Alberta Palaeontological Society

The Meeting Place for Amateur and Professional Palaeontologists

Fossil Sorting

Fossil Sorting Session

Sunday, February 11, 2024, 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Winter blues? You can still find fossils in the dark depths of winter at the APS microfossil sorting sessions on the following Sunday afternoons:

  • January 14, 2024
  • January 28, 2024
  • February 11, 2024
  • February 25, 2024
  • March 10, 2024

We will be using microscopes in room B213 at Mount Royal University (Main Building) from 1:00 until 3:30 pm. We will be aiding the research of Dr. Jessica Theodor and Dr. Alex Dutchak of the University of Calgary by finding tiny fossils in the matrix (soil) from the Cypress Hills Formation (Middle Eocene) of Saskatchewan. APS is 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 (tel. (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. Bring tweezers (with pointed ends) or a small paint brush to pick the tiny fossils from the soil and a pen to label your finds. Parking is free at Mount Royal University on Sundays.

Due to the use of microscopes and the delicate nature of the fossils we’re collecting, there is a minimum age of 12 for all participants.

Under the guidance of Dr. Alex Dutchak (shown lower right), volunteers search for fossils during a microfossil sorting session held on November 5, 2023 Photo by Mona Trick

Location

Room B213 at Mount Royal University