Canadian sites - Finding Fossils

prioritization

• public can collect there

• difficult/cannot be brought back to U.S.

• natural places where fossils can be in situ

• museums w/ local collections

increased chance of removal, import to US, & ownership

• very common

• low scientific value

• not for commercial use

• low cultural heritage value

• not a vertebrate

• surface collected w/ no tools

affiliations

• local clubs & societies

• museums

• universities

*especially associated w/ paleontology

excursions/tours

legal/ethical considerations:

• may be financially motivated — make sure collecting is legal

• if it is legal, it still might be unethical to remove them

ownership

• some countries/regions may “own” all fossils

• some collectors act as “custodians”

• BE CLEAR about local ownership laws

Hungry Hollow

Hungry Hollow parking

end of the road to the right, west side of quarry

Hungry Hollow bathrooms

no facilities

Hungry Hollow rules

• trespassing & collection — must be a member of CCFMS

  • group field trips seem dated

  • limited info on membership

• follow CCFMS rules & Code of Ethics

• no other rules clear, but surface collecting is supposedly successful

Hungry Hollow search strategies

visual search & rock smashing IF permitted

Hungry Hollow hazards

• sunburn

• incline & loose/slippery ground

• sharp objects

• eye hazards & impact (if metal tools allowed)

possible: poison ivy, snake, ticks/stinging insects

Hungry Hollow items

safety:

• safety glasses

• work gloves, long pants, knee pads

• sun protection

tools:

• rock hammer, chisels, flat crowbar, small shovel

storage:

• bucket, brush, padded envelopes, bubble wrap, towels

Hungry Hollow geo/form/age

Devonian

• Hungry Hollow Formation

  • on top, south side of quarry

• Arkona Shale

  • bottom of quarry up to ~20 ft high

Hungry Hollow fossils

crinoids, trilobites, horn coral, cephalopods

Rock Glen Conservation Area

Rock Glen parking

• close to the entrance is best

• can probably go to other lot by museum

Rock Glen bathrooms

• available during “on” season

• porta potties during “off” season

*think they’re near museum

Rock Glen rules

May-Oct all week

• $4.25 per person

• ONE fossil

• NO TOOLS, digging, or bikes!

Rock Glen search strategies

visual (no tools!)

Rock Glen hazards

• uneven & slippery ground

  • roots, rock/gravel in/around water, wet mud & stones, algae/gunk

• sunburn

possible:

• faster flowing/deeper water

• flora & fauna

Rock Glen items

safety:

• knee pads

• sun protection

tools:

• HANDS!

• tall boots, waders, water shoes

storage:

• hand lens

• waterproof backpack

• padded envelopes, bubble wrap, towels

Rock Glen geo/form/age

Devonian ~350 mya

• Hungry Hollow Formation

• Erosion

  • Rock Glen Falls & Ausable River release fossils from the HH formation

Rock Glen fossils

brachiopods, horn coral, trilobites, crinoids, cephalopods, bryozoans

Burgess Shale Fossil Hikes

2 national parks in British Columbia

• NO COLLECTING!

Burgess Shale

Cambrian — 508 mya

• fossils are found high in the mountains

Burgess Shale fossils

Burgess Shale 3 hikes

• Walcott Quarry

• Mount Stephen

• Stanley Glacier

Burgess Shale fees

Admission: $11.00

Parking pass: $75.25

PLUS the fee for the program

Burgess Shale items

• warm layers & rain gear

• food/water

• hiking boots & poles

• backpack

• sun protection & bug spray

• NO PETS