trinity National Forest https://youtu.be/dRmlckPWtQs

You could be a Chemist. Qualifications: Knowledge of the chemical makeup of soil, water and air, the interactions and reactions when these come in contact with each other like, what occurs when minerals are oxidized and come in contact with water, and what occurs when various chemicals come in contact with vegetation death, stunted growth, mutation. What you do: More than half of all chemists work in research and development. Other research chemists work on more practical or domestic problems. For instance, they may work to develop a fabric that will not burn, soil, or wrinkle easily. They must often perform many laboratory tests before they are able to create the desired product. What you need to know: A lot of employers look for a bachelor’s degree in chemistry for entry level positions. Many chemistry jobs require a master’s degree or a doctoral degree in a branch of chemistry. Some employers have their own special training programs for graduates with degrees in chemistry. You could work here: Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, WI Meet a Chemist: Charles Rhoades, Research Biogeochemist, Fort Collins Forestry Sciences Lab Vicki Finkenstadt, Agricultural Chemist, USDA Ean Warren, Environmental Chemist, USGS

You could be a Research Ecologist. Qualifications: Knowledge of the interrelationships among all the elements of a given ecosystem – the flora, fauna, soil, water, air, climate and geology. Understanding of how disturbances in the system may affect individual elements or sub-elements and the interrelationships among species of flora and fauna, both onsite and offsite. Areas of Specialty: Ecologists generally specialize in areas such as marine biology, botany, soil science, microbiology, zoology, or toxicology. They conduct research into mining; dam construction; management of wildlife, fish, and forestry resources; expansion of biological control policies to fight weeds and pest insects; and the effects of pollutants released into the atmosphere on wildlife and vegetation. What you do: In the field, Ecologists conduct research to collect soil, plant, water, or animal samples. They protect ecosystems and native wildlife, and examine animals over a long period of time and to observe population numbers, diet, behavior, and habitat use. In the lab, ecologists analyze data, prepare written reports, monitor animal population, and supervise technicians. Expert ecologists provide advice to local, state, and national governments on environmental management. What you need to know: Ecologists usually have a bachelor’s degree with knowledge in organic and inorganic chemistry, biology, computer science, mathematics, physics, statistics, and calculus. Depending on the area of specialization, an ecologist may study economics, climatology, mathematical modeling, geology, oceanography, meteorology, or science sociology. You could work here: Rocky Mountain Research Station, Ft. Collins, CO Meet a Research Ecologist: Dean Pearson, PhD Watch this video: Andrew, a crewmember working in the Youth Ecology Corps https://youtu.be/PPA4LiPu6SY

You could be Geologist. Qualifications: An interest in earth science, geology, and minerals. Familiarity with the various soil types and their geologic origin, the characteristics of each with respect to erodibility, compaction, organic constituents, pH levels and their effects on productivity of plant establishment and growth, microbial content and how all of these can be protected, enhanced or mitigated as a result of soil disturbing activities. What you do: Oversee mined land reclamation, evaluate and manage lease applications and mining proposals, apply GIS and related skills and technology to geologic and mineral data, review oil-gas exploration and field development projects, assess and interpret geologic conditions that affect projects such as bridges, roads, dams, and buildings. Often, geologists work in teams with other scientists to improve land, like streambank restoration, ski slope stabilization or restoring salmon spawning grounds in rocky riverbeds. What you need to know: Most geologists have a bachelor’s degree in geology, including coursework in mathematics, physics, chemistry, biological science, structural, chemical, civil, mining or petroleum engineering, computer science, planetary geology, comparative paleontology, geophysics, meteorology, hydrology, oceanography, physical geography, marine geology, and cartography. You could work here: Tongass National Forest, Southeast Alaska Meet some of the GeoCorps America Interns: GeoCorps America is a program of the Geological Society of America, in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Park Service. The program offers paid short-term geoscience positions in some of the most beautiful natural areas in the world. Learn more about GeoCorps. Watch a video: Why one woman became a geologist. https://youtu.be/ZZ6KGPlRDco

