UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20240
http://www.blm.gov
May 15, 2012
 
In Reply Refer To:
8270 (240) P
 
EMS TRANSMISSION 05/115/2012
Information Bulletin No. 2012-079
 
To:                  All BLM Employees
 
From:              Chief, Division of Cultural, Paleontological Resources and Tribal Consultation
 
Subject:          National Fossil Day, October 17, 2012
 
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is once again celebrating National Fossil Day (NFD) during Earth Science Week, October 14-20, 2012. This year, the American Geological Institute’s Earth Science Week theme is “Discovering Careers in the Earth Sciences” that encourages the public to gain a better understanding and appreciation for the Earth Sciences, and to encourage stewardship of the Earth. This theme for Earth Science Week 2012 will boost awareness about the geosciences and the many exciting career and job opportunities in the geological field.  See http://www.earthsciweek.org/ for more information.
 
The NFD was established by the National Park Service (NPS) in response to the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470aaa-2) that requires Federal land managing agencies to create programs that increase public awareness of the significance of paleontological resources. The BLM has made NFD part of its Heritage Education strategy to promote public education about the importance of paleontological resources as part of our Nation’s heritage in order to foster a greater appreciation of their scientific and educational values.
 
National Fossil Day Resources and Activities:  Field Offices are encouraged to participate in NFD by: 
  • Coordinating paleontological interpretive events that may be already planned to be held on or around October 17, 2012, although any event during the summer or fall can be promoted as a NFD event.
  • Inviting your regional paleontologist, paleontology coordinator, or permitted researchers working in your resource area to speak about paleontological resources at a brown bag luncheon or some other event.
  • Giving presentations at local schools about paleontological resources, a paleontological Area of Critical Environmental Concern, or National Monument or other National Landscape Conservation System units on public lands.
  • Conducting field trips to nearby interpreted BLM paleontological localities.
  • Coordinate NFD activities with your local partner museums that hold fossil specimens from BLM paleontological localities. 
BLM National Fossil Day Web Page: You should begin planning your events in conjunction with the NFD as soon as possible. The link will be: http://blm.gov/tdkd or
http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/more/CRM/national_fossil_day.html. If you would like your event posted on the BLM NFD web page, please forward the information to Lucia Kuizon at lkuizon@blm.gov.
 
Be sure to check the NPS NFD web page at http://nature.nps.gov/geology/
nationalfossilday/index.cfm) that highlights planned activities, shows this year’s artwork and logo, contains ideas for holding events and activities (including this year’s art and photography contest), and links to partner web pages.  

National Fossil Day Funding: The Washington Office (WO) has some support funding for Field Offices hosting NFD events. Please contact Lucia Kuizon with your proposals by July 30, 2012.

Other Resources: The BLM's Printed Materials Distribution Section (PMDS) has the following paleontological education materials available in support of your activities: 

1.  PS-003, black and white 17" x 22" coloring poster from the 150th Anniversary of the Department of the Interior: Dinosaurs, America's Public Land Legacy for Children of All Ages (Old No. P-393).

2.  P-406, Fossils on America's Public Lands: A brochure on fossil collecting on public lands. 

These additional resources are out of stock. New versions are being developed at the PMDS, but may be available in your local office or public room:  

1.  P-435A, They Walked Here Long Ago: A brochure on dinosaur tracks and their protection and preservation. This brochure is being updated and should be available next year for NFD 2012.

2.  EE-1011, Set in Stone: Reprint and poster about fossil resources found on public lands.

3.  EE-3002, Discovering Dinosaurs Video Tape (check PMDS): About a fossil excavation in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and paleontological research.  
As the NFD approaches, keep updated about all the events nationwide at the NPS and the BLM NFD web pages. To have your event included on the BLM NFD web page, to request funding, or if you have any questions, please contact Lucia Kuizon, National Paleontologist, BLM WO-240, at (202) 912-7253, or lkuizon@blm.gov.
 
 
Signed by:                                                                   Authenticated by:
Richard C. Hanes                                                         Robert M. Williams
Chief, Division of Cultural, Paleontological                   Division of IRM Governance,WO-560
Resources and Tribal Consultation