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The Road to Biology at the USGS

By Climate Adaptation Science Centers
Timeline showing the evolution of how biology became a part of the USGS mission
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Detailed Description

The road to biology at the USGS:

  • 1849: Department of Interior (DOI) created
  • 1879: USGS created: At its creation, the USGS was charged with "classification of the public lands, and examination of the geological structure, mineral resources, and products of the national domain".
  • 1973: Endangered Species Act (ESA) established: The ESA leads to the need for a survey of US biota to identify species at risk of becoming threatened or endangered, and a need to separate that capacity from regulatory agencies.
  • 1993: National Biological Survey (NBS) established: The biological research functions of DOI agencies were transferred into NBS, to provide early warning of habitats and ecosystems in trouble and separate research functions from regulatory roles.
  • 1996: USGS Biological Resources Division (BRD) created: NBS transferred into the USGS and renamed BRD.
  • 2010: Ecosystems Mission Area (EMA) established: EMA was established during a reorganization of the USGS, and today comprises the majority of the programs previously under BRD.
  • 2020: Alignment of climate and environmental health sciences in EMA: The Climate Adaptation Science Centers, Land Change Science/Climate Research & Development programs, and Environmental Health Program join EMA.

Sources/Usage

Public Domain.