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February 22, 2007
Larry Wickstrom, Canton Native, Named Ohio’s New State Geologist
COLUMBUS, OH - Sean Logan, director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), has appointed Larry Wickstrom as Ohio’s new state geologist and chief of ODNR’s Division of Geological Survey.
“The challenge facing the department is to find the ideal balance between conservation and wise use of our natural resources,” Director Logan said. “Larry Wickstrom’s knowledge and experience will help give us the foresight to plan for the most progress for the most people for the longest time possible.”
Wickstrom is a native of Canton and a graduate of Glenwood High School. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in geology from Kent State University. He began work in the subsurface geology group at the Ohio Geological Survey in 1983. From 1996 until 2006 he supervised the energy resources group. Last August, he was appointed assistant chief of the division.
“Ohio’s geology has fascinated me all my life,” said Wickstrom. “It is an exciting time to start such a position, with many challenges upon us, including energy, environmental and geo-hazard issues. I look forward to this opportunity to help utilize our geologic resources to further Ohio’s strategic goals.”
Wickstrom has led efforts to research Ohio’s geologic carbon dioxide sequestration capabilities. He is a recognized authority on Ohio’s energy inventory and how these assets fit with key future decisions involving a carbon-constrained economy. He is a member of Ohio’s FutureGen Task Force and acts as ODNR’s energy coordinator and liaison with the governor’s energy advisor. He has over 100 publications to his credit.
The Division of Geological Survey performs mapping and other research involving Ohio’s geology. This includes mineral resource (primarily coal, oil, gas, sand and gravel) mapping and assessment, shore erosion study, environmental assessment, and the mapping of abandoned underground mines, bedrock and glacial deposits. It also serves as Ohio’s permanent archive for geologic data.
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