2007-8 Field Opportunities for Dino Expeditions for Amateurs
This is a response to the most commonly requested info... Where can families go to dig?
1. The Marmarth Research Foundation: http://www.mrfdigs.com A non-profit research center in Marmarth, North Dakota. for educators and students interested in paleontology. Extensive fieldwork activities from the initial discovery and excavation to the eventual mounting of the fossils in the southwestern corner of North Dakota in the Hell Creek Formation, famous for its dinosaur remains and other fossil animals. Learn fossil identification and anatomy, casting and molding techniques as well as fossil preparation and restoration. All meals, lodging, site transportation, equipment and supplies provided. You will excavate, prepare and cast dinosaurs and other fossil animals. For additional info contact: http://pinkyweb.com/tremblay
2. PaleoWorld: www.paleoworld.org - The PaleoWorld Research Foundation (PWRF) conducts a hands-on dinosaur expeditions open to all ages. Kids, families, students, and all sorts of dinosaur enthusiasts are welcome to join PWRF paleontologist Joseph Hatcher's research team to the Late Cretaceous Hell Creek Formation of Eastern Montana's Garfield County, near Jordon, Montana. Now is the opportunity of a lifetime to assist PWRF staff in prospecting for new specimens, excavating, plaster jacketing, fossil removal, quarry mapping, preparation techniques in our field lab, fossil identification, and history of Hell Creek Formation. For more information visit www.paleoworld.org
2A. Sereno Dinosaur Expedition: http://projectexploration.org/sereno-dinosaur-expedition.htm - Dig for fossils side-by-side with world renowned paleontologist Dr. Paul Sereno. Live your dream of hunting for dinosaur bones and experiencing the excitement of a scientific discovery. Expedition fees for this once-in-a-lifetime field experience are $5,000 per person and include all lodging, meals, excavation tools, and excursions. Fees do not include transportation. Team participation is guaranteed with a 50% deposit. Project Exploration is a nonprofit organization that works to make science accessible to the public—especially minority youth and girls—through personalized experiences with science and scientist. Currently Accepting Reservations! Contact May Her at 773-834-4050 or mher@projectexploration.org
3. The Wyoming Dinosaur Center: http://server1.wyodino.org/ - Join staff paleontologist at a dig site in the field as they uncover Wyoming Jurassic dinosaurs.
4. Ten Bits Ranch Fossil Dig, Big Bend's "Lost World": A professional fossil dig in May 2006 and January of 2007. Interested? The link is http://www.tenbitsranch.com/dinosaur__excavation.htm. Steve Wick (volunteer Big Bend National Park Paleontologist) and Professor of Sedimentology, Tom Lehman, of Texas Tech are in charge of the excavation and are currently doing work out at the Ranch. All fossils are donated to U.T Austin VPL and the Texas Memorial Museum in Austin.
5. The Krolikowski Field Expedition List: A field paleontologist’s listing of US and Canada expeditions.
· Alberta Digs
Royal Tyrrell Museum: http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com/ may have info on collecting trips
· Colorado Digs
Western Interior Paleontological Society: http://www.wipsppc.com/ also offers paleontologic expeditions.
The Museum of Western Colorado in Garnd Junction: http://www.dinodigs.org/ offers paleontologic expeditions in Colorado. Dinamation International Society's Devils Canyon Science and Learning Center in Fruita. www.pocketpro.com/oldsite/dino/<WBR>devils.htm
· Florida Digs
Fossil Expeditions: http://www.fossilexpeditions.com/fossil2.htm provide collecting trips in Florida
· Kansas Digs
Mike Everhart: http://www.oceansofkansas.com/ Oceans of Kansas page may have info on collecting trips in Kansas
· Montana Digs
The Cincinnati Museum: http://www.cincymuseum.org/information_center/programs_events/dig_for_dinos.asp Glenn W Storrs, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Cincinnati Museum (513-287-7000) has a site for collection of Diplodocus bones.
Judith River Dinosaur Institute : http://www.montanadinosaurdigs.com/ Five days of dig site instruction and excavation in the Judith River Formation.
Burpee Museum: http://www.burpee.org/ will have collecting trips this summer where they found a Nanotyranosaur
Paleotrek: http://www.paleotrek.com/ will also have collecting trips in Garfield County this summer
Timescale Adventures: http://timescale.3rivers.net/ provides hands-on programs for the general public.
