News Release

Salinas Pueblo Missions To Celebrate Park Fossil Finds With Special Programming

Illustration of a Varanopid

Brian Engh, Paleontological Artist, Copyright License

News Release Date: March 11, 2026

Contact: Mountainair Headquarters Visitor Center, (505)-847-2585

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument is excited to host special programs on March 28, 2026, to celebrate the monument’s paleontology and fossil discoveries.

In 2017, park staff discovered the fossil remains of a varanopid, an early mammal relative that lived ~275 million years ago, 30 million years before the first dinosaurs. Back then, the Salinas region was covered by a warm, shallow tropical sea, where these ancient creatures basked on the coast in the tropical sun, and lush forests sprouted between shifting coastal sand dunes. Following discovery, the fossil was transported to Petrified Forest National Park where it was conserved for display by park paleontologists.

Salinas Pueblo Missions will host special activities for all ages on Saturday, March 28, at its Mountainair Headquarters Visitor Center from 9 am to 4 pm. Visitors will also be able to view the fossil daily at the visitor center.

Programs include:

• 9 am to 4 pm: Junior Ranger Activities for children.
• 11 am: Public Presentation by NPS paleontologist Dr. Adam Marsh at the Manzano Mountain Art Council.
• 9 am to 4 pm: Artists Showcases by the park’s 2024 Artists-in-Residence, who developed original artwork inspired by the fossil.