Fossil Stewardship

Paleontological resources or fossils are non-renewable remains of past life preserved within a geologic context. Fossils have been documented in more than 280 different National Park Service areas and collectively preserve over a billion-year record of life. Fossils possess scientific, educational, recreational, and other values and are protected by federal laws and are an important component of America’s Geologic Heritage

Comprehensive fossil resource management in the National Parks includes several categories of management activities.

Fossil Management Activities

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  Education & Outreach Program
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  Laws, Regulations, & Policies
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  Management & Preservation of Data
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  Paleontological Resource Inventories
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  Paleontological Resource Monitoring
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  Scientific Research & Permits
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  Student Internships & Mentoring

Fossil Management Activities—Continued

[Site Under Development]

• Technical Support and Guidance

• Resource Protection

• Curation & Collections Management

• Training & Continuing Education

• Partners in Stewardship

  • Paleontological Society—Paleontology in the Parks Fellowship Program

  • Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics

• Inter-agency Paleontology Cooperation

Related Links

• America's Geoheritage

• NPS—Geology