Celebrating 35 Years of GSNH: A Look Back and a Step Forward

On Sunday, October 19, members and friends of the Geological Society of New Hampshire (GSNH) gathered at The Derryfield in Manchester for our annual meeting — and what a success it was! Over 80 attendees joined us for four hours of networking, learning, and reconnecting with colleagues, some of whom hadn’t seen each other in years.

The energy in the room was incredible as we reflected on the society’s roots, celebrated milestones, and looked ahead to exciting new initiatives.

Honoring Our History

During the event, we revisited the origins of GSNH and the evolution of professional geology licensing in New Hampshire. The society began humbly in the early 1980s, when a group of about 12 geologists, who were colleagues and friends, recognized the need for an organization to represent their profession and bring geologists across the state together.

Their first informal meeting took place at The Cat and Fiddle Restaurant in Concord, drawing more than 30 geologists from around New Hampshire. From that gathering, the first Board of Directors was formed — and today, 35 years later, GSNH continues to thrive as a unifying force for geologists throughout New England.

GSNH is proud to offer continuing education units (CEUs) to licensed geologists, support professional development, and promote geological education for people of all ages across the state.

The Path to Professional Licensing

Another highlight of the meeting was a presentation on how Professional Geologist (PG) licensing came to be in New Hampshire. Licensing began in 2001 after a determined legislative effort by a small group of passionate geologists in the late 1990s.

At that time, many state projects involving natural systems — such as environmental assessments and water supply investigations — were being led primarily by engineers. It quickly became clear that projects involving the interpretation of subsurface conditions required the expertise of trained geologists.

A dedicated group of about eight geologists led the charge to advocate for professional recognition within the state’s legislative framework. Their hard work paid off: by 2001, New Hampshire officially established PG licensing, ensuring that geologists could contribute their specialized knowledge to critical environmental and infrastructure projects.

This year marks 25 years of professional licensing in New Hampshire — a milestone that underscores the importance of geologists’ work in understanding and managing the natural world.

Honoring John Cotton and Supporting Future Geologists

We also celebrated the remarkable career of John Cotton, whose contributions to the field of geology and to GSNH have been immense. In his honor, GSNH proudly announced the creation of the John Cotton Scholarship Fund — an initiative that has raised over $10,000 as of October 30th, 2025.

This scholarship will help support geology studentsin their field mapping studies, ensuring that the next generation of geoscientists has the tools and experience needed to continue advancing our science.

Looking Ahead

The 2025 annual meeting was more than just a gathering — it was a celebration of where we’ve been, what we’ve accomplished, and the bright future of geology in New Hampshire.

From its small beginnings in a Concord restaurant to a thriving statewide organization representing hundreds of professionals, GSNH continues to grow, educate, and advocate for the geological sciences.

We’re grateful to everyone who attended and contributed to this year’s success — and we can’t wait to see where the next 35 years take us!

A picture of Edgewater Strategies owner, Abby Thomspon-Fopiano, receiving flowers as a thank you for her hard work in making the event happen.