Meeting Speaker for March 10, 2014 - Mark Sogge
The Science of Drought in California
Our rain storms of the last few weeks are most welcome, but let’s not forget we are still living in a drought and some of the lowest storage, and most pressing demands on our water. To find out more facts and to get to the bottom of the well we have turned to our national experts.
The USGS serves the Nation by providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect our quality of life
USGS has a long history of providing unbiased facts and data that address key issues, such as our on-going drought. So we have turned to the USGS to share with us the facts, nothing but the facts, about the drought and how science is used to understand and deal with its impacts.
Our March 10th speaker, Mark Sogge, is the Regional Director of the USGS Pacific Region, which is headquartered here in Sacramento. Mark is a Sacramento native who has returned to his roots. Since graduating from San Jose State, picking up a Masters from University of California, Davis along the way, he has served in multiple federal departments and responsibilities; mostly in the Southwest. His 30 year Federal career, following a stint with IBM has allowed him to work with the Army Corps of Engineers, National Park Service and multiple federal agencies besides the USGS.
Mark grew up fishing, hunting, camping, canoeing, and generally spending almost all his free time outdoors throughout the Sacramento area. Following a 25 year detour to Arizona, he recently came back to Sacramento where he is reconnecting with all of the great outdoor opportunities this region has to offer. Like the rest of us, he has seen the impacts of the drought first-hand, and looks forward to sharing some perspectives on the situation.