You could be an Outdoor Recreation Planner. Qualifications: Top-notch physical condition for work in the field, including long hikes over rugged terrain, often in adverse weather. ATV, boating, white water rafting, and wilderness trekking experience a plus. Travel by fixed-wing aircraft or helicopter may also be required. An appreciation of the great outdoors and an eagerness to share this with others. A strong sense of responsibility that recognizes the challenges and dangers of outdoor sporting activities. Experience as a group leader or counselor in public and private recreation programs for adults or children such as summer camps, local playgrounds, YWCA and YMCA clubs, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, urban community centers, or resort recreational activities. What you do: Provide programming in outdoor experiences, such as hiking, climbing, rafting, boating, and winter sports. Work with attorneys, biologists, and engineers to ensure activities meet the laws and requirements of local, state, and federal agencies. What you need to know: Bachelor’s degree, preferably in recreation, education administration, physical education, social work, psychology or closely related field. You could work here: Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Meet an Outdoor Recreation Planner: Carter J. Betz, Athens, GA Watch a video: Phyllis Swanson, an Assistant Recreation Officer on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest https://youtu.be/wVNafWbkabI

Goals:

• To make sure that any mining practices on public lands follow all laws and regulations based on acts of Congress, Executive Orders of the President, international treaties and federal court decisions.
• To use the National Forests in multiple ways—including mining—so that the nation has the access to minerals that support economic growth, energy, health and defense.
• To ensure mining operations do not create permanent damage to the environment. The Forest Service works with other agencies and industry to identify the best practices and uses of technology, and uses the latest scientific knowledge to prevent unnecessary disturbances and return land and water to its most productive state.
• To research the consequences of mining at a specific location and determine whether to approve or deny a request. They often discuss this decision with the BLM.

How they represent you:

• Congress authorizes the Forest Service to manage mining on National Forest and Grasslands to benefit the public.
• The Forest Service manages National Forest System lands responsibly so that our descendants inherit public lands to steward for their use and pass on to the next generation.

Click here to learn more about USDA FS.

Goals:

• To produce minerals that the public needs or wants.
• To provide for the health and safety of mining employees, the public and local communities.
• To compete in a global marketplace and return an investment to shareholders.
• To meet or exceed regulatory requirements promoting effectiveness and efficiency in mining operations.

How they represent you:

• The mining industry satisfies public demand for mineral use.
• The mining industry supports economic growth.
• Shareholders of mining companies represent individuals and groups of investors that rely on profits to fund long-term investments in capital construction to funding higher education and individual retirement plans.

Click here to learn more about the nation’s mining industry. Click here to learn more about the uses of 40 commonly found minerals. Click here to learn more about the mining industries and the environment.

Goals:

• Administer oil and gas leases and mineral claims based on acts of Congress, Executive Orders of the President, international treaties and federal court decisions.
• Manage sand, gravel, dirt and rock that is available to local and state government agencies for construction whenever environmentally responsible.
• Work with the Forest Service to decide if mining should be allowed when a request is made. Does the person asking to mine have a valid claim? Would it be good for the economy and the environment?

How they represent you: BLM manages mining claims and operations for economic and environmental benefits. Click here to learn more about BLM and energy development. Click here to learn more about BLM and the Mineral Survey Program. Click here to learn more about BLM and Abandoned Mine Lands.

Goals:

• To administer and enforce regulations that protect the environment and preserve clean water, clean air, and healthy soil based on acts of Congress, Executive Orders of the President, international treaties and federal court decisions.
• Make sure everyone, even other organizations such as the Forest Service, follows the EPA’s regulations.
• Review plans for large mining projects and enforce Congressional authorizations and court decisions.

How they represent you:

• They ensure that you breathe clean air and drink clean water and that we leave the country in good condition for future generations.

Click here to learn more about the EPA and water. Click here to learn more about the EPA and toxic substance prevention and clean up. Click here to learn more about the EPA and air pollution.