Friends of NDGS Paleo

We are so close to meeting our t-shirt fundraising goal, so a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has purchased a shirt so far!

There are only 5 DAYS LEFT to get your official 2024 Public Fossil Dig/25th Anniversary shirt. This is the one and only time these Lord-of-the-Rings-inspired shirts will be offered, so get them now for your next adventure!

https://www.customink.com/fundraising/2024-ndgs-paleontology-public-fossil-digs-shirts

Just over ONE WEEK left to purchase your official 2024 Public Fossil Dig shirts!

These shirts also commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Public Fossil digs with a whimsical map of North Dakota in Lord-of-the-Rings-style.

Sales end on September 8th, so don't miss out!

2024 NDGS Paleontology Public Fossil Digs Shirts, Supporting Friends of Ndgs Paleo Join us as we commemorate not only the 2024 Public Fossil Digs but also 25 years of Public Fossil Digs in North Dakota! This year's exclusive shirt, designed by our wonderful and multi-talented Paleontologist Becky, is a Lord of the Rings-inspired map of North Dakota with all the dig sites from past...

Contribute to the advancement of Paleontology in North Dakota by acquiring one of our top-quality 2024 fossil dig shirts.

2024 NDGS Paleontology Public Fossil Digs Shirts, Supporting Friends of Ndgs Paleo Join us as we commemorate not only the 2024 Public Fossil Digs but also 25 years of Public Fossil Digs in North Dakota! This year's exclusive shirt, designed by our wonderful and multi-talented Paleontologist Becky, is a Lord of the Rings-inspired map of North Dakota with all the dig sites from past...

T-shirt time!!! We're not only celebrating the 2024 dig season this year but 25 YEARS of Public Fossil Digs in North Dakota! So whether you attended this year, a year in the past, or plan to come in the future, don't miss out on the chance to own this special limited-edition 25th anniversary design!

The t-shirt fundraiser will only run through September 8th and shirts will NOT be available after that date so don't wait!

2024 NDGS Paleontology Public Fossil Digs Shirts, Supporting Friends of Ndgs Paleo Join us as we commemorate not only the 2024 Public Fossil Digs but also 25 years of Public Fossil Digs in North Dakota! This year's exclusive shirt, designed by our wonderful and multi-talented Paleontologist Becky, is a Lord of the Rings-inspired map of North Dakota with all the dig sites from past...

From age 8 to college, Logan's passion for fossil digging has led him to pursue a career in Paleontology and the discovery of a fish jaw at our Pembina Fossil dig.

At the final public fossil excavation of the season, we are experiencing pleasant weather conditions at the Pembina Gorge. Clint has devised a strategy for the large fish jacket, and we are resolved to retrieve it this year. We displayed an impressive banner in the Walhalla Public Library highlighting Jormungandr Walhallaensis.

You may have heard us talk about the tick trophy? Here it is in all it's glory. Currently Trissa and Kale are tied at two.

The Bismarck fossil dig has concluded successfully after four weeks, with the final week being the most eventful. It was great to see many familiar faces returning to the dig. We extend our gratitude to everyone involved in making this possible.

Week 4 of the Bismarck fossil excavation has commenced, and we are excited to announce the discovery of our third Tyrannosaur tooth.

A collection of bones was discovered in the southeastern quadrant of the quarry, scapula, pelvis, frill?? The flat bone appeared compressed, as if stepped on, some 67 million years ago. The contours of the bones resembled a rollercoaster.

Jeff's sister Alice found the second Tyrannosaurus Rex tooth of the season. A beautiful day at the dig site.

Our Bismarck excavation continues into its second week, with one T-rex tooth already discovered and progress on Blue Berry Hill progressing nicely.

We recently welcomed 60 high school students from Bismarck for a summer biology class field trip. The excursion proved fruitful as one of the students found an enormous crocodile tooth, which was an exciting discovery.

We were finally able to go out into the field with another storm looming in the background.

We’re getting a lot of questions about this so check your SPAM folders!!

Our second day at the quarry site has been incredibly productive. We have uncovered numerous bones at the Rino bone bed, including several teeth, that are shedding light on the history of this region and the animals that inhabited it.

More Dickinson dig day 1. Everyone handled the rain like champs!

Can you believe we are only a week away from the start of field season?!

As we finish up last-minute preparations, we're excited to launch this year's Paleo Pals Membership drive!

Paleo Pals is an annual membership program run by Friends of NDGS Paleo to support NDGS Paleontology and the Public Fossil Dig Program and help us offer as many fossil dig opportunities as possible while keeping the costs affordable for everyone.

