BLM Montana-Dakotas and Rocky Mountain College Celebrate 2012 National Fossil Day
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In honor of the third annual National Fossil Day, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Rocky Mountain College will present a series of presentations on dinosaurs and other prehistoric species in October and November.
The free presentations are open to the general public and anyone interested in science and paleontology is welcome. All programs begin at 7 p.m. in the Fortin Center Auditorium at Rocky Mountain College.
The first presentation on Tuesday, Oct. 2, will be presented by BLM paleontologist Greg Liggett entitled “Dinosaur hunting: a brief history of paleontology. "The presentation will focus on an overview of the colorful history of science of paleontology, some of the stronger personalities of dinosaurs and a discussion of fossil resources from public lands.
On Tuesday, Oct. 30, the second presentation will also be presented by Liggett entitled "Dinosaurs and other beasties from Montana." This will review the prehistoric life of our great state and what it teaches us about past climates, environments and ecosystems.
The final presentation will be Wednesday, Nov. 14, by Glenn Storrs, Withrow Farny Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology, Cincinnati Museum Center, entitled "A decade of dinosaurs: the Cincinnati Museum Center Dinosaur Field School." Storrs has worked in south central Montana for the past dozen years collecting fossils at the Mother's Day Site. He will present a summary of what has been learned from this site about the lives of long-necked dinosaurs.
National Fossil Day on Oct. 17 of this year was created to celebrate the diversity of fossils, promote the understanding that fossils are a non-renewable resource, and highlight the scientific and educational value of fossils on public lands.
The BLM issues more paleontology resource use permits than all other federal agencies combined. Many fossils on display in museums across the country and around the world, including the Smithsonian, came from BLM lands. The collection of fossils from BLM land is regulated by federal law. There are provisions for individuals to collect reasonable amounts of common invertebrate and plant fossils without a permit. However, a permit is required for all other collecting activities. For clarification visit www.blm.gov contact your local BLM office. For more information, please contact Greg Liggett at 406-896-5162.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.