Accessible Field Trips and Courses
Each year we organize and sponsor an accessible Geology field trip in conjunction with the Geological Society of America’s national meeting. Locations change every year based on where the conference is being held. These trips showcase great geology locations as well as demonstrate tangible ways to make field courses more accessible and inclusive.
Everyone is welcome, though preference is given to people with disabilities, and people interested in learning how to run accessible field trips. IAGD field trips are free of cost for attendees thanks to our donors. Join us for our next accessible adventure!
Active Field Trips
2026 Tracks, Trails, and Traces: An Accessible Introduction to Dinosaur Ridge and the Paleontological History of Denver
Explore the landscapes and hazards created by the San Andreas fault system with the IAGD while learning about field accessibility and inclusive science communication.
When: Thursday, October 15, 2026 8:00 a.m – 5:30 pm
Where: Colorado Convention Center, Denver, Colorado, USA
This accessibility-designed field trip will focus on the geological and paleontological history of the greater Denver area. The trip will begin at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, where participants will review the geologic history of the region and gain insights into the ancient life present during the formation of the Front Range.
The trip will then continue to Dinosaur Ridge National Natural Landmark, a field setting that includes Jurassic and Cretaceous sediments, landforms, and extensive dinosaur trackways. Participants will observe stratigraphy and related structures, as well as evidence of body and trace fossils and other geologic features along accessible trails. The group will engage collaboratively, sharing multiple perspectives within an inclusive, universally designed learning environment.
This trip is sponsored by the International Association for Geoscience Diversity (theIAGD.org) and is offered at no cost to participants. All field trip locations are wheelchair accessible, and additional accommodations, such as ASL interpreters, will be provided upon request.
Considerations: This field trip is sponsored and organized by the International Association for Geoscience Diversity and is designed to be fully accessible, with priority given to students and professionals with disabilities. Transportation will be provided using wheelchair-accessible vehicles, and all field sites will include accessible paths suitable for wheelchair and assistive-device users. Additional accommodations, such as ASL interpreters, will be provided upon request.
Field Trips offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs). One CEU equals 10 hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.
Please review these Field Safety Documents. You will be contacted to provide your consent to these forms after purchasing a field trip.
To Be Determined
Ian Castro, Taormina Lepore, Nancy Riggs, Christopher Atchison
Registration is free and includes ground transportation, entry fees, lunch, snacks, and water.
Attendees must register through this link.
By registering you are getting a seat for an in-person geological field trip. This field trip is in conjunction with GSA Connects 2026. Learn more here.
For additional information or member type discounts please contact fieldtrip@geosociety.org.
Courses
GeoSPACE Field Course
Offered by the University of Florida, GeoSPACE is a hybrid field course that provides experiential learning in planetary geology, volcanology basic field geology and remote sensing in Northern Arizona.
Past Field Trips
2024 Hazards and Hilltops: IAGD Accessible field trip to the San Andreas fault and tectonic hazards of the LA Basine
Explore the landscapes and hazards created by the San Andreas fault system with the IAGD while learning about field accessibility and inclusive science communication.
2022 Mountain High, Valley Low: An Accessible Introduction to the Geology of the Colorado Front Range
This field trip to the Colorado Springs area will visit accessible stops that will allow participants to gain an understanding of Colorado Front Range geology, structure, and tectonism.
2019 Petrified Forest
This field trip will visit key localities of Mesozoic strata in the Petrified Forest National Park (PEFO) region with the goal of expanding approaches to providing inclusive, field-based learning experiences for students with disabilities
2018 Mammoth Cave
The 2018 IAGD Accessible Field Trip participants at an overlook near Mammoth Cave National Park.