The Foundation is pleased to announce the official start of the: John F. Mann Center for the GeoSciences & Society John F. Mann, Jr., was a central figure in the long and continuing saga of ground water management in southern California. His work with the United Water Conservation district, United States Borax and Chemical, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, among many other clients has been crucial to the adjudication of the ground water rights in the region to the evaluation and protection of ground water resources, and to the theoretical development of ground water hydrology. Dr. Mann’s work embodies three overarching tenets: environmental processes must be studied and understood as system; good science drives good natural resource decisions; and scientists have a responsibility to apply their insights for the benefit of society. In turn, these three tenets underlie and unify all of the activities of the John F. Mann Center for the GeoSciences & Society. In 1994, Dr. Mann and his wife Carolyn created the Mann Charitable Unitrust. The proceeds of the planned gift would augment his vision for the geosciences. With Dr. Mann’s passing in 1999, and Carolyn’s passing in 2007, the Unitrust has now moved into the John F. Mann Fund and the CENTER has been formally established.  The Center’s Mission
The John F. Mann Center for the GeoSciences and Society strives to enhance the contribution of geoscience to the resolution of society’s growing environment and natural resource challenges. With global population continuing to climb, geoscientific knowledge and expertise provide an increasingly important foundation for effective action in such areas as water quality and supply, natural resources development, and ecosystem protection and restoration. The Center’s Activities The John F. Mann Center for the GeoSciences & Society promotes the mission through a broad range of programs focused on three principal goals: - Providing mentoring programs where undergraduate and graduate students can share the professional and personal experiences of geoscientists.
- Building the capacity of the geoscience community to participate in research and decision-making in the environment and natural resource arena.
- Applying geoscience knowledge and expertise to selected, high-priority environment and natural resource challenges.
The Center will cover a broad range of ongoing and projected programs aimed at fulfilling its mission. Mentor Programs Offering geoscientists the ability to share their professional and personal experiences with undergraduate and graduate students and faculty The Center will support current mentor programs and those that may be developed. Intern Programs Support programs for GSA undergraduate student members working as summer interns in national parks, etc, as well as placing a geoscientist in a congressional staff position on Capitol Hill. Environmental Programs: Provide programs and environmental forums focusing on current environmental issues. Provide a source of scientific information for most members of the public. The Center may use new technologies to create a decision process for solutions to environmental, natural resources, and land use disputes. 
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