COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Geological Survey is inviting Ohioans to celebrate Earth Science Week from Oct. 9-15 with a series of activities and programs. 

​According to an ODNR press release, the theme for Earth Science Week 2022 is “Earth Science for a Sustainable World." The theme highlights the importance of earth science in helping people make decisions that strengthen the environment.

“Teaching people about the importance of earth sciences is vital to sustaining the world in which we live,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said. “These hands-on lessons will be essential to educating and inspiring the next generation of people who will love and care for our planet.”

Some of this year’s offered events include: geology hikes, Ohio rock talks, a fossil tour and more. A complete list of events is available at ohiodnr.gov.

“We look forward to Earth Science Week every year because it gives us a chance to teach people the role earth science plays in their everyday lives,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “We hope this year’s theme and activities will provide Ohioans with the motivation and knowledge to be responsible stewards of the natural environment.”

On Oct. 14 from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the ODNR Division of Geological Survey will distribute paper copies of topographic maps free of charge, which can be used as tools for hiking and hunting.

Additionally, a limited amount of Earth Science Week teacher toolkits are available for free to Ohio educators. The toolkits include experiment instructions, activity sheets and more materials for the classroom. Teacher toolkits and other materials can be ordered by contacting geo.survey@dnr.ohio.gov.

The ODNR Division of Geological Survey encourages Ohioans who can not make one of these events to explore Ohio’s natural history at a location near them.