Alberta Palaeontological Society

The Meeting Place for Amateur and Professional Palaeontologists

APS members listening to a description of the Devil's Coulee fossil locality

The Alberta Palaeontological Society (APS) is a non-profit organization founded in 1986. Our main goal is to promote the science of palaeontology through study and education. The APS makes important contributions to the field by discovering new findings and responsibly collecting, curating, and displaying significant fossil specimens. We are passionate about educating the general public, sharing knowledge about palaeontological discoveries, and fostering an appreciation for the ancient past.

Moreover, the society is committed to preserving palaeontological materials for the benefit of future generations. To achieve our mission, the APS actively collaborates with professional and academic communities, working together to safeguard and enhance the understanding of Alberta's rich cultural heritage.

The Alberta Palaeontological Society is dedicated to spreading the wonders of palaeontology, ensuring that people of all ages can explore and appreciate the fascinating world of prehistoric life.

Announcements

Surprise Winter Field Trip - Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology Sleep-In! - Deadline Extension

We have some good news! Although the original deadline for registering for the Dinovember sleep-in at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology has passed, there is still room available, so we have extended the registration deadline to October 21. As a reminder, this is a special overnight sleep over at the RTMP which will take place from Friday, November 22 - Saturday, November 23 for children aged 5 - 13 and their adults.

Please note, however, that we have given up our reserved spaces, and from this point forward, registrations will only be accepted as long as there is room. Space may fill up unexpectedly, so I encourage you to register as soon as possible if you’re interested in attending.

If you have any questions or would like more details about the trip, see the field trip page at https://albertapaleo.org/events/fieldtrips.

To sign up, use this form. As space is limited, we are only accepting the first 20 registrants. Due to the nature of the event, only children between 5 - 13 years of age and their adults can be accepted. The deadline for registration is October 21!

Jurassic Park Screening!

An exciting opportunity for people near Edmonton on October 24th! The University of Alberta is showing Jurassic Park at Metro Cinema, with Dr. Phil Currie giving an introduction to the film.

Poster for the event, featuring a stylized velociraptor peering through some bushes

Search for Microfossils this Autumn, 2024

by Mona Trick

Aid the research of Dr. Jessica Theodor and Dr. Alex Dutchak of the University of Calgary by searching the matrix (soil) from the Cypress Hills Formation (Middle Eocene) of Saskatchewan to find tiny fossils. We will be using microscopes in room B114 at Mount Royal University because construction has closed the room we used previously. Join us from 1:00 until 3:30 pm. on the following Sundays:

  • October 20, 2024
  • November 17, 2024
  • December 1, 2024

We are very grateful to Mount Royal University for allowing us to use their microscopes and lab.

Registration is not required, but if you let Mona Trick (cell: (587) 578-4579 or giftshop@albertapaleo.org) know that you are planning to attend, then she can inform you if we need to cancel this session. No experience is required. Due to the delicate nature of this work, only those 12 years and older are allowed to search for the microfossils. Bring tweezers or a small paint brush to pick the tiny fossils from the soil and a pen to label your finds. All of the fossils found will be used to aid their research.

Stay tuned to the December Bulletin for the dates of the microfossil sorting sessions in January and February, 2025, when we will be once again searching using microscopes for tiny fossils.

For more information, see the events page.

A Selection of Tiny Fossils found Dec. 10, 2023 by Atharva Roy
A Selection of Tiny Fossils found Dec. 10, 2023 by Atharva Roy. Photo by Atharva Roy.

Next Event

Monthly Meeting

Monthly Meeting: October 2024

Friday, October 18, 2024 7:30 PM - 9 PM

Main Speaker: Cory Gross will be speaking on “The History and Prehistory of the North American Buffalo”.

Short Talk: Atharva Roy will give a brief presentation on the process of making 3D scans of our fossils.

For more information, see our events page.

Become a Member!

Become a member of the Alberta Palaeontological Society and unlock a world of palaeontological discovery. Engage with fellow enthusiasts, support fossil education, and gain exclusive access to field trips and resources that enrich your understanding of prehistoric life. Join us today and embark on a journey through time together.

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APS Books for Sale

Refer to the Store link on this website for cost, how to purchase a copy and other details. These books will also be available for purchase at our monthly meetings.

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