David Wunsch, the Director of the Delaware Geological Survey, attended the Annual Pick & Gavel award banquet at the historic Cosmo’s Club in Washington, DC. The Pick & Gavel Award is presented by the Association of American State Geologists (AASG) to a national public policy official or other leader who has demonstrated support, leadership, and advancement of the geosciences in the public policy arena. This year's winner was Anne J. Castle, the former Assistant Secretary for Water and Science in the Department of Interior under President Obama. Dr. Wunsch was Ms. Castle’s nominator, and served as citationist and presented Secretary Castle with her award. Previous winners include U.S. Senators, Congressmen, and executive agency leaders.

Castle was cited for her strong support of cooperative efforts between the AASG and the U.S. Geological Survey, and her implementation of the SECURE Water Act, including the National Ground Water Monitoring Network (NGWMN) effort within the Interior Department. Wunsch is one of the members of the federal Subcommittee on Ground Water, which advises the Interior Department on groundwater issues within the U.S., and a past-president of the AASG, and has worked closely with Secretary Castle in the past.