The position of a Wisconsin State Geologist, created in 1853, was superseded in 1857 by the Commissioners of the Geological, Mineralogical and Agricultural Survey. The work of the commissioners was concluded in 1862 and in 1873, a state chief geologist was appointed. In 1897, the Legislature transferred the work of the state geologist to the newly-created Geological and Natural History Survey, an independent agency. In 1931, responsibility for administering the survey was transferred to the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin; in 1964, the survey became a unit in the University Extension; and in 1966, the survey became a department in the Extension's Division of Economic and Environmental Development. In the Wisconsin State Archives' database, this form of agency name is used for all records created, 1853-present.
When the survey was created in 1897, the Legislature charged it to "study the geology, water, soils, plants, fish, and animal life of the state and ... [to] ... continue the topographic mapping of the state." The survey has a broad statutory mission to inventory, investigate, and analyze Wisconsin's land, water, and other natural resources. Specifically, the survey functions as a repository of records, provides information to industry and the public, develops educational materials, and coordinates the state's topographic mapping.
From the description of Agency history record. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 145778841
