Explore and Experience Paleontology
The NPA (Northwest Paleontological Association) receives frequently asked questions via our website northwestpaleo.org. Many people want to know:
How can I learn more about fossils? NPA has great resources listed on our site and another good place to start is at the Burke Museum (or your nearest paleo museum if you don’t live in the Seattle area).
Where can I collect fossils in my area? You can collect marine, plant and invertebrate fossils in the United States on public BLM land or beaches. In Washington State and Oregon, the beaches contain fossil invertebrates such as clams, crabs and oysters that you can collect and keep. For plants, there are many sites all along the US – Canada border but the best one to start at is Stonerose fossil site in Republic, WA, where you do pay to collect but no one goes home without a fossil. Do an online search and check your area for restrictions on locations, amounts, types of fossils you can take etc., as these vary by state.
If you are excited to get your hands on a vertebrate fossil, there are beautiful fossil fish that you can collect and keep from a number of private sites in Kemmerer, Wyoming. You can only collect vertebrate fossils and keep them if you are digging on private property with permission from the land owner. This is the fossil law of the US, international laws differ. NPA does not support the private sale of scientifically important dinosaur specimens which takes them away from study.
How can I go on a dinosaur dig? Is going on a real dinosaur dig a bucket list item for you or your family? There are many dig programs available varying from one day to a week or more. Working directly with museum staff and scientists, you will be helping them to find, unearth and collect dinosaurs and other large vertebrates. No, you don’t get to take the dinosaurs home. The programs typically charge a fee to participants which helps them support their research. Some of the one-day programs do allow children. If you are a paleontology student, there are many ways you can participate in university or museum programs at no or little cost to you and there are some fieldwork scholarships out there.
Explore our articles and resources section to find out more about all of these frequently asked questions and how you can hunt for fossils in the Northwest.
It’s easy to learn more about fossils by reading books and visiting museums, but sharing the experience of finding fossils with knowledgeable amateurs and scientists adds so much more to understanding and fun. Join NPA and share your love of paleontology with us.
Photos: Article lead photo is Triceratops frill section being unearthed, North Dakota. Below photo is Ankylosaur tail section being unearthed, Alberta, Canada. Both of these digs and specimens were with research museums and led by paleontologists.
Joining a Dinosaur Dig is a fun social way to learn, discover and be the first to touch a dinosaur. Yes that IS an ankylosaur tail club!