· North Dakota Digs
Pioneer Trails Regional Museum: http://www.ptrm.org/ Join PTRM Paleontologists in the field as they collect fossils in the Bowman ND area.
· Saskatchewan Digs
Royal Saskatchewan Museum: http://www.dinocountry.com/tourism_information.html prepares to remove more of "Scotty" the Tyrannosaurus rex that was buried farther back in the hill. Day Dig Program runs from July 1 to August 31.
· South Dakota Digs
Grand River Museum: http://www.grandrivermuseum.org/ This year Ron Nellermoe will be working at a Hadrosaur bonebed.
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Museum of Geology: http://www.sdsmt.edu/services/museum/pub.htm Participate in the scientific excavation of important paleontological sites in the Black Hills region.
· Wyoming Digs
Tate Museum: http://www.caspercollege.edu/tate/field_progs.htm Week-long educational outings in search of fossils in Wyoming.
Wyoming Dinosaur Center: http://server1.wyodino.org/ Dig for a Day with scientists as they discover, collect, and document Jurassic dinosaur fossils.
Dinosaur Safaris: http://www.dinosaursafaris.com/ have a dinosaur dig adventure opportunity also.
· Utah Digs
College of Eastern Utah and Utah Friends of Paleontology (UFOP): http://museum.ceu.edu/paleontology/events.htm may have info on collecting trips
Uinta Paleo: http://www.uintapaleo.com/Digs/Digs.htm may have information on collecting trips throughout Utah.
6. Dinosaur Safaris, Inc. - No previous field experience is needed to attend this dig, however, participants should be in good physical health in order to work under rugged conditions. The Wyoming terrain ranges from slightly hilly to steep inclines. We welcome individuals and families. Children must be at least 10 years of age, accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and the parent/guardian will be responsible for their children. Dinosaur Safaris Inc. personnel will not assume parenting responsibilities and reserves the right to cut short any dig package if participants do not behave in a proper fashion. All bookings should be made through Two Guys Fossils at 1-800-FOSSILS (1-800-367-7457) or visit their website at http://www.twoguysfossils.com Dinosaur field expeditions in Wyoming from Two Guys Fossils.
7. Museum of Western Colorado: Dinosaur Valley - http://www.dinodigs.org/ Dinosaur digging vacation spot. Then you’ve come to the right place to get the info on the right kind of vacation! Offers one and five-day digs in the Morrison Formation in Colorado and Wyoming. These quarries contain dinosaurs such as Apatosaurus (Brontosaurus), Camarasaurus, and Allosaurus. Browse our web site and start planning next summer’s vacation now! But hurry and contact us or call toll-free 1-888-488-DINO because spaces – and the dinosaurs – are limited!
8. Central Washington University: http://www.cwu.edu/~masters/mammoth.html Investigating the Wenas Creek Mammoth . CWU is now accepting applications for the Wenas Creek Mammoth Dig. http://www.cwu.edu/~masters/fieldschool2006.html where they will recover more of the mammoth and determine its geological context, using techniques from paleontology, archaeology and geography. We will focus on excavation, mapping, laboratory techniques, paleontology, stratigraphy, geomorphology, skeletal anatomy and developing an understanding of the area in the late Pleistocene. Although the website limits the dig to students, it is looking for civilian types to help out. Contact the dig lead scientist Dr. Pat Lubinski at: Central Washington University, Department of Anthropology (509) 963-3601. or the Project e-mail: mammoth@cwu.edu Project phone: (509) 963-2654.
9. Utah & Colorado: Dinosaur National Monument: A museum and a dig all in one! http://www.americansouthwest.net/utah/dinosaur/national_monument.html, http://www.cr.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/dino/index.html, http://www.utah.com/nationalsites/dinosaur.htm
10. Wyoming: Bliss Ranch, A Dinosaur Ecotourism Bed and Breakfast Dude Ranch working in the Hell Creek Formation (Upper Cretaceous). www.cattleranch.org then please go to the dinosaur pages if you wish. The address is 1107 Parks Rd. Weston, Wyoming 82731 and the email is frank@blissnet.com ontact Frank Bliss, owner and manager of the Bliss Ranch.