Plus you get some great membership benefits!
--One raffle ticket for a chance to win 4 EARLY REGISTRATION SPOTS for 2025!
--Exclusive NDGS Paleo Pal sticker*
--Be the first to know about Public Fossil Dig dates & details!
--Access to members-only events
--Help keep the fossil digs affordable for everyone!

This year's sticker is a Lord of the Rings-inspired map of North Dakota celebrating 25 years of Public Fossil Dig history! You can sign up at a dig site on the day of your dig or through the link below!

https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/ad7af695-d328-44de-9c2a-d6c87a61742f

Field season is SO CLOSE!!!

Paleontology Lab Volunteering
New! Summer opportunities!

Do you know someone (15yrs+) who has always wanted to try cleaning fossils? Maybe that someone is you!

For the months of June, July, and August we're opening up the lab with limited spots for new volunteers. Usually we opt for those that can commit on a weekly basis - but for the summer if you want to try for a day, a few days, weekly, etc., as long as the spots are open, you're welcome to come in.

Volunteers must still submit an application form from the link below. This is a real, scientific, working lab - we expect those working with us to be respectful, careful, and patient.
https://tinyurl.com/PaleoLab

See what's available here:
https://tinyurl.com/PaleoLabSchedule

For more information, please contact Becky at [email protected]

What to expect: We'll start off by giving you a nickel tour of the place - see where the fossils are kept before and after cleaning. Everyone new will start off with basic tools (brushes, dental picks, etc.) to get a feel for cleaning, and to learn how to tell apart bone from rock. Those that stick around longer may get upgraded to airscribes IF YOU DEMONSTRATE good lab safety and practices. What's an airscribe? Basically a mini hand-held jackhammer that can chisel through rock - that means it can chisel through bone too - so you've got to earn that tool.

Great opportunity to learn more about fossils!

Paleontology Lab Volunteering
New! Summer opportunities!

Do you know someone (15yrs+) who has always wanted to try cleaning fossils? Maybe that someone is you!

For the months of June, July, and August we're opening up the lab with limited spots for new volunteers. Usually we opt for those that can commit on a weekly basis - but for the summer if you want to try for a day, a few days, weekly, etc., as long as the spots are open, you're welcome to come in.

Volunteers must still submit an application form from the link below. This is a real, scientific, working lab - we expect those working with us to be respectful, careful, and patient.
https://tinyurl.com/PaleoLab

See what's available here:
https://tinyurl.com/PaleoLabSchedule

For more information, please contact Becky at [email protected]

What to expect: We'll start off by giving you a nickel tour of the place - see where the fossils are kept before and after cleaning. Everyone new will start off with basic tools (brushes, dental picks, etc.) to get a feel for cleaning, and to learn how to tell apart bone from rock. Those that stick around longer may get upgraded to airscribes IF YOU DEMONSTRATE good lab safety and practices. What's an airscribe? Basically a mini hand-held jackhammer that can chisel through rock - that means it can chisel through bone too - so you've got to earn that tool.

Why sponsor a Public Fossil Dig?

We get this question a lot! Why, if people are paying daily registration fees, do we have the Dig Supporters donation program or sponsorships?

The answer is simple... we're looking out for you! It's important to us at Friends of NDGS Paleo that the Public Fossil Digs remain as affordable as possible, especially for North Dakota residents! We could easily raise daily costs to cover the program's cost, but that would price many people out of attending.

Instead, we subsidize the daily dig rates with donations and business sponsorships to help keep the costs low for everyone. Is it working? We think so! Just look at the cost of the program compared to other similar opportunities in the chart below.

If you or your employer might be interested in sponsoring a dig in 2024, you can get more information or sign up here: https://ndpaleofriends.org/sponsor/

Preorders for the Official Friends of NDGS Paleo ammo cans for the 2024 Public Fossil Digs are now open!

🦖 Only 50 ammo cans available for 2024!!

🦖Preorders available until MAY 1, 2024! After that ammo cans will be available to purchase onsite at the digs on a first-come-first-served basis.

🦖Ammo cans come individually numbered with numbered brushes, trowel, and picks – everything you need for a successful fossil dig!

🦖May be personalized with a name up to 30 characters!

🦖Due to limited supplies, ammo cans are reserved for people currently signed up for a Public Fossil Dig in 2024.

🦖Ammo cans may be picked up on your dig day, we cannot ship ammo cans at this time.

🦖 ORDER HERE: https://ndpaleofriends.org/paleo-pals-store/