U. S. Geological Survey "October Glory" Red Maple

Congress established the U.S. Geological Survey in March 1879, placing it under the Department of the Interior. The new agency's charge was to document and classify public lands, and to research the mineral resources and geologic structure of the country. The establishment of the USGS emerged from previous surveying efforts as well as difficult economic conditions that prompted a need to survey U.S. territories in the west.

In 1996, the USGS merged with the National Biological Service and the minerals information section of the Bureau of Mines, creating a more robust library for the agency's work. In commemoration of this merger, the new agency planted this tree on October 30, 1997. The framed inscription at the base of the tree reads, "Planted in commemoration of the one-year anniversary of the establishment of the new United States Geological Survey (USGS) created by the October 1996 merger of the former National Biological Service and a portion of the Bureau of Mines with USGS." Also pictured on the marker is the distribution of Acer rubrum L. in the United States.

USGS has mapped several woodland and rock garden walks on its campus in the area north of the Powell Federal Building, where the "October Glory" maple resides.

"October Glory" Red Maple, HIstorical Marker Database. June 10th 2019. Accessed November 11th 2019. https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=135131.

Rabbitt, Mary C.. The United States Geological Survey: 1879-1989, U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1050. 1989. Accessed November 11th 2019. https://pubs.usgs.gov/circ/c1050/index.htm.

U. S. Geological Survey. "The U.S. Geological Survey - Recent Highlights Innovative Scientific Information Management," February 1st 1997. Accessed November 11th 2019. https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/1997/0011/report.pdf.