PROTECTING FOSSILS FOR ALL AT BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK

Discovering a bone from a “lost” time is an intriguing experience. When you find a fossil, you may be the first human to ever see these remnants of past life. You are exploring a new world – but an ancient world. Equally important to discovery is what scientists can tell us about this planet, past and present, from the secrets contained in the fossil and in the location, or context, in which the fossil is found. Fossils convey a story about life in the past and how creatures adapted to survive or became extinct. “June, 2003 marks the tenth anniversary of fieldwork at the Pig Dig. This site is a tribute to positive visitor interaction with the resource: An exposed bone was reported to park staff at the visitor center, which led to the discovery of the Pig Dig,” states Chief of Resource Education Marianne Mills. “Fossils are at risk. The visitors who found that first bone could have attempted to remove it but they did not. The result is the discovery of a significant paleontological site. Certainly, the Wind and the water that has carved the Badlands continues to expose fossils on a daily basis. We are one of the richest mammal fossil beds known in the world and one of the best places to see field paleontology in action."

Badlands National Park was established in 1939 as Badlands National Monument to protect its vast fossil resources including a rich variety of mammals of the Oligocene Epoch. In the 150-year-old tradition of fossil discovery in the White River Badlands, paleontology is a key part of the park’s mission. The National Park Service reminds everyone to leave fossils where they find them. Removing fossils and other resources from the park is punishable by a fine and potentially more severe punishment.

The Park is sponsoring its eighth annual “Focus on Fossils” Week from July 13 through 19, 2003. Visitors are encouraged to attend regular daily programs about paleontology. At Fossil Exhibit Trail, Fossil Talks are scheduled at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Daily Geology Walks are presented at the Door Trail at 9:00 AM. Additionally, some Evening Programs at the Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater are cover topics relating to earth science, as well as other critical park resource issues. During this week, visitors are also encouraged to visit the Pig Dig from 9 AM to 5 PM. A special exhibit will be available in the Ben Reifel Visitor Center from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. For more information please contact John Cl Clark Paleo-Education Intern Kathryn Price at (605) 433-5246. To learn more about the park and its resources, including teacher materials on Fossil Education, visit http://www.nps.gov/badl Click on IN DEPTH to get to the expanded website.