News Release

Celebrate National Fossil Day 2018

Mouse Deer Skull

Tim Gohrke

News Release Date: October 18, 2018 Join us at the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center for a celebration of our national fossil heritage across the country. On October 27th, participate in National Fossil Day™, an annual celebration held to highlight the scientific and educational value of paleontology and the importance of preserving fossils for future generations. 

The Thomas Condon Paleontology Center will be open from 10 am – 5 pm. Throughout the day, earn your Junior Paleontologist badge, your John Day Fossil Beds Junior Ranger badge, and watch the 18-minute long orientation film.

Stop in anytime between 1:00 – 3:30 pm to participate in a practice fossil lab lead by our fossil preparator. Learn about excavating fossils and the skills needed to work in a fossil lab. You can also make your own plaster leaf casts to take home. 

A ranger led tour of the fossil exhibit will be held at 2:00 pm, and at 3:30 will be a ranger led program, Museum Detectives. Both the 2:00 exhibit tour and the 3:30 ranger program will last about 45 minutes.  

Patrick Gamman, Superintendent at John Day Fossil Beds says, “We are excited to celebrate National Fossil Day™. This day lets us showcase some of our park’s most valuable resources. Fossils tell us about ancient life, climates, and landscapes. Join us and see world-class fossils and learn more about how our paleontologists do their jobs.”

In the meantime, get involved now and participate in the 9th annual National Fossil Day Art Contest sponsored by the National Park Service and National Fossil Day partners. The contest is open to any interested person, of all ages. Entries will be judged based on originality, creativity and how well the submission addresses this year’s contest theme. You must be a resident of the United States to enter. For more details about submitting to the National Fossil Day Art Contest, please visit our link: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/fossilday/art-contest-2018.htm.