National Fossil Day, October 16, 2013

IB 2013-104
Information Bulletin

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov
September 12, 2013

In Reply Refer To:
8270 (240) P

EMS TRANSMISSION 09/24/2013
Information Bulletin No. 2013-104

To:                   All Bureau of Land Management Employees

From:               Division Chief, Cultural, Paleontological Resources and Tribal Consultation

Subject:           National Fossil Day, October 16, 2013

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will be celebrating the 2013 National Fossil Day (NFD) during Earth Science Week, October 12 through 19, 2013.  Sponsored by the American Geological Institute, this year’s Earth Science Week theme is “Mapping Our World.”  See http://www.earthsciweek.org/ for more information.

The NFD was established by the National Park Service (NPS) in response to the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470aaa-2), which requires Federal land managing agencies to create programs that increase public awareness of the significance of paleontological resources.  The NFD is an annual event that supports the BLM’s Education, Interpretation, and Youth Engagement National Strategy by fostering a greater appreciation of the scientific and educational value of fossils.

National Fossil Day Resources and Activities:  Field offices are encouraged to participate in NFD by—

  • Coordinating interpretive events that highlight paleontological resources.  These events may occur any time during the year and should promote NFD on October 16, 2013;
  • Inviting BLM-permitted researchers working in your resource area to speak about paleontological resources;
  • Coordinating or giving presentations at local schools, museums, or civic events about paleontological resources;
  • Conducting or coordinating field trips to nearby interpreted BLM paleontological localities;
  • Coordinating NFD activities with partner museums that hold fossil specimens from BLM-administered lands; and
  • Registering programs on the NFD website.

BLM National Fossil Day Web Page:  You should begin planning your events in conjunction with the NFD as soon as possible.  The BLM link is: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/event-hosting.htm.  In order to post your event on the BLM-NFD web page, please forward the information to Brent Breithaupt at bbreitha@blm.gov.

Check the NPS-NFD web page at http://nature.nps.gov/geology/nationalfossilday/ for information about NFD, including planned activities, the NFD 2013 artwork and logo, ideas for events and activities, the NFD 2013 art and photography contest (theme: “Your Nomination for our National Fossil”), and information and links to NFD partner web pages. 

Other Resources:  The BLM's Printed Materials Distribution Section (PMDS) has the following paleontological education materials available in support of your activities:

  1. PS-003, black and white 17" x 22" coloring poster from the 150th Anniversary of the Department of the Interior:  Dinosaurs, America's Public Land Legacy for Children of All Ages (old No. P-393).
  2. P-406, Fossils on America's Public Lands:  A brochure on fossil collecting on public lands.
  3. P-437, A New Paleontology Law:  A brochure on the PRPA (Paleontological Resources Preservation under the Omnibus Public Land Management Section of 2009).
  4. EE 2038A, “Junior Explorer:  Geology and Fossils” Activity Book.
  5. EE3002, “Discovering Dinosaurs” videotape.

These additional resources are out of stock.  New versions are being developed at the PMDS, but may be available in your local office or public room: 

  1. P-435A, They Walked Here Long Ago:  A brochure on dinosaur tracks and their protection and preservation.  This brochure is being updated.
  2. EE-1011, Set in Stone:  Reprint and poster about fossil resources found on public lands. This brochure is being updated.

As NFD approaches, keep updated about events nationwide at the NPS and the BLM-NFD web pages.  To have your event included on the BLM-NFD web page, or if you have any questions, please contact Brent Breithaupt, Regional Paleontologist, BLM WYSO-930, at (307) 775-6052, or bbreitha@blm.gov.

 

 

Signed by:                                                                   Authenticated by:

Emily S. Palus                                                             Robert M. Williams

Acting, Division Chief                                                Division of IRM Governance,WO-560

Cultural, Paleontological Resources and Trial

   Consultation

Fiscal Year

2013