Celebrating Fossil Day on National Lands

Article by: Nature Tech Family

National Fossil Day in the United States is a great time to share geology and paleontology with kids and students! Every October, the National Park Service promotes one day as Fossil Day, and celebrations and events are held at numerous parks, monuments, museums, and businesses around the country.

This year, National Fossil Day is on October 11th. Our family is very fond of fossils, and geology in general, so we tend to make a big deal out of the day. We like to visit National Park Service locations that prioritize fossil conservation and protection, and go out of our way to take part in geology and paleontology activities.

We thought this week might be a great time to review fossil “etiquette” on public lands, or even on private lands when the find is a large one.

1. The most important rule of fossil “hunting” on public lands is that the fossils need to STAY PUT! It is super exciting to find fossils when you are hiking in places like Badlands National Park, but if you pick up the fossil and take it to the ranger at the visitor center, then the scientists will not be able to explore the find site for more fossils! Leave fossils where they are!
   


2. Tell a ranger. You can use your phone or GPS device to get the GPS coordinates of the fossil site, and even take a picture of the site with your camera to show the location of the fossils you found and what they look like.


3. Take only a picture. I don’t know about your front yard, but ours is already full of some hefty rocks, so we certainly don’t need more. We allow our kiddos to pick up rocks (but not fossils) and then we take a photo of it and place it back - so someone else can enjoy it, too! We always take pictures of the fossils we find in place, and even our boys, ages 6 and 10, carry their own cameras so they can join in on the memory-making.
   


4. Talk to staff at the park or museum locations. The best way to learn more about geology and paleontology is to talk to the professionals! Park rangers and museum curators are also usually scientists, or can direct you to one on staff that can answer your questions or give you more information. You can also learn more about National Fossil Day specifically by visiting the National Park Service website dedicated to this event: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/index.htm.


5. Become a Junior Paleontologist! You’re never too old to earn a badge, and there is a paleontologist badge offered by the National Park Service. Many of the geology-focused parks and monuments (Badlands, Dinosaur, Agate Fossil Beds, etc.) have the booklet on hand to give out to kids and adults who want to learn more about this field of science. The other option is to visit the NPS website and download and print a copy of the booklet. It can then be mailed in to the National Park Service and you will be awarded the Junior Paleontologist badge through the mail! https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossils/junior-paleontologist.htm

No matter where you are on October 11th, take a moment to appreciate the geology around you. You may live in an area that has the right age of sediment to find dinosaur bones, or you may come across sea shells in a dry, high location from prehistoric waters. Or you may live in the city and be able to visit a local museum or library that has a display of fossils. However you celebrate the day, celebrate the history of this continent and also take time to appreciate those who have dedicated their lives to studying and learning more about our past through the rocks around